High Battery Drain / at my wit's end...

[GPSnV1]

Originally Posted by Hans_ACS

locking it does not solve the problem, however opening the door eg every hour or so DOES imply a higher usage of battery power than when leaving it locked all the time. The car does 'checks' every time a doorhandle is pulled so I can imagine the risk of a high battery drain increases.

Thanks. In terms of frequency I meant like once in the evening but I step in the garage forgetting my key thus the desire to not lock the vehicle.

[jharms]

I did a search and found this thread. My wife's 2007 X5 4.8 has had the High Battery Drain error message a 1/2 dozen times or so. She drives it every day, so no parked in the garage unlocked without being driven possibility. Is this a known issue? Is there a dealer fix? Our dealer just blew off her complaints about this issue.

[Hans_ACS]

There is not really a fix. However, after each maintenance visit, I ask them to reprogram the car, just to make sure I have the latest software version on EVERY module that sits in the car. And there's a lot of modules ....

As to the frequency of the problem : I have encountered it on very rare occasions now (maybe once in 6 months). Leaving the car unlocked overnight and then driving it for a short distance (read : battery has been 'used' by the car during overnight checks, then followed by a short trip which is not really sufficient to reload the battery completely, followed by another period of 'rest'), does seem to increase the likelyhood of having the problem. Once you restart the car though (I always could until now...), the problem seems to solve itself...

It's one of the nasty gimmicks with the E70, I tend not to pay attention to it anymore and I make sure my doors are locked at all times...

[jharms]

Thanks for the reply! Sounds like sound advice.

[rufusdedog]

I have an '07 and have had the discharge warning about 6 times. I've started putting the car on a BMW battery charger about once a month. Typically, if a battery is normally charged, it'll go to a green light in about 10-20 mins. Each time I put it on the X5 it takes about 4-6 hours, charging the whole time. I drive about 30 miles each day, more than enough for a charge. I read somewhere that some newer BMW's were having this problem because of bad or undersized alternators. Anyone know about this?

[X5ED]

Hi Guys,
I also have a problem with a dead 3.0d.. but no signs that there is a high battery discharge... and it just happens randomly..??? Went on holiday for 2 weeks and she started first time... following day as dead as a door nob.. the car will go months with no problems then she will just die twice a week????? we have checked every thing.. and its not cheap.. just thinking if its the bluetooth??? machanic tells me something is switching its self on when the car should be shutting down... I'm now also thinking of buying a battery booster to carry in the car.... its the wifes car and i'm getting a little fed up having to give her a jump start twice a month on top of that now she worried of long journeys...
help.....
cheers
Tony