Battery

[RFaber]

+2, the battery is the storage container for the "electricity", the alternator charges / fills the container. even with the draw on it, you should be seeing above 12 volts! (14.4v is a healthy alternator voltage.) i'd get both tested out. when they go, its ugly, and can set off alot of gremlins! youll think you blew multiple fuses, your tranny lights come on, the DSC lights, and a host of others. failing the alternator/ battery check, look for rodent damage in the fuse box areas. (rear compartment by tail lights, and above the glove box) then look at your comprehensive insurance and see if your covered!
my money is on an alternator on its last legs, and then possibly a battery.

[kvc]

How would you suggest checking the battery? Load test by an auto electrician?

[mam4.6]

Yep, any auto parts store or mechanic friend can check it for you with a load test...

[BMWX5CHI]

Originally Posted by Csaviano

Bmwx5chi, I checked here are the results

Car on and in drive with high beam. Rear seat warmers, defrost, high fan and the reading is 12.30-12.58 volts. What should the reading have been?

Have the alternator checked. Might be the alt. I thought my X wasn't going into sleep mode and that was draining the battery. I was wrong. Alt was reading fine while idling. Performed that little test with accessories on and car and drive and turned out to be the alt. in my case. Good luck.

[Csaviano]

Update. Got a new battery yesterday.

Today I drove the car around and finally on my way back from work the a/c and seat warmers started working. Also, the self level warning went away. However, I stopped at the store and when I started driving again, all above didn't work.

I hooked up a meter and with the car on and loaded, it dropped to 12.2-12.4 volts. is it safe to assume it's the voltage regulator?

[mam4.6]

I'd say it's alternator time!

[BMWX5CHI]

Originally Posted by Csaviano

Update. Got a new battery yesterday.

Today I drove the car around and finally on my way back from work the a/c and seat warmers started working. Also, the self level warning went away. However, I stopped at the store and when I started driving again, all above didn't work.

I hooked up a meter and with the car on and loaded, it dropped to 12.2-12.4 volts. is it safe to assume it's the voltage regulator?

Get a new alt. and save yourself the headache!

[14thbmw]

Number 3 voting for alternator.

[Csaviano]

Thank you guys.
Just had the alt. checked by autozone, they said it checked good.
Is their equip. Able to check it properly?

Some of you have stated to replace the alt. I guess my question would be why not the voltage regulator?

[admranger]

Disconnect the battery.

Check and clean the ground wire and positive lead to the alternator.

Check voltages again. If still <13v, then for sure it's your alternator. I'm 99.9% sure it's your alternator, but doing the above won't hurt anything...