Battery discharged what should I do?

[Ron07x5]

I bought the x5 about 2 years ago, it came with a non-function from cigarette lighter port, the rear console on works. So .... I can't plug my
voltmeter widget in the front lighter where the driver can read it all the time.

Anybody know why the front cigarette lighter would be bad, a big fuse somewhere?

I will measure the amperage drain with the car turned off tonight, Over 1amp drain is not good .... should be 1/2 amp I would think.

[ard]

yeah, check the fuse- high likelihood that would be the issue

There are posts here or on bimmerfest that describe the specific and detailed events and timelines that the X5 will undergo following turning off and going to sleep. Unlike cars of 10-20 years ago (or even other current cars) there are circuits hanging on the buss that wake up and turn on and off without any user intervention.... things can happen seconds, minutes and hours after you turn off the key.

How do you plan on measuring drain? Understand that disconnecting the battery is NOT recommended and can cause all sorts of issues....again, search and read.

[the_ulf]

even a 500mA drain would completely flatten a fully charged 90Ah battery within 180 hours, which would mean you park your car at the airport for a week-long getaway and you'll need assistance to get it started upon return. 500mA standby drain is way more than what would be acceptable.

[Qsilver7]

Doesn't the instrument cluster/OBC on the e70 have the capability to be UNLOCKED and various functions of the IKE (instrument cluster electronics) observed...one of them being battery and alternator/charging system voltage?

On the previous generation BMWs...it would be OBC TEST 9...with the ignition turned on...the battery voltage can be observed...and with the engine running...the alternator/charging system's voltage can be observed. If you drive around with the TEST open...you can see if the alternator/charging system's voltage is dipping lower than 12.5 volts...which could indicate issues with the alternator.

Ahh...answered my own question.

Try this link if the video below doesn't work: https://youtu.be/4twRvy20i5A

[Ron07x5]

Well it has been a week since charged up the battery.
The battery was installed and charging system check by bmw in april 2015. The prior battery lasted about 3.5 years.

So now about a week after charging up discharged battery it was again discharged last night, seems the battery is weak or I have a drain of 0.75amps which is too high. I have seen alternator charging at 14 volts under load with high beams and ac on. I have checked for AC current on battery while the alternator charging and do not see AC voltage indicating alternator diodes are good.

I just check "car off" amp drain by using a dvm which can handle up 20 amps inline. I disconnected negative battery terminal, unplugged rear hatch lights to disable draw from them, and measured initially 10amps for about a minute dropping to 0.75amps at total rest. So my x5 is drawing a constant 0.75amps ... if the battery in a 100amp battery that would go for about150hours before totally dead. 6 days of no use and dead battery? this to me means the 0.75 amp draw is too high. What should it be?

I will be chasing who is drawing amps when car is idle tomorrow by pulling fuses. My theory is battery was killed early by constant discharge and recharge.

What should my x5 draw when asleep? what do you think?

[Just Looking]

< I will be chasing who is drawing amps when car is idle tomorrow by pulling fuses >

Yes, please share your findings when available. I am experiencing a similar problem.

Question - Are there 2 fuse boxes in the vehicle? One under the glove box panel and the other on the side of the trunk? Does it make any difference which one to be checked first?

Thanks.

[Ron07x5]

I haven't played with them, I do know some fuses in front box are next to impossible to reach.

Yep I will report when I know more. I also plan to take battery to be tested ... theory is it needs to be replace , having early death by a little drain?

[josiahg52]

I can tell you that my 2011 X5 xDrive35d started up unassisted after 24 days sitting by itself with hardly any difference that I could notice. I've never measured what the current draw is after I walk away but I fully expected a flat battery.

[bawareca]

When the car is fully asleep, at least 10 minutes no activity, under 0.2A draw is acceptable, under 0.1A is excellent.

[Ron07x5]

I put my amp meter inline with battery and after 10? minutes it went to showing 0.1amp drain .... just fine!

So bmw battery installed by bmw 18 months ago was tested at oreilly autoparts and their tester said it is bad.

Oreilly connected to underhood jump-charging point and now I have a check engine with message that there was a significant discharge when the car was off. How do I clear that?

So I guess I need to register a new battery ..... I guess in disconnecting battery for two days to work on oil cooler gasket replace 2+ months ago the battery lost it's registration and then the charging system in last 2-3 months damaged battery?