Need help diagnosing starting problem
 

I have a 05 X5 4.4i with 70k miles. The OEM battery is 3 years old. The car never had a starting issue until today in my 3 years of owning it. I made a lot of consecutive short trips today leaving the radio.

-I drove 3 miles, parked and left the radio on for 5 minutes(family left in car)
-drove again 2 miles
-drove another 2 miles and left radio and parking lights on for 5 minutes
-drove again 2 miles and left radio and parking lights on for 5 minutes.

Then car only clicked but would not start. I called AAA and they checked the battery and alternator and said everything was working fine. The car idled for 10 minutes and then drove home. I went back to the car to try to reset the 4x4 light but it only turned once and then started clicking. I have attached the results AAA printed out. They said the battery is still good and the alternator is fine.

Is it the battery, alternator or did I simply drain my battery and it needs to be trickle charged? I often leave my family in the car for 5 minutes with the radio on, am I better off just replacing the battery so we won't get stuck again?

Thanks,

Scott

I know it's never fun, but -every- sort of electrical issue I read about here, the answer begins with, 'can you put in a new battery?'

Trickle-charge for 24-48, solve problem - good.
problem recur? Bad

Clicking screams of battery, so 'can you swap the battery' and see if the problem continues. 3 years is def on the short side, but it depends so much on the battery that you have in (oem or truly matching capability OR whatever wally-world had on sale).. and doesn't 9.9 and 10.17V seem a bit on the low side?

The 'stuck again' factor is obviously your call and budget, mine would be replace with the Best battery to avoid other electric gremlins that crop up when voltage/amp is not perfect (and not get stuck).

Also, search/read about the types of batteries available. I chose optima based upon the usage of those that recommended it, many choose different for their application/usage.

good luck!

I'm not exactly clear on this but the readings say 9.90v and 10.17v. I think a good battery is supposed to read 12v or above.

I could see maybe on the cranking test being lower is ok (10.17v)?

However, if the 9.90v is just the battery sitting there then I believe its supposed to be 12v or above.

The 14v on charging seems to indicate your charging system is fine though.

3 years is definitely short but have the battery checked out again.