Originally Posted by xDrive35d

Went out to start my 35d this morning and it wouldn't start. It's been 2 days since I started it and the temps have been in the low 20's at night and high 20's during the day for a while. I thought BMW builds cars for colder climates?

In any case, here's what happened. Hit the start button and the little glow wire indicator came on for a second and then nothing. Dash was all on like normal. Then I tried again and I noticed the check engine light was on and stayed on. I waited for a minute or two to see if it would start. Nothing. Tried again and noticed an indicator flash for a second that showed a car on a lift. I went back into the house and came back out a little while later. This time I turned the headlight switch to "Off" instead of "Auto" so that the lights wouldn't be on. This time it started. When I checked the status it showed the car on the lift and said something to the effect of "Battery excessive drain". I lost my presets on the radio and the time. This happened even though the car eventually started without having to jump start it. I will call the dealership tomorrow and see what they say.

I just remembered something that happened the other day. When I was driving the car at night right after starting it, the climate control fan was going up and down when I gave it "diesel" and let off. Like it didn't have enough charging power to run everything. Remember the "old days"? I was running the fog-lights, heated seats on high and the steering wheel heater. I was thinking that this thing has tons of torque and shouldn't have any problem running the alternator. Maybe they put in an alternator that is too low on power?? Or has too large a pulley so that it runs too slow?

This should not even be an issue in this day and age and especially on an expensive high-quality vehicle.

I'm very disappointed in this vehicles lack of an adequate electrical charging system. I can't stand paying this much for a vehicle and having to wonder whether it will start when you need to go somewhere.