Battery Drain - Solved

[BMWX5CHI]

Well the multimeter I got from sears was defective as it would not read amperage. I had to borrow one and found this the multimeter read 03.6ma when connected and after a few minutes it read 01.1ma . I removed all the fuses in the trunk area while multimeter was reading 01.1 ma and no change so I guess it nothing in the back. I'm going to check in a little bit to see if it goes any lower. How many amps are present when in sleep mode ?

[BMWX5CHI]

The X is in sleep mode as multimeter read 0.01 and 0.02 ma. I don't know how much amps it draws with the alarm on but I take it it isn't the alarm. I'm going to take my battery and have it checked tomorrow. I don't think it's the alternator? as it reads 14.1 with the engine running. It went into sleep mode so my only guess is a bad battery?

[omodos]

Originally Posted by BMWX5CHI

The X is in sleep mode as multimeter read 0.01 and 0.02 ma. I don't know how much amps it draws with the alarm on but I take it it isn't the alarm. I'm going to take my battery and have it checked tomorrow. I don't think it's the alternator? as it reads 14.1 with the engine running. It went into sleep mode so my only guess is a bad battery?

0.01 & 0.02 amps you mean? either way this is good in sleep mode, I get 70ma and got it down to 50ma 0.05amps

If you get the flickering battery on the dash you need to get the alternator checked out -had this in our e46 and despite changing battery the voltage regulator (on the alternator) was shot, after replacing this was fine.....

[BMWX5CHI]

Originally Posted by omodos

0.01 & 0.02 amps you mean? either way this is good in sleep mode, I get 70ma and got it down to 50ma 0.05amps

If you get the flickering battery on the dash you need to get the alternator checked out -had this in our e46 and despite changing battery the voltage regulator (on the alternator) was shot, after replacing this was fine.....

Well I had the battery checked and it's fine. WTF. So no power draw keeping the X awake. I charged the battery on Monday then Tuesday morning the starter clicked for a few seconds then started. Could my starter be shot ? Battery is brand new what the hell is going on ?

[bcredliner]

Monitor the alternator as suggested with test 9. The alternator may be charging some of the time and not others.

You mentioned the battery is new. Are the cables tight?

When you try to start it each morning turn the bright lights on and see if they dim.

After you charged the battery overnight did you check the battery amps in the morning before you tried to start it?

Was the battery load tested?

[BMWX5CHI]

Well looks like it is the alternator. I put it in drive applied the parking brake turned on lights heater radio wipers defroster and got a reading of 11.1 volts so alternator is toast if I'm correct. Seems like the light only turns on when your actually driving it. So even in drive with nothing on the battery light flickers. Well time to order one.

[StephenVA]

You are correct in your diagnostics. When the engine is running voltage should always be over 13V

[omodos]

Originally Posted by BMWX5CHI

I went out this morning and tried to start my X. Starter just clicked. Charged the battery for 5 min with my Schumacher automatic charger and she started right up. Don't know what happened. Maybe the rear hatch was not fully closed or the radio was left on, I'm not sure as the last time I used her was on Saturday afternoon to buy groceries.

How could I leave the radio on? Well maybe the volume was all the way down but the radio was still on. I was pretty tired and could of left it on I'm not sure. My radio doesn't power off when you remove the key, it stays on and you can also use it without the key. When I went to start her radio was off but I have noticed that sometimes it turns off by itself with no warning.

Battery is brand new. I'm going to let the battery fully charge and see what happens. Incase it discharges again, is there anything specific I should be looking for as far as the power draw? (If there is one) My shifter light also does not turn off when she goes into sleep mode. It has always been like that since I got her and seem to recall other member stating that their X shifter light also does not turn off. Let me know what you guys think.


(Update)

Alternator is toast. Wasn't charging battery. Got no battery light in the instrument cluster at first. Battery light later started to flicker on and off when in drive. Light wouldn't turn on while in park and idling. Tested alternator by putting it in drive applying the parking brake and turning on a few things such as headlight wipers radio ect. Used a multimeter to check voltage and got 11.1 volt. Bad alternator.

What about the voltage regulator on the actual alternator....

[BMWX5CHI]

Originally Posted by omodos

What about the voltage regulator on the actual alternator....

It could be the voltage regulator but don't want to mess with it nor did I check it. I ordered a Reman Bosch alternator off eBay from a seller I have purchased from before. Good seller, sells Genuine OEM parts. Man did I have a hard time getting to the alternator. Fan clutch wouldn't off come. I even have the fan clutch tool and still wouldn't budge. Nut got stripped.

Water pump pulley broken into pieces when trying to 'Wedge' a screw driver and remove fan clutch as some people have done. I might have over tighten it the last time I took it off, my mistake. Waiting for parts to arrive. Going to add some anti-seize to the treads so later on I can replace the fan clutch in the summer when I do the cooling system overhaul. For now I will put it back as I need my X running as next week she will be in the body shop as result of me getting rear ended in December. Long story.

Bored ? - Read here - http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ear-ended.html

And here - http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...nt-notice.html

[StephenVA]

Bump for many users who are experiencing
the dreaded battery dead in am problem