Possible Dead battery

[E-BayX5er]

Our 01 X5 is having some starting problems. I thought that the battery is starting to go out. Its 5 years old and that's usually when the battery starts to go out. I took out the spare to check the battery and the bluish green light is still showing. White color meaning time to change and red meaning totally dead. With the color still being green I wonder if it could be the starter instead or the light is just not working right on the battery. About every 5th time you try and start the X it just clicks and you wait a few seconds and then restart and it is fine. If its just the battery I can change it myself but if its the starter I would probably have the dealer do it. What do you guys think? After calling the dealer they told me that it could be the starter and to bring it in. The only problem is the earliest they could take the X is 12 days from now. Is there any way to check to find out if its just the battery?

[J.Seven]

My X also makes this. It try to start, it clicks but no engine start. Then I immediatly try again and it starts perfectly normal. It only happends maybe twice a month so it´s not comun. Curious to hear what others have to say.

J.Seven

[WolfX5]

Yes, likely your battery is dying. Confirm it with a digital multimeter, but a fully charged battery should be putting out well over 13 volts whereas your OEM battery is probably putting out less that 11 volts (which means it's time for a replacement).

Don't let the BMW battery color indicator fool you - mine was bright green while putting out an unusable 10.7 volts. I recommend the Optima line if you're looking for a replacement.

Good luck!

[steelgray]

I have a similar problem (or maybe exactly the same)
You say that you starter just "clicks", mine actually activates and turns for a sub second and then stops, next try it starts just fine.
I ususally wait until the steering wheel has come fully up again before the second try, so that will be a couple of seconds too.
Sounds like the same problem, too much power for the battery to handle at that moment. Maybe the high amp stress from the first try gives it some more juice for the next, and thats why the second works.
Seen someting similar on my old -59 Ford Skyliner with a worn battery.
Time for a new battery?
2002 X5 4.4 with only 28 k miles on it.

[E-BayX5er]

I'm prettey sure its the battery. It never did this before so I wouldn't say it is normal. I'll have to get an amp meter to check it.

[ThrasherFan]

Agree with WolfX5 on this. Just replaced my battery on an '02 4.4i. Indicator light was still green. Replaced with a BMW battery from dealer, but there are alternatives out there from Exide and Optum that I've read are good.

[SuperGreg]

Find a Batteries Plus in your area and get a "Werker" Brand OEM replacement and install it yourself. Battery will probably cost you less than $100.

[TerminatorX5]

Isn't this amazing?!! I think BMW AG puts a timer or something similar into its stuff so everybody would have same problems at the same time - today my '02 4.6is with 96K started clicking and would not start.

I know that this is the battery - when my E34 530 did the same thing, the battery was the culprit, once replaced, the problem was gone.

My E39 528i did the absolutely the same thing when its battery was going...

My X5 was clicking and would not start - I called the AAA but then, after a little while, I cranked the key and - voila, it started. The Fluke digital voltmeter showed 11.4V, probably not enough to steadily crank the engine that has the start-assist.

I drove the car for a little while on the highway in hopes to charge the battery, that did not help much, so I thought that the alternator is not working. Then I noticed that lights would get slightly brighter with the revs and the Fluke confirmed 14.7V while engine was running. Alternator is fine.

These batteries seem to be sensitive to weather and the environment - the other batteries in my other bimmers would go dead once temperature would dip below comfortable level of 50 F or so... It is a little bit chili in North East now (Ernesto effect?) but it is not cold, for we are still in August... . Hence, my theory about the hidden, secret timers inside parts...lol...

All I need now is to identify a correct size/model of an aftermarket battery and go and get it. This thread has the pictures of the aftermarket battery - can SuperGreg let us know the model/size of the WERKER or the OPTIMA batteries, please?

[SuperGreg]

Originally Posted by TerminatorX5

All I need now is to identify a correct size/model of an aftermarket battery and go and get it. This thread has the pictures of the aftermarket battery - can SuperGreg let us know the model/size of the WERKER or the OPTIMA batteries, please?

I can look up the specs. on mine, but mine is for a 3.0i. I know that the 4.6 takes a different battery. All you have to do is call a Batteries Plus in your area. I only found one in your area, it is in Rockville. Good luck!

[chubyball]

I have a 4.4i 2003 with crans amps of 720C. Is it any harm if I get 4.6 2003 with 800c? Also, what is the life time on these batery? How can I tell it is going to die soon?
thanks in advance.