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  #1  
Old 12-05-2020, 08:07 PM
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2008 X5 3.0si - electrically

X5 - Alpine White - 3.0si

Hi,

Our X5 has had a few battery/electrical issues recently...
See
* We have only owned since Aug 2020 (however, it has been well maintained at Vancouver BMW and Saskatoon BMW). Ever since we purchased the X5, it has always started but the starter has always seemed to turn over slowly (rur...rur...rur...rur....then starts!)
* About 2 months ago, my wife said the clock display and radio needed to be reset. This happened 2 or 3 times. (I believe this is the battery control system shuts down all accessories to save voltage)
* Shortly after that, about 2 months ago, I replaced the battery with a recommended size battery for this X5.
* Starter still turned over the same (rather slowly - no difference from old battery)
* I bought an Bosch OEM remanufactered starter SR0492X - 779 03817 (but I haven’t installed yet - waiting till Xmas vacation when I have lots of time!)
* This morning my wife noticed the battery warning light was displayed after starting it. She turned it off again. I just checked the voltage under the hood and it was 11.25v before starting (that is low, should be 12.6) and then I started it and voltage climbed to 12.5 at idle and about 14.5-15v at 2000rpm.

I am wondering if I have a parasitic draw on the battery that draws the voltage down? She says it starts even slower if vehicle sits in garage for a few days not being used.

I still plan to change the starter because of how it always turned over slow but maybe that isn’t my main issue. Maybe there is another issue causing the voltage drop..?

Things I’ve considered replacing:

* Alternator (but seems to be charge good at 14.5v-15volts?)
* Grounding straps or cables
* Red Battery distribution block that sits on top of battery
* Starter (ordered and plan to replace soon anyway)

What else would your friends in the Service Department recommend? Or have found to a common problem on the E70 X5?

Thanks in advance for your help !!
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  #2  
Old 12-05-2020, 09:43 PM
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You describe mostly a worn starter which can take over double the normal current to start will give all the symptoms described including famously destroying new battery.

You should see if you have a parasitic drain (FSU aka FSR) is the most common culprit.

When changing starter you can disconnect power at the B+ under the hood and disconnect the power cable from the alternator will give you a LOT more room to work to work on the starter connections. I had to do mine in an unheated garage where ambient was just above freezing so I put an electric baseboard heater right under the firewall of the car to heat everything I had to touch at least up to 50-60f and was very ok.
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Old 12-07-2020, 12:12 AM
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Thanks for the information. I agree with you and now I think the old starter might be the biggest draw I have right now. I will also check on replacing the FSU/FSR after I complete the starter replacement.

I have also been researching on this site how to register the new battery - my other option is to just reinstall the old original BMW battery (2016) since I now think the other battery was probably fine.

Regards
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Old 12-07-2020, 09:44 AM
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Get a foxwell NT 5xx scanner it can battery register as well as a a few dozen other things that are critical to proper maintenance of an X5.

If you have a volt meter with peak reading you can estimate the current draw on the starter by measuring voltage drop from cigarette port to to b+ jump point under the hood while starting. I've typically measured about 0.75v drop for a summer time start
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Old 12-08-2020, 10:26 AM
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Agree with Andrew, better troubleshooting than starter swap. Then you know and can be sure to fix actual problem as well as have great tool for later.
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Old 12-08-2020, 12:07 PM
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Though symptoms do signal worn starter, a bad ground or loose but at B+ will have very similar symptoms and changing the starter is a bitch on either M54 or N52. (I've done both this year).
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Old 12-08-2020, 09:09 PM
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11.25v pre-start clearly indicates an undercharged battery, the question is why. It will never be 12.6v but mine is 12.2-12.3v. Losing clock is another sign of an undercharged battery. Address this before changing starter. Put a 10 amp AGM charger on your battery overnight, ~$50 at walmart. Check for any aftermarket accessories drawing power when engine is off. Short trips, listening to stereo with w/engine off, all contribute to discharged battery. Put ISTA on a laptop and run the energy diagnosis. It will identify parasitic loads.
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Old 12-09-2020, 12:38 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LennyBoy1 View Post
............ I started it and voltage climbed to 12.5 at idle and about 14.5-15v at 2000rpm..........
Just noticed this, if 12.5v at idle is typical, then you may have an alternator problem. Check again after you charge the battery. My '08 3.0si is ~13.6v at idle.
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Old 12-09-2020, 03:40 PM
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I was going to comment on that but mine did exactly the same when I replaced my alternator.

If the battery is not well charged at start the lower voltage of bat will hold down the system voltage. It will take a while before normal voltage returns.

They said it should stay down regardless of RPM. If the voltage swings from RPM the VR is not doing its job
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Old 12-09-2020, 11:24 PM
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Ok thanks for the advise I will order a scanner and do some more testing and troubleshooting before replacing starter. I have researched that task and it’s a pretty big job since you need to remove intake manifold and the one starter bolt is a bit of a nightmare to remove.
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