How did you figure out it will only re-charge to 70%? I saw elsewhere that someone used a GT1 to determine that battery needed replacing.

Any way, or tests that I can run, to determine if my battery needs replacing?

You can pick up a battery load tester like a Schumacher BT-100 (~$40) or BT-250 (~$100). That should give you good information on the status of your battery.

Battery Tester:

Thanks! Have been looking at different models and reviews. Decided to go with the Schumacher BT-100 (as it's cheaper and should still do the job).

If you pull the old battery out so you can compair it to a new one and close the hatch manually the rear hatch is electric so without a battery in it you can't easily get back in the rear to put the new battery in.

Timely Help needed- re: battery a.s.a.p.
 

So I swapped out my battery on my X ('06, 3.0, 115k miles) on Saturday afternoon as a precautionary measure. It was most likely original but not sure as I have had it since '08. Anyway I purchased the battery from Autozone and installed the Duralast H8-DL
Battery | 2006 BMW X5 AWD 6 Cylinders 3.0L EFI DOHC | AutoZone.com.

Anyway, basic install no problems. Then went to a movie with my wife and later to the grocery store and to return home with all successful starts with no issues. The car is parked overnight and I am back in the car around 1 p.m. Sunday to reprogram bluetooth and randomly do a coolant top off. Start up the car, again no problems. Everything is fine. Probably had the engine on for maybe 15 minutes or so, shut off as normal and walk away.

Cut to this a.m. and my wife comes back to the apartment and says the car is dead and won't start:dunno:.

She said that when she turned over the key that everything light up for just a second and then went dead. We attempted to jump it figuring that we must have left a light on or something (again brand new battery and all) but it wouldn't take a charge. In fact, the only thing that remotely light up after a few minutes of a car to car battery charge was the red air bag light faintly in the cluster.

No idea? And what options would you take? I've changed few batteries over the years and this one wasn't special. I don't recall anything odd during the install and I certainly made sure all cables were secure?

My questions are 1) any ideas on what is happening? & 2) what would you do to solve this.

My initial thoughts are to go get a brand new battery, again swap it out, and cross my fingers. Did I overlook something? I am hoping it is not a coincidental timing with some sort of parasitic drain? And if it happens to be would a device like PriorityStart help and should I just install it?

PriorityStart Battery Saver - Stop Dead Batteries on Cars & Boats [Priority Start! Battery Protector]

HELP! (also gonna need advice with the wife after she blames me for the battery install and her missing her meeting this a.m.)

Thanks in advance

(p.s. as this original post was in E70 and battery issues can be universal I'm also going to copy over to E53 to see if this situation may be more specific)

See your post in E53 forum

I just replaced the battery in our '07 E70 3.0 two weeks ago with the exact same one that was in there...a battery that has been discontinued by BMW (they now recommend a 90AH and a 92AH instead of the 100AH that my X5 was originally equipped with). Since I didn't want to recode the car (from what I understand our vehicles no longer have a voltage regulator as everything is computer controlled now ensuring that as a battery gets older it is charged accordingly) nor was I going to pay BMW an arm and a leg to do it, I just did some research to see where I could find the exact same battery locally - and it turned out to be much cheaper!

It is important however, and please correct me if I'm wrong, to "register" a new battery with the vehicle upon replacement so that it knows how to charge it. I can post up a DIY later if anyone is interested.

The battery that our X5 required was a MegaTron Plus/Interstate Battery. MTP-49/H8100 AH. If you call Interstate directly at 1-800-843-0200 they will be able to provide you with a list of dealers in your area. I paid $237 CAD for mine here in Calgary which was substantially less than the $311.65 and the $366.65 that the dealer wanted for replacement ones mentioned above (not including reprogramming cost).

You are correct, you should register it. Love to see a simple DIY.

A

My dealer (OKC) wanted $500 to replace battery, etc., in 2008 X5, but the alternative BMW shop did everything for $259.

Done! :thumbup:
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...tml#post912621