Long Story (dead battery) opinions?

[janagler]

I know I don't write often on the boards, but I wanted to share this story and get you opinions.

Tuesday night I left work and headed to the market. When I came out of the store, I tried to start the X, and the battery was totally dead, out of nowhere. I called roadside assistance and they sent someone from AAA battery services. Although he was able to jump the car for me, he told me that his battery meter said the battery was dead and would not start on its own again, but he could change it for me and that he had an X5 battery in his truck. I said, okay, he changed it and that was it.

Used the car on Wednesday, car started right up, no problems.

Then today I tried to start the car. It was dead again, but the airbag light stayed on when I tried to start the car. I waited about 30 seconds and the dome light came on, I tried starting it up and it started, but everything wasn't normal.

The entire instrument panel was messed up. Three gauges worked, the speedometer, temp, and mpg, but the fuel and tachometer stayed on 0 and didn't move. Additionally the entire OBC shut off and no mileage information was displayed either. I confirmed that it had something to do with the computer because on the radio, I couln't use any of the OBC functions either, even the clock didn't work. But the radio and the AC controls work.

Has anyone seen anything like this before? I am going to bring the car in tonight to the dealer and hope that BMW will take car of this, because it seems that their roadside assistance person is responsible. Normally, I would never take my car to a stealership.

By the way, it is an 2002 3.0 with about 45K. Any ideas, suggestion, etc would be great. Thanks.

[Driver8]

I have had battery issues in both my X5s.

My '02 4.4i with the ICE would go dead in a very short time if I listened to the radio with the doors open while drying it from a wash job. (Forget about the overhead video system...it was a bona fide battery killer if watched while the car wasn't running.) The gauges and warning lights would operate erratically for a little while until the battery got recharged, but all would be fine at that point.

My '04 3.0i had only been in the family for a week when I ran the battery dead by having all the doors open while cleaning the interior. I've had to put it on a trickle charge twice in the past month and I fear the battery is going, and going quickly.

I'm thinking it could just be coincidence, but I also think the electrical system of an X5 - ANY X5 - are high maintenance. In your case, however, it sounds like there may be something else going on besides the battery. I'd check to see if there is something draining it down, and also it wouldn't hurt to check the alternator as well. Good luck!

Mike

[X5Flyboy]

Good habit is to make sure everything is turned off before turning off the ignition.

Definitely would have the alternator checked for output and the solenoid. I really wish they would give back the gauges. The next one scheduled to disappear is coolant temp. Real car ethusiasts know what they mean.