Battery Dead. One Head Lamp Left On. Help!
 

Just went out to my 2005 X5 4.8is and discovered the battery was dead.

I tried to put it in neutral and push it out of the driveway to jump it with my wifes car. I decided against that and instead decided to move the wifes car next to the X. While the car was still in neutral I tried to remove the key and the instrument cluster showed something in what looked like a different language. I then proceeded to try to jump start the X5.

After leaving the vehicle idleing for a few minutes I tried to start the X5 but nothing happened. All the instrument lights were off and it was making a chirping sound. The key fob doesn't lock the doors anymore. Did I set off the anti-theft mode? Will resetting the battery cure my X?

TIA

It seems like your battery voltage is so low that it is causing your electronics to act really wierd, hence the one headlight on and the different language on your message board. Also, voltage is so low that it will not even jump start. You will need to charge the battery with a charging mechanism to see if it will actually take a charge. Jump starting a REALLY dead battery will not work. Probably time for a new battery unless there is something draining it or there is a problem with your alternator. How old is the battery you have now? See if it will take a charge.

If all you did is "leave the vehicle idleing for a few minutes"
Then you wont get a start. If the battery is down quite
a bit and your trying to jump you will need to let the idle
go much longer or set up a battery charger.

I just purchased the car so I am not currently sure of the age of the battery, but I think it was replaced recently. I had an XM radio plugged in and I believe that was the culprit. If I were to connect jumper cables to try to revive it (as I don't currently have access to a charger) how long should it need to stay on in order to sufficiently charge?

It could take longer than you would like, possibly a tank of gas from the other vehicle depending of course on how large the other car's alternator is.

The best way to do it would be to take out the battery and bring it to an Autozone or some place similar. Ask them to test it which they will do for free but cannot do it unless it is charged. At that point they will charge your battery for free (it might take an hour or so . . . so plan to run some arrons in the area or come back later to pick it up). Doing this will also tell you the condition of the battery.

There have been some issues with these vehicles where certain components of the vehicle will malfunction and drain the battery while the vehicle is off. First make sure the battery is good then make sure that it was your XM radio that drained the battery and not some other malfunctioning component on the vehicle. And if in your budget, it might be a good idea to purchase a battery charger in case something similar happens again because it sure is a pain the pull the battery out of one of these Xs.

If you're just going to jump start
this is the quick way.

I've seen some jumps take about 10
minutes or more . One does have to
provide more RPMs than just idle though.

In the past we kept our foot on the gas for
5 mins then try to start it . If the engine turns
a bit you know you're on the right track and
you need to keep going for 5 more minutes.

After that it should show signs of wanting to
crank.

Keep in mind that jump-starting it will not sufficiently charge it, it will only get it started. Charging it with the proper charging mechanism (battery charger) is the only way to sufficiently charge it. Jump-starting it and just driving it will not allow your battery to fully charge back up which may shorten your battery life and also make your alternator work. These X's don't have the best alternators on them to begin with. Mine went out at 59K.

Automotive batteries do not recover very well from complete discharge and you will probably find it is time for a new battery... A good battery should run a radio for days without going flat, it is only things like headlights that can drain a battery overnight. Of course if your radio is connected to a 1000W amplifier and boom boom speakers operating at full volume then maybe that would also do it!

However, even with a very flat battery you should still be able to jump start the vehicle if your jump leads are good enough and are connected properly to a car with a similar sized (or bigger) battery... you car basically uses the other cars battery to start and the state of yours is pretty much irrelevant. Make sure the donnor vehicle is running above idle to ensue that its alternator is pushing adequate energy and then your car should should start. If your engine wont turn then the chances are you have poor connections on the jump leads. Any form of poor connection will lead to a high resitance and this will limit the power that you need to crank the engine.

I am using a Scion TC to jump it, so I will assume it is going to take a while.

I think the real issue is the apparant lack of power when connected to the Scion. When I place the key in and turn to position 1, the instument panel is basically dead except for one or two indicator lights (I believe just the seat belt light) and nothin else in the car willshow signs of power.

I will remove the battery and take it down to Autozone today. Any tips on removing the battery? This is my first time working on my X, so any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

check the passenger front sunroof drain, it may have kinked, or something obstucting it. remove the passenger front kick panel and check for water ingress at the Lamp Module.