Won't Start - Battery Low/Flat

[anguswolfendale]

I have a 2001 4.4i Sport, fitted with the in-car phone (communications pack). Unfortunately due to lack of employment, the car is standing on the drive for weeks at a time. I tried to start it today and the starter simply "clicked", the interior lights dimmed but it wouldn't start. I put a charger on the batteries and noted the voltage was only 10.5volts.

I had looked in the TIS and found that there was a known fault with this model and the Siemens in-car phone with cordless DECT handset. Apparently the phone keeps sending a signal on the TelOn line at regular intervals which prevents the radio from going into sleep mode. The continual draw on the battery as a result is 1.2A - enough to flatten the battery over time.

This was a warranty issue at the time but unfortunately is no longer covered after 36months from manufacture. However, the resolution is the fitting of an adapter lead: 61.12.6.916.759 between the plug that goes into the phone module and the module itself (in the side hatch in the boot area).

Defect Code is 84.11.94.20.00 - but this is not shown in teh official defect code catalogue.

[Zulu95]

A 1.2 amp draw will prevent the system electronics from going into "sleep mode" and will draw down the battery very quickly.
Either use some sort of battery tender or disconnect the phone if you are going to leave the vehicle for extended periods without driving it.

[Phr3d]

good info.
psssst.. get a new battery, too.

[paul1994]

I don't want to change subject but for some reason I can't creat a new thread, but i can do quick reply.. so I am going to use this thread since it is similar to my issue

Here we go again. I have had some electrical problems before, but I think I have a battery drain of some kind.

I have been having some problems where i let the car sit after for 8-9 hours while I am at work and then come out to dim lights and possibly dead battery.
I get a Jump and the lights brighten up in the interior and the car starts and I can drive home with no problem.

Trying to figure out what's wrong I thought there could be drain on the battery somewhere. Ipod connector , the NAV not going to sleep, or something..

So i am wondering has anyone else notice that the light on the transmission stays on. I am talking about the little lights on the shifter that tell you what position the transmission is in.

Has anyone else notice if that light stay on or goes off when parked for a while? After getting home and letting the truck sit for 30 min or so I noticed that light was still on and also that the child lock light on for the windows was still illuminated.

Could this be a drain.. and the truck in not going Night Night?

Is this normal?


If anyone has seen this behavior please let me know..


Thanks!

[paul1994]

Originally Posted by paul1994

I don't want to change subject but for some reason I can't creat a new thread, but i can do quick reply.. so I am going to use this thread since it is similar to my issue

Here we go again. I have had some electrical problems before, but I think I have a battery drain of some kind.

I have been having some problems where i let the car sit after for 8-9 hours while I am at work and then come out to dim lights and possibly dead battery.
I get a Jump and the lights brighten up in the interior and the car starts and I can drive home with no problem.

Trying to figure out what's wrong I thought there could be drain on the battery somewhere. Ipod connector , the NAV not going to sleep, or something..

So i am wondering has anyone else notice that the light on the transmission stays on. I am talking about the little lights on the shifter that tell you what position the transmission is in.

Has anyone else notice if that light stay on or goes off when parked for a while? After getting home and letting the truck sit for 30 min or so I noticed that light was still on and also that the child lock light on for the windows was still illuminated.

Could this be a drain.. and the truck in not going Night Night?

Is this normal?


If anyone has seen this behavior please let me know..


Thanks!

Well I took the battery in to make sure the battery was good. It's a Die hard so I took it to Sears and they said it checked out. I put the fully charged battery in no problems. The next day drove it around just fine no problems at all. The day after that i did not drive it and the next morning click...click...click

Does anyone have any tips on Troubleshooting a battery drain?

Thanks to Zulu.. i don't think it is the alternator since it is putting out ~13.8 volts when on.

I just bought a Battery Tender, so I am going to use that as a temporary fix untill I fine the problem

Also where do people measure the milliamps when testing. From the side fuse box?

[JCL]

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...dies-fast.html

Read the whole thread.

[Jeffatpm]

I found I had a blower motor resistor pack that kept the fan on inside the car and drained the battery, but was very intermittent.

[paul1994]

Originally Posted by JCL

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...dies-fast.html

Read the whole thread.

Thanks for replying. This finally shows me how people have done the battery drain test..

Battery Drain

Thanks.. this will be my next step after I charge the battery again.