does a 2001 need to have battery coded into the computer? - Page 2

myeaglescout · #11 11-12-2019, 01:30 PM

If it hasn't caused problems so far, I wouldn't worry too much about it. I think some of the scan tools available can do it, but I'm sure the free BMW diagnostics software that's now available can do it using a cable and laptop, when you find the time and are so inclined, and buy the cable...

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Zulu95 · #12 11-12-2019, 01:41 PM

The battery info is stored in the CAS module. When our '13 E70 CAS module got fried and had to be changed out by the $tealership they, of course, had to program the new module to the vehicle. They coded the battery as a 105AH AGM but did not code in the date code so it shows 00/00/00. As the I_BS system is supposed to vary the charge depending on the age and type of battery you have to wonder just how good it actually is in reality.
For $250 a coding session I think I'll be sticking in a nice big $200 locally supplied battery every 6 years when the first symptoms appear of a failing battery.
The E53 charging system was good enough. I put in an Exide battery back in Nov 2004 that lasted until 2015. Local tire place put in one of their super specials that just got changed out a couple of months ago.
What has happened to modern batteries? You could find 96 month warranty batteries everywhere in the 80's. Even K-Mart!!. Now you are lucky if the warranty is a prorated 36 months.

audiophool · #13 11-12-2019, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myeaglescout

If it hasn't caused problems so far, I wouldn't worry too much about it. I think some of the scan tools available can do it, but I'm sure the free BMW diagnostics software that's now available can do it using a cable and laptop, when you find the time and are so inclined, and buy the cable...

If you're speaking to me, I have INPA, ISTA, and the fancy cable as well as a dedicated Dell laptop just for the purpose. Prefer to use my Foxwell for the majority of diagnostics. After all this time, there'd be no point of registering the battery. One day it'll fail and I'll buy a new one and register it with the Fox.

Zulu95 · #14 11-12-2019, 06:05 PM

When I bought the Foxwell it was because they told me it would fully register a battery. Then I find out it will not change battery type or Ah. It will only allow an older battery to be updated to a new batter of similar type and size. I was ticked by that but it did come in handy to pinpoint the wheel sensor problem a few months ago. That alone paid for it.

audiophool · #15 11-12-2019, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zulu95

When I bought the Foxwell it was because they told me it would fully register a battery. Then I find out it will not change battery type or Ah. It will only allow an older battery to be updated to a new batter of similar type and size. I was ticked by that but it did come in handy to pinpoint the wheel sensor problem a few months ago. That alone paid for it.

Good to know. I replaced my FLA battery with the same type/rating of Interstate as the OE battery. Likely do the same next time. IIRC, the battery cost me C$160 or so.

Qsilver7 · #16 11-14-2019, 12:33 PM

Reading Zulu's post above reminded me of another FYI...battery registration and battery coding gets conflated on the BMW forums as sometimes being the same thing. They are two distinct actions with different requirements.

Battery registration is what you do when you replace an old battery with a like-kind battery. If the battery specs are the same...same AH (amp hour)...same CA (cranking amps)...same CCA (cold cranking amps)...same RC (reserve capacity.

Battery coding is what you do when you replace an old battery with a battery that has different specs...higher/lower AH/CA/CCA/RC. When you install a battery with different specs, then the charging system needs to be coded to work within the specs of the new battery.

Again, all of this is for new generation BMWs that have an IBS, or uses the LIN and/or BSD communication bus.

And when you do get a new gen BMW that requires battery registration or battery coding...if you don't already have ESys or other diagnostic equipment that can do this...the new gen BMWs have apps like Carly or Bimmercode/Bimmerlink that you can use to register/code you battery as well as code many of the things BMW didn't give you access to in iDrive to "personalize" your car's operating/functional options (like comfort close/open of windows/sunroof and folding mirrors and turning off warnings...and other things you can activate/deactivate in many of the car's control modules.

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