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BMW 5 Series - Battery Problem

35 messages,  Last post on Mar 20, 2013 at 5:58 AM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 5 Series, Electrical

Messages Page 2 of 4

#5 of 35 Re: BMW 5 Series - Battery Problem [roadburner] by m1c1

Jan 18, 2010 (12:46 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Jan 03, 2010 9:36 am)
Hello,
  
I'm experiencing the problem that you've discussed. I bought my 530 BMW (2004, premodel) several years ago, and have experienced my fan turning on during random times as I drive. I noticed a lagg when I turn the ignition, and then in October of last year, my car battery just died. I took my car into a shop that works on only BMWs. After doing some research, I learned that the final stage unit can cause the climate control to act improperly. So when the shop told me the problem was my battery, I questioned them. They said that the problem did not act up when they had my car, and they did not find a draw. I bought a brand new battery from them and went on my way.
  
However, when I took it home, I noticed that the fan did not turn on when I drove it, but instead the fan turned on when the car went to sleep mode. So when I started the car, the fan would be running. I took it back to the shop, they checked it again, and they said that it was blower motor resistor. I was upset that they didn't diagnosis it before and had me buy a battery. I wanted to get a second opinion, and took my car to the BMW dealer. I told the dealer my problem and the technician said it's probably the blower motor. But after they looked at it overnight, the service writer said that they found no draw. This is quiet perculiar to me because my battery keeps on dying. The dealer said that I needed to buy a brand new BMW battery....I told them there is no such thing and there are only a few battery manufactures that everyone buys from.
  
So my car is still not fixed, and my brand new battery is completely dead and has to be jumped. I'm waiting for the new BMW recall list this month hoping the final stage will be on there. Do you know why I'm getting the run around from these companies? It's ridiculous how my problem points to the final stage unit, and the dealer is trying to sell me a battery I don't need. Any advice on what I can do?

#6 of 35 Re: BMW 5 Series - Battery Problem [m1c1] by roadburner

Jan 21, 2010 (5:13 pm)

Replying to: m1c1 (Jan 18, 2010 12:46 pm)
If you have an E60 5 Series have the shop check the Intelligent Battery Sensor(IBS) which is part of the negative battery cable.
If it's an E39, replace the FSU yourself.

#7 of 35 BMW 5 series battry issue by professor6

Jan 27, 2010 (9:38 am)

I have a 2008 535i that is driven short distances to and from work (about 5 minutes each way). The clock sometimes loses its setting, and the BMW technician and BMW's help line both tell me that I need a trickle charger. (They replaced the battery-not a gel filled one-once, and that worked for a few months.) The charger is variously described as 'trickle with auto shut off', 'maintenance charger', and 'float charger'. I am prepared to purchase one, but I prefer to stay away from BMW's private brand ($$$).
 
Anyone with any experience with such a charger?
 
Thanks.

#8 of 35 Re: BMW 5 series battry issue [professor6] by james27

Jan 27, 2010 (3:56 pm)

Replying to: professor6 (Jan 27, 2010 9:38 am)
If they've determined that the battery connections are clean, the alternator is working properly, and the battery is not defective, then any 12v battery charger with a trickle or automatic setting should work. If the 12v outlet is always on, and not switched with the ignition, you can get one that plugs into the cigarette lighter socket. Those are often limited to about 1-2 A, and may not be enough to recharge the battery overnight. ANother thing that should be checked is a leakage or load test to determine if something is not shutting off properly when it should, and thus drawing the battery down. The alarm and clock circuits are the only things that might draw much (and not much) power while the car is off after it has cooled off. The cooling fan on some cars can run after shutdown, but there aren't many other things that do run that draw any significant power. A simple lamp that stays on for some reason can draw a battery down overnight.

#9 of 35 Re: BMW 5 Series - Battery Problem [bizzymum] by id4yuxian

Feb 04, 2010 (1:05 pm)

Replying to: bizzymum (Jan 03, 2010 5:00 am)
I have 2008 550i and have been having the same exact issues with my car as well as with the BMW service center. They replaced my battery after much complaining by me and out of "good faith". I stated to them all these issues in previous posts and they treated me like a fool. I did not appreaciate my experience with them so far. Don't expect to have anything fixed by them.
 
I have been looking into solar trickle chargers but I'm not sure if it will solve your battery problem. I'm still trying to find a cheap resolution to keep my battery from draining. However, according the BMW service center rep, I have to drive my car 45 miles A DAY to maintain the battery charge. That's ridiculous.
 
So far, I have good luck driving my car once every two weeks for a 1/2 hour. 50% of the time i have to redo the clock and date (which I should not have to do).
 
Anyway, my point is I know exactly what you are going through and been told a solar trickle/maintainer might help.

#10 of 35 Re: BMW 5 Series - Battery Problem [id4yuxian] by james27

Feb 04, 2010 (4:21 pm)

Replying to: id4yuxian (Feb 04, 2010 1:05 pm)
If you know how to use a multimeter, you could check the current draw on the battery when everything is off. My guess is it is probably in the low hundreds of milliamps. If it is higher, try pulling fuses to try to isolate what is drawing the power. Many multimeters can measure up to 10A, so don't turn on anything or try to start it, or you'll blow the fuse in the meter. If you can set the interior lights to not come on, do that.
 
Any courtesy lamp that doesn't turn off (trunk, glove box, footwell, engine bay, lighter, etc. can, over time, draw a battery down.

#11 of 35 Re: BMW 5 series battry issue [james27] by professor6

Feb 06, 2010 (1:09 pm)

Replying to: james27 (Jan 27, 2010 3:56 pm)
A belated thanks for your response to my 27 January post. I am comfortable with the BMW technician who says that he has checked the battery, alternator, and has also checked for any abnormal electrical leaks. I have looked for any lights that might be on after the car is shut down (including disconnecting the trunk light), and I don't think that is the problem.
 
I contacted Schumacher, who makes several models of trickle chargers, and they recommended one that they make for Sears. I purchased this unit ($30.00), and it is basically fool proof. Of course, how long it will last is another question.
 
Thanks again for your input.

#12 of 35 Electrical problems with 2008 BMW 535 by jim367

Feb 10, 2010 (2:55 pm)

Has anyone heard of reports of water leakage and electrical problems with 2008 535's? I have the wagon and apparently water leaks in through seals in the sunroof and, instead of draining as designed, water flows to the "trunk" area where all of the electronics are located. The result is a complete electrical short and failure (we're talking TPM, airbags, ABS, level systems, etc). This has happened to my vehicle 3-times in an 18-month period and BMW has been less-than-helpful. I'm interested in learning if this is a common problem with this make/model/year or if I just have a bad car.

#13 of 35 Re: BMW 5 series battry issue [professor6] by jkaudia6

Feb 24, 2010 (12:58 pm)

Replying to: professor6 (Feb 06, 2010 1:09 pm)
Greetings Re: BMW 5 series battery issue [professor6]
 
I've read through most of the thread on your electrical problem but one thing is not clear to me.
Are you talking about the interior ventilation fan or the engine cooling fans?
To the point, the engine cooling fans are thermostat activated and will run if the sensors say the motor/water temperature is to high.
Many good ideas posted here but one that no one touched on.
The interior lights are activated by a switch on each door. Many years ago this was
a small button style switch located near the door hinges. In Particular BMW has gone to a "Door guide switch" to activate the interior lights. I'm speaking about that black & aluminum bracket located on the C Post between the front & rear doors.
Check those to insure the switch portion is working correctly.
There is also a gas cap door switch which I believe is electrical, make sure that's in working order. You may have to pull the trunk side panel out to get to the switch
and related wires.
One last area! I had a 1990 BMW 5 series and found a bunch of electrical relays located under the rear seat bottom. Good place to look and check for loose connections.
Battery trickle chargers are great little device. I'm not sure why I should have to buy one of those for an automobile, made in Germany, that cost $40K or more, but that's me.
Good luck with those electrical Gremlins.
Best Regards
JKAudiA6

#14 of 35 Re: Electrical problems with 2008 BMW 535 [jim367] by 5series

Mar 09, 2010 (11:11 pm)

Replying to: jim367 (Feb 10, 2010 2:55 pm)
 
>--Electrical problems caused by water damage in trunk
 
I have a 2006 530 wagon (with 46,000miles) that has the same exact problem. Brought it to Dinan and the tech is still trying to figure out the extend of the damage and the cause of it all. So far, he's found 5 panels in the trunk area all rusted and corroded, an puddles of water under the spare tire and battery. He need to first replace these to check further since the computer is not communicated all the way through for fault codes. My I-drive is also dead. Unfortunately the warrenty expired 11/09. The dealer tells me it's not a common problem at all (of course not). Is your problem fixed? What was the cause and cost for repair? Thx much!

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