high battery drain again

[e6t]

i got the message for the first time on my wife's 3.0. it happened this morning.

the x5 is about is maybe two months old.

lots of short trips, but it is driven 10 miles twice a day, every day.

i'll check to be sure that its locked.

it does have an ipod adapter, with ipod always connected. no nav. no comfort access.

[e6t]

this is good. i just called my SA and asked him what could cause the error. he said that it could be the battery in the key and that i should bring it by for him to look at.

[aussiex5]

Since new AGM battery was put in the warning came back, went to dealers again, their explanation was "Carried out diagnostic and found driver's profile infavourable . Sent BMW Puma and have advised battery charger is advisable when vehicle is not in use" I'm glad that I spent over A$112K on my car to be told you need to drive it more and put it on a battery charger when not in use WTF!! They can't get away with this surely?

Mentioned seeing about Jeffrey Yap finding out about alternator, dealer supposedly looked into it but BMW Australia say it has nothing to do with the alternator and won't change it, but advise charger and they won't supply it.

What do we do?

David

[alexmish]

I strongly suggest you check cable-2-battery connections. Mine were loose and resulted in poor charging, as well as inconsistent power draw during start... Ever since the connection got re-secured, i am yet to have the problem again... and my driving style did not change much (short trips ~1 mile during the week).

[e6t]

hasnt happened since yesterday. made sure doors were locked last night.

[Penguin]

Well, as someone mention somewhere on this board, a question outstanding is whether this happens because something is not turning off, or whether it is a slower, continuous process where the battery is not getting enough charge to replenish its discharge, and it slowly declines until one day it crosses the threshold and doesn't work.

$15 would get you one of these:

Amazon.com: Vector VEC008 Digital LCD Voltmeter, 12 Volt: Automotive

Probably available at a local parts store as well.

One could then leave it plugged in for a couple of weeks, and note the voltage of the battery just before starting, and also when the engine is running, it get an idea of whether the problem is suddenly appearing, or if it is a gradual decline.

P.S. if you have a passport 9500ix radar detector, you can also set it to display the battery voltage.

[tim-atl]

Not sure about X5's but many modern alternators don't actually charge the battery until it falls below a certain voltage. Long story short, my father was having a similar problem with his Accord. I kept saying it was that PoS CD changer he bought off ebay but he insisted it was his alternator based on diagnosing with one of those cigarette lighter voltmeters. I replaced his alternator and had him read the insert that came with the rebuild. It fully explained that it will only charge when the battery actually needs it.


Tim

[rufusdedog]

Great suggestion! I've ordered one & will see if it fits in the center console.

[Penguin]

> based on diagnosing with one of those cigarette lighter voltmeters.

Then he wasn't interpreting the readings correctly. Monitoring voltage over time is a quite accurate method to diagnose battery and charging system operation.

P.S. when you said "Not sure about X5's but many modern alternators don't actually charge the battery until it falls below a certain voltage," that is true -- but that is true ever since they started using voltage regulators in automobiles with generators, e.g., since the early 1950's at least.

[tim-atl]

Originally Posted by Penguin

> based on diagnosing with one of those cigarette lighter voltmeters.

Then he wasn't interpreting the readings correctly.

That was my point.

Originally Posted by Penguin

Monitoring voltage over time is a quite accurate method to diagnose battery and charging system operation.

P.S. when you said "Not sure about X5's but many modern alternators don't actually charge the battery until it falls below a certain voltage," that is true -- but that is true ever since they started using voltage regulators in automobiles with generators, e.g., since the early 1950's at least.

I wasn't referring to a voltage regulator. Honda has this function where the alternator doesn't provide a charge when the battery power is sufficient. Probably to save a little fuel or wear and tear on the alternator or whatever. Anyway, details at Meet your ELD - Electrical Load Detector.... - Honda Civic Forum if anyone is actually interested. A link to various lemon laws may be more appropriate Hopefully this is worked out on 2010's.

Tim