Battery warning

fmquadri · 04-14-2008, 07:24 PM

Jumped in my car this afternoon to turn on the radio while i finished up some detailing. Got a Battery Level Low warning.

Haven't driven the car in 4 days because i've been detailing it (didnt want to rewash between coats). But i've had my key in my pocket most of the time - anytime i went over the door handles - the car would lock/unlock.

Haven't been listening to the radio at all though and no excessive battery usage.

Strange.. guess having the key in your pocket and being around the car for long periods of time is a drain on the battery.

Just a warning - probably an extreme situation but for those who dont daily drive - be careful!

WCH · 04-14-2008, 07:30 PM

Was the warning about your key or "Excessive battery drain."

The latter message is a well known issue with the '07 and later X5s. There is a SIB out that requires a software fix.

I brought my X5 in last week to have this done after getting the battery drain warning. They determined that my software was up to date but that I don't drive it long enough (mostly city driving) routinely to bring the charge up.

They recommend at least one long drive (>30 min) every week and gave me a charger to use once every two weeks if I don't do the long drive. The charger plugs into your 12V and recharges the battery from a wall outlet.

I asked them if this is for all recent BMWs - the SA said that all new BMWs behave this way.

fmquadri · 04-14-2008, 08:19 PM

The warning was definitely about the car's battery. A big yellow battery symbol appeared on the light panel on the driver side.

Sounds like a similar issue. I dont anticipate having a lot of situations like this, but since I'll be alternating between two cars I suppose its a possibility.

If it happens again I'll see if i can get one of those wall chargers.

It'd be strange to have to "recharge" you car overnight.

Herms · 04-14-2008, 08:26 PM

Sadly, this could be yet another sign (I just read a couple other elsewhere in the forum) of the 335's fuel pump issue showing up in the M3. My car had the light turn on as well...turned out it was an fp issue that was making the car think the battery was low. First sign of a long crank and take her in to get checked out.

drvai · 04-14-2008, 09:08 PM

A lot of cars now a days are very sensible to battery drainage. Many will just cut the battery until you turn the engine on back again.
You don't have to have the radio on to be draining the battery. Just by having the car open you can be draining the battery (accessory systems stay on).

Did you had the car open when you were detailing the car?

Don't know if the new BMW's have a special system, but many modern cars just cut the power until you turn the engine back on (a.k.a. battery saver mode, energy saver mode, etc...)

Maybe that light is indicating that the system went off. (if "basic" brands have it, I'm sure BMW does equip their cars with it).

fmquadri · 04-14-2008, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drvai

A lot of cars now a days are very sensible to battery drainage. Many will just cut the battery until you turn the engine on back again.
You don't have to have the radio on to be draining the battery. Just by having the car open you can be draining the battery (accessory systems stay on).

Did you had the car open when you were detailing the car?

Don't know if the new BMW's have a special system, but many modern cars just cut the power until you turn the engine back on (a.k.a. battery saver mode, energy saver mode, etc...)

Maybe that light is indicating that the system went off. (if "basic" brands have it, I'm sure BMW does equip their cars with it).

Well I considered the obvious possibilities 1) doors/interior lights - but i didn't open the car door more than 1-2 times and for less than 5 mins each time. 2) Checked to see if the outside air circ was on - but nope.. didn't have that on. Not set in the iDrive.

Going on an hour trip up to SF tonight so that should give it plenty of time to recharge. If it happens again - you guys will be the first to know!

WCH · 04-14-2008, 11:13 PM

Sounds like it is the same issue. It is true that it seems to happen if I go away for a few days and don't drive it. I read on the X5world forum that the systems periodically "wake up" and this causes some battery drain. I don't know if I believe it but then again I am surprised to have a battery charger in my possession with instructions from the dealer to plug my car in.

I suppose this is the first step to an electric car!

04-14-2008, 07:24 PM	#1
fmquadri Private First Class 11 Rep 150 Posts Drives: 08 E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Battery warning Jumped in my car this afternoon to turn on the radio while i finished up some detailing. Got a Battery Level Low warning. Haven't driven the car in 4 days because i've been detailing it (didnt want to rewash between coats). But i've had my key in my pocket most of the time - anytime i went over the door handles - the car would lock/unlock. Haven't been listening to the radio at all though and no excessive battery usage. Strange.. guess having the key in your pocket and being around the car for long periods of time is a drain on the battery. Just a warning - probably an extreme situation but for those who dont daily drive - be careful!
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04-14-2008, 07:30 PM	#2
WCH Lieutenant Colonel 347 Rep 1,844 Posts Drives: '20 M8C convertible Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Boston iTrader: (8) Garage List 2022 Porsche Cayenn ... [0.00] 2020 BMW M8C [0.00] 2017 Porsche Macan GTS [0.00]	Was the warning about your key or "Excessive battery drain." The latter message is a well known issue with the '07 and later X5s. There is a SIB out that requires a software fix. I brought my X5 in last week to have this done after getting the battery drain warning. They determined that my software was up to date but that I don't drive it long enough (mostly city driving) routinely to bring the charge up. They recommend at least one long drive (>30 min) every week and gave me a charger to use once every two weeks if I don't do the long drive. The charger plugs into your 12V and recharges the battery from a wall outlet. I asked them if this is for all recent BMWs - the SA said that all new BMWs behave this way.
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04-14-2008, 08:19 PM	#3
fmquadri Private First Class 11 Rep 150 Posts Drives: 08 E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	The warning was definitely about the car's battery. A big yellow battery symbol appeared on the light panel on the driver side. Sounds like a similar issue. I dont anticipate having a lot of situations like this, but since I'll be alternating between two cars I suppose its a possibility. If it happens again I'll see if i can get one of those wall chargers. It'd be strange to have to "recharge" you car overnight.
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04-14-2008, 08:26 PM	#4
Herms First Lieutenant 26 Rep 395 Posts Drives: '15 M235i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: LA. CA iTrader: (0)	Sadly, this could be yet another sign (I just read a couple other elsewhere in the forum) of the 335's fuel pump issue showing up in the M3. My car had the light turn on as well...turned out it was an fp issue that was making the car think the battery was low. First sign of a long crank and take her in to get checked out.
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04-14-2008, 09:08 PM	#5
drvai Major 136 Rep 1,274 Posts Drives: E92 M3 AW Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	A lot of cars now a days are very sensible to battery drainage. Many will just cut the battery until you turn the engine on back again. You don't have to have the radio on to be draining the battery. Just by having the car open you can be draining the battery (accessory systems stay on). Did you had the car open when you were detailing the car? Don't know if the new BMW's have a special system, but many modern cars just cut the power until you turn the engine back on (a.k.a. battery saver mode, energy saver mode, etc...) Maybe that light is indicating that the system went off. (if "basic" brands have it, I'm sure BMW does equip their cars with it).
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04-14-2008, 11:13 PM	#7
WCH Lieutenant Colonel 347 Rep 1,844 Posts Drives: '20 M8C convertible Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Boston iTrader: (8) Garage List 2022 Porsche Cayenn ... [0.00] 2020 BMW M8C [0.00] 2017 Porsche Macan GTS [0.00]	Sounds like it is the same issue. It is true that it seems to happen if I go away for a few days and don't drive it. I read on the X5world forum that the systems periodically "wake up" and this causes some battery drain. I don't know if I believe it but then again I am surprised to have a battery charger in my possession with instructions from the dealer to plug my car in. I suppose this is the first step to an electric car!
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