[X3Bimmer]

I've attempted to troubleshoot and research myself to no avail. I have BimmerLink to review and reset thrown codes but I can't identify the issue cause. The battery is new so my guess is the alternator or a bad module. The alternator is still charging while the engine is running but I don't know if it reverse draws from the battery when the engine is off. Any ideas before I have a shop take a look?…

[brianhinton77]

How new is new? Did you change it with the same type battery and have it registered properly with the IBS? And…….did you have problems with battery drain before you changed the battery?

[X3Bimmer]

Originally Posted by brianhinton77

How new is new? Did you change it with the same type battery and have it registered properly with the IBS? And…….did you have problems with battery drain before you changed the battery?

The battery is only a few months old, the same spec's and registered with Bimmercode.
This problem just started…

[pungo]

How many milliamps is vehicle drawing once it goes to sleep?

[X3Bimmer]

Originally Posted by pungo

How many milliamps is vehicle drawing once it goes to sleep?

I haven't determined the draw rate once it goes to sleep. I'm sure it could be a myriad of causes but I was hoping someone else has had a similar issue to help narrow the possibilities.
Maybe it's caused by comfort access, Bluetooth, a bad module or alternator…

[pungo]

Originally Posted by X3Bimmer

I haven't determined the draw rate once it goes to sleep. I'm sure it could be a myriad of causes but I was hoping someone else has had a similar issue to help narrow the possibilities.
Maybe it's caused by comfort access, Bluetooth, a bad module or alternator…

The 1st place to start is to determine if there's excessive parasitic draw by measuring amperage draw and if there is, isolate which circuit it causing it. There are way too many circuits throughout the vehicle for someone to give you the magic bullet that with resolve your problem. If you don't want to test for excessive parasitic draw to determine if that's the cause of the batt drain, you should take it to a professional.

[X3Bimmer]

Originally Posted by pungo

The 1st place to start is to determine if there's excessive parasitic draw by measuring amperage draw and if there is, isolate which circuit it causing it. There are way too many circuits throughout the vehicle for someone to give you the magic bullet that with resolve your problem. If you don't want to test for excessive parasitic draw to determine if that's the cause of the batt drain, you should take it to a professional.

Yes, I agree. I'll take it to a shop to determine the cause. In the meantime, I have to have it on a CTEK. Even if the battery has a 93% charge it acts like it doesn't want to start the car until a couple of tries while also showing warnings on the dash display.

[brianhinton77]

Originally Posted by X3Bimmer

The battery is only a few months old, the same spec's and registered with Bimmercode.
This problem just started…

Do you have BimmerLink? I know you mentioned BimmerCode. BimmerLink has a Battery State of Charge and could offer some insight. I would also ask you, what kind of battery did you put in?

[X3Bimmer]

Originally Posted by brianhinton77

Do you have BimmerLink? I know you mentioned BimmerCode. BimmerLink has a Battery State of Charge and could offer some insight. I would also ask you, what kind of battery did you put in?

Yes, I have Bimmercode and BimmerLink.

[brianhinton77]

Originally Posted by X3Bimmer

Yes, I have Bimmercode and BimmerLink.

What is your state of charge in bimmerlink?

[oVeRdOsE.]

note that those F series ( and probably others too) draw few watts when not used. I can't recall the exact number of watt, but it was kind of high.

Mine last around 1.5-2 weeks not used in summer time.
And winter time, its around 6-7 days.

I ve to use a battery tender.

Here a place where it draw power. and when I noticed that, it was in the morning and it was -21°C (-6°F) on the thermometer !, no sun, under the car shelter. So few watts are lost there.

[X3Bimmer]

Originally Posted by brianhinton77

What is your state of charge in bimmerlink?

Even when the battery shows a 93% charge, the engine doesn't want to start until a couple of tries and warning lights are shown. Examples of warning lights shown are dynamic stability control, battery discharge and electronic steering assistance.

[brianhinton77]

If the engine seems slow to start , I would look at the Starter…

[X3Bimmer]

Originally Posted by X3Bimmer

I've attempted to troubleshoot and research myself to no avail. I have BimmerLink to review and reset thrown codes but I can't identify the issue cause. The battery is new so my guess is the alternator or a bad module. The alternator is still charging while the engine is running but I don't know if it reverse draws from the battery when the engine is off. Any ideas before I have a shop take a look?…

Ended up being a bad battery cell in an aftermarket battery from O'Reilly's and only 10 months old. Keeping it on a CTEK maintainer only drug the issue out. The replacement battery is an OEM BMW battery which ended up costing the same as the aftermarket one. Lesson learned…

[brianhinton77]

Glad this all worked out…!

[Bdavi011]

Just to add my $.02, battery's are one of the only things I buy directly from a dealership. These cars electrical systems are sensitive, and this goes for bmws even dating back almost 30 years ago (I own 2 e34s). What better place to buy a battery that meets your cars electrical system specifications and demand than a battery from bmw.

Now I am sure you can get a bad battery from BMW and I am sure there are great battery that don't say BMW on them. But I'm still sticking to a dealership battery because they usually last me from 5-7 years on average.

Glad you got it sorted out OP.