Am I just unlucky? Or is this a problem
 

So, just replaced my battery from the OEM one with a duralast from autozone. Worked perfectly. I replaced it because my battery kept dying on me after letting the X sit for a couple days.

So fast forward to now (only a week since I installed the battery). My X has been sitting since Tuesday night, went out this morning to start her--NOTHING. Radio, and everything else was on, no problem...

I got a jump, everything was fine and it's been starting up fine. So I ran over to autozone to let them check my battery, alternator and starter with their diagnostic tool--all checked out 100%.

I did not leave any electronics on or plugged in while my car sat. Am I unlucky--Aka having this be a freak occurrence, or do u think there's a real problem?

Read about sleep modes and all.

Interesting. I'll have to check the indicator light on my shifter when I go back out to my car.

How do you fix this if it's in fact not going into sleep mode? Just dealer programming?

You have a slow drain on your battery from something such as an aftermarket navigation or stereo system or something for a phone... Or worse, something related to an electrical issue with your X5. Bottom line, you'll need to troubleshoot this yourself or take it to a reputable shop or a STEALER.

Good luck.

What I have is a dice iPod integration--never leave my iPod plugged in. I also have a valentine 1 radar detector plugged in, that I always turn off--so it shouldn't be drawing power...

Electrical gremlins? Shit

Have you replaced the FSR? Final stage resistor?

I have not. just did a search on them--seems to be a common problem.

WAIT, THIS definitely is the problem. i feel like i have heard a "buzzing" from inside my car when its off. what do you think?

the only thing is that i can still control fan speed when the car is on, it'll get higher and lower when i adjust it... could the FSR still be shot?

I had my battery die. I've got a great indy shop here in hamilton ontario (beech motor works).
When I needed a new battery, they did a "parasitic draw test". This checked to be sure that alt was working properly and nothing was drawing when it shouldn't.
These guys are bimmer nuts and the ownder and 2 shop guys have x5's. Some of their techs also have bmw training from europe. Drop em a line.

Wolf

As others have said, if there is too much of a current draw then the vehicle won't go into sleep mode, and thus consumes more power, which can lead to a flat battery.

However, the shift indicator light staying on does not mean that it is not going in to sleep mode. Mine stayed on for more than four years, never had a flat battery with regular four week stays in parking lots.

Search for a post by killcrap that documented that it is normal for that light to stay on with some vehicles.

Always the best info from you!

Anyway, when i headed down to my car tonight, the shift light was off. But as soon as i got in, i noticed the buzzing sound from my dash area. I'm not sure if that went on just because i unlocked the doors and got in, or if it was on the entire time. I guess the only way to find out is going to the dealer, or sitting in my car with the doors locked for 20 minutes :dunno:

I'll be heading down to jersey next weekend, will get it checked out. I'll keep the forum updated

Try pulling the fuse for the a/c or better yet unplug the fsr and see if the battery stays alive overnight...

if the situation is intermittant and the blower resistor is suspect, try putting the blower speed to the lowest setting with the engine running for 20 minutes. This will cause a failing FSR to overheat, and stay on perminatly. Switch off the ignition and check for draws.

Ok, i just talked to my dealer. They said my FSR was replaced in May of 2009..

COuld it have failed again that quickly?

looks like i'm in deep here..

sure, most of the times, the wiring harness connector is melted/burnt off at the final stage. if it was replaced in may of 2009, it would be a parts warranty.

killcrap... just wanted to say thanks for the posts man, here and throughout the board. I know they've been helpful to me.

Naz, good luck with the resolving the fault. If it's any consolation, I have a FL window regulator to attend to today.

Thanks guys!

And +1 on killcraps posts. I'm going to get this figured out this weekend/next week. My car is already going to the dealer for the BMWNA rep to look at my rust.

Time to get an e70! Haha

I have an 02, that I just recently purchased (popping my cherry with this post hehe) Had a couple of minor little bugs that I took care of but its been otherwise a really awesome vehicle that is until yesterday. Had the same problem as Naz walked outside jumped in and nothing, gave it a boost and was fine all day chucked it up to maybe leaving a door open or something, this morning, same thing no juice at all drove to autozone and they said battery is bad, replaced it and hopefully tomorrow it will be ok. funny thing, old battery looked practically brand new. anyway just thought I would chime in on this issue.

Great site guys tons and tons of useful info.

Naz... I got my x5 back monday and it ended up that my bluetooth module was draining my battery. I had the module removed and all has been normal again. I don't have the bluetooth capabilities but I barely used the bluetooth anyway. Maybe look into that... Good luck!

Dealer replaced fsr Under parts warranty. Still having the issue. They think it may be the ignition switch. But that's not sitting with me well bc the car started after i would get it jump started. Unless it's just ironic that everytime I jumped it, the ignition switch decided to work. Hmmm

Ohh and it wouldn't start unless the person jumping my car would rev theirs. Is this just ironic? Bc all other electronics turned on when I turned my key even before the jump. Maybe it is ignition switch?

Naz24 - I went through something similar for the last three weeks, battery dead, replaced with new one from Autozone that died after 2 days, got the car jumped , checked charging system all came ok, dies again overnight, bought charging system from autozone ran it for 4 hours, car started fine after that, died again over night, charged again but this time nothing, tried to jump start it .....nothing, by now i knew it was something draining my battery real bad.....I went to autozone replaced the battery from before (5 day old) with a new one, took it to the stealer and after a week of draw tests and $$$ they found out that the draw is from my DVD system (which was'nt even on for like 6 months not sure if the first battery change started something i was not aware off)...i've had the car for 4 days now and no issues yet.
I'd suggest pulling out any aftermarket stuff first and if it does not work only then consider the stealer.(sry for the long post)
I hope it works out for you.

Thanks for the suggestion jbny

unfortunately i dont have any aftermarket stuff besides a DICE thing, which couldnt pull power without my ipod in.

I wonder what it is... keep u guys updated

what is the voltage drop of the starter when it is happening?

Hello guys! I have the same battery drain problem on my 2000 4.4X5 (i bought last nov 2010).

I replaced my battery twice. the first one lasted for 4 months. The second new battery is now just more than a month old and now getting weak. I had my alternator checked few days ago and found to be ok.

Possible reasons to my battery drain which i found out are as follows:
1. Rear plate lights housing at gatelift are filled with mud. the cables were wet. - i replace the gasket of the gatelift which were worn and allows water to enter.

2. Foolish me, only recently found out that i have a phone that is charging all the time. - detached the phone and removed the fuse.

3. Two weeks ago my speedometer stopped working. So i ordered the sensor for my rear left wheel and received it only yesterday. This morning i removed my rear left tire to replace the speed sensor and was surprised to see one of the cable to the sensor was broken and the cable insulation were badly deteriorated. The bare cables were also touching the metal cover of the brakes. After i replaced the left sensor, i checked the right side by inserting my hand thru the mags and felt that the cable of the other sensor are also bare and touches the metal surface. My speedo is now working but tommorrow i will remove the right rear sensor and try to tape the bare cable as temporary remedy, and order new sensor again.

4. Thanks this forum, now i have to look on replacing my FSR also.

Hope that this will help you guys with same situation.