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BMW 3-Series Starting Problems

95 messages,  Last post on Mar 12, 2013 at 11:47 PM

You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 10 of 10

#86 of 95 DIY Battery replace by 55396

Feb 09, 2013 (12:53 pm)

Replying to: tggary (Feb 08, 2013 7:44 pm)
Here is a You Tube video on replacing a battery in a 2001 E46 but gives you the idea. $120.
 
link title

#87 of 95 Battery for 2006 330i E90 - by tggary

Feb 09, 2013 (2:08 pm)

155 bucks plus core if I go to Autozone, 248 plus 120 labor plus taxes if Stealer...

#88 of 95 Re: 2006 BMW 330i starting issues [kyfdx] by 55396

Feb 09, 2013 (9:53 pm)

Replying to: kyfdx (Feb 09, 2013 11:21 am)
$90 to $142 here but I didn't check details.
 
https://www.google.com/search?tbm=shop&q=battery+48/H6#q=battery+48/H6&hl=en&tbs- =p_ord:p&tbm=shop&sa=X&ei=nCUXUe3vFKTR2QXSvIHAAQ&ved=0CC0Quw0oAQ&bav=on.2,or.r_g- c.r_pw.r_qf.&bvm=bv.42080656,d.b2I&fp=d3ac23762ef5e591&biw=1014&bih=548
 
More things I found.
 
I believe that Johnson Controls is phasing out the old group 48 battery and replacing it with this design, designated as an H6 battery. At least the Wal-Mart battery catalog says that the group 48 battery is being phased out. No stock on the old-style group 48 battery at either Wal-Mart here, only the newer H6 battery.
 
That design has shown up at Wal-Mart. It says "Distributed by Johnson Controls" on it. I've seen that design before; it looks like a Varta battery (Varta is owned by Johnson Controls).
 
Varta is a major OEM for the German car companies. Almost every Audi I've ever seen had one installed at the factory.

#89 of 95 Re: 2006 BMW 330i starting issues [55396] by fedlawman

Feb 10, 2013 (9:51 am)

Replying to: 55396 (Feb 09, 2013 9:53 pm)
I went to sears last summer and bought their gel battery for my 318i. It's made by Odyssey and has excellent reviews as well. I think I paid about $150 and I installed it in the parking lot.

#90 of 95 Re: 2006 BMW 330i starting issues - TGGary by tggary

Feb 10, 2013 (12:41 pm)

Replying to: 55396 (Feb 09, 2013 9:53 pm)
Last night it went to 18F and at 2 P.M. 30F the car started up with only one slow crank and two fast ones - first my wife helped me with seeing the color code in the indicator eye, and she says it's dark black (I must have been focusing on the clear around it... So should that mean it will be okay for now as long as I keep it charged up, or should I be replacing - Advanced Auto Parts has a Gold high cold amp battery for 135 for the 2006 330i Sedan, and a guy across the street from them has a scanning tool for install he says - quoted 20 bucks. Drive with black or replace now for hundreds better than Stealer?
 
TGGary

#91 of 95 Update: Re: 2006 BMW 330i starting issues - TGGary [tggary] by tggary

Feb 12, 2013 (11:17 am)

Replying to: tggary (Feb 10, 2013 12:41 pm)
Today when weather cleared here in NYC area I went to Advanced Auto parts - they tested the Battery and the readings while car off: Voltage: 12.49, CCA Measurement: 497 CCA, Battery Rated: 640 CCA
 
Results: Battery Is Good., Low on charge, Charge Battery. Check for causes of low charge: Charging System/Alternator, Alternator Belt, Cables and Connections.
 
I do take too many very short trips and haven't driven it much on the highway for months, so that could be the issue.
 
So, after the highway drive to AAP, car started right up and I drove it across the street to get it charged. Ofcourse, a slow trickle is the best bet so we discussed it and agreed a charger purchase would be best. Called BMW of Bayside - want 145 bucks for a 2 hour charge (not even a slow charge) and 145 bucks to get the radio code which is gone somehow (bought it at an Infiniti Dealer with 3rd Party 100K/5 YR Warranty). At Bayside BMW they charge and charge like thieves and are slipshod besides as I have written up on other sites.
 
Looking for the right charger for the 2006 BMW 330i - the C-Tek 3300 may be it? If so, can I hook it up in the engine Bay? Is there an alligator clamp version to make it simple?- as I don't want to disconnect the battery due to the Radio Code problem...another Thread says you can press "M" on Radio for 10 seconds and it brings up the Serial Number, then call different BMW's until you get a real human being on the phone for your code...
TGGary

#92 of 95 Re: Update: Re: 2006 BMW 330i starting issues - TGGary [tggary] by 55396

Feb 12, 2013 (1:24 pm)

Replying to: tggary (Feb 12, 2013 11:17 am)
Now you're doing it right. I wouldn't go to that rip off dealer for anything. Unfortunately, that's probably the play book for most. You do not need a dealer for most things, . They operate on the knowledge that people who buy these cars have the money and a lack of lack of understanding which allows them to easily be ripped off. On the other hand, they have a fancy, possibly lower volume dealership with lots of overhead and people to wipe your ass, so to speak, and someone has to pay for that. You know they are going to keep their profit margin no matter what.
 
BTW, you can go to Harbor Freight and get a trickle charger for about 5 bucks when on sale, which is frequently. $145 for a charge? Almost criminal. I'll bet they even said that with a straight face too. That would be the first and last time I would grace their doorway.

#93 of 95 Re: Update: Re: 2006 BMW 330i starting issues - TGGary [55396] by tggary

Feb 12, 2013 (2:08 pm)

Replying to: 55396 (Feb 12, 2013 1:24 pm)
55936, I just got the Serial Number from the Radio by pressing "M" for 10 seconds like thread said - now I have to warm up my sales pitch to get a BMW tech to give me the code - I'll bet there's plenty of decent ones out there who can help who don't just care about overcharging customers...Serial Number is: AL900150476142
 
Can anyone pull up the code for me?
 
TGGary

#94 of 95 Re: Update: Re: 2006 BMW 330i starting issues - TGGary [55396] by roadburner

Mar 12, 2013 (9:05 pm)

Replying to: 55396 (Feb 12, 2013 1:24 pm)
Unfortunately, that's probably the play book for most. You do not need a dealer for most things, . They operate on the knowledge that people who buy these cars have the money and a lack of lack of understanding which allows them to easily be ripped off. On the other hand, they have a fancy, possibly lower volume dealership with lots of overhead and people to wipe your ass, so to speak, and someone has to pay for that. You know they are going to keep their profit margin no matter what.
 
I am extremely fortunate to have a dealer that charges a fair price for high quality work. My service advisor has an E36 M3 HPDE car and also shares my love of Triumph Motorcycles. And I still get a BMW loaner and a nice waiting area.

#95 of 95 Re: Update: Re: 2006 BMW 330i starting issues - TGGary [roadburner] by 55396

Mar 12, 2013 (11:47 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Mar 12, 2013 9:05 pm)
Ah, Triumph. I had a Bonneville that I raced at the drag strip. Now have a Ducati and a Honda VTX 1800. I've had multi's but guess I like the twins.

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