Battery Died

[x52006]

Hi All,

My battery just died so I got a jump and when i started the X back up the gas gauge and clock won't work, and none of my settings will change, any suggestions? Is my computer fried?

Thanks

[motordavid]

Hard to know, but I assume you used the under hood lug connection for jumping...
When any of us have swapped out the old battery, some of us have had to turn key on/off a couple times, or drive a little bit, or do the turn wheel lock to lock move.
One of those actions usually gets everyone's data back up...
GL, mD

[x52006]

Thanks David, i just tried that now when i turn on the X the gas gauge is going crazy, but the on board computer is still not working. I am going to buy a fuse tester kit and see if those are all working. I am hoping it is nothing worst.

[X5Flyboy]

ditto - I think all X5 owners have experienced this - the X5 is an electrical hog - I try to miminize this by making sure everything (heater/ac, radio, lights, radar detector, wipers, etc) is turned off before turning off the key - even then 5 years and it's replaced - cold kills batteries and you have experienced a cold winter with an old battery - try what MD said - it takes a few minutes for the OBC (onboard computer) to reset evereything, usually

a good rule of thumb, no matter what your car is, over 4yrs, with winter approaching, replace - granted, a heated garage helps, but having lived in NJ most of my life, most of you don't remember when winter was WINTER

Oh, you have also had your antifreeze checked or replaced by now..., right? if you have a V8, there are two 30mm coolant hoses behind the engine that should be ready to be replaced also

[motordavid]

x52006,
And, from my fading memory, I seem to recall some posters doing a total unhook, meaning disconnect the batt at neg, let sit a couple mins, and reconnect.
I realize that it's not handy getting to the buried batt, but it reads like you are going to need a new batt anyway. A new batt may also cure your current glitches,
but that's just a guess.
GL, mD

[Quicksilver]

Originally Posted by motordavid

x52006,
And, from my fading memory, I seem to recall some posters doing a total unhook, meaning disconnect the batt at neg, let sit a couple mins, and reconnect.
I realize that it's not handy getting to the buried batt, but it reads like you are going to need a new batt anyway. A new batt may also cure your current glitches, but that's just a guess. GL, mD

Electrical Gremlins do pop up when the Batt decides it's had enough.
Mine died in the garage but I didn't jump it at all. I just let it set until
I replaced it a few days later. Reset a few things and did the steering wheel trick and so far "all good".....

[x52006]

Ok so I tested all of the fuses and they all work, looks like i am going to have to get a new battery tomorrow and hopefully that will do it. As of right now, the gas and rpm gauges are not working, temperature reads in celcuis and the clock doesn't come on. One of the guys in the store said to test the fuse under the hood. I wasn't aware there were any under the hood but i'll do some reading and find it.

Thanks

[x52006]

Actually i have turned the X off and on about 5 times after i jumped it and it seems fine. Shouldn't the Gauges and on board computer come back if it was the battery?

[x52006]

Sorry but i read on here that disconnecting the battery and reconnecting. How do it disconnect the battery?

[lad740]

whats the steering wheel trick?