Battery Replacement - Warning signs

[Stronie]

Hey, Ya'll.

I getting a battery replaced on my 2009 BMW E90 M3. I want to create this thread to see what other warning signs that everyone else has seen.

Here a list of mine:
1. No rear defrost.
2. Time reset when starting.
3. Time / Date reset when starting.
4. Trip computer resetting.
5. Reduced AC / Heat fan speed.
6. Seat warmer at Level 3, seems to only be at Level 1.
7. Then of course the 'Vehicle Battery' warning.

Also I called the stealership quoted me $500 !, Took it to an independant shop $200 OTD. What has everyone else paid?

[Deathboy]

Battery Tender is a must for these cars.

[chuckvic]

That warning is exactly what I had less than 1 day after battery replacement by dealer. They said the required coding did not take, they recoded it in 30-60 min and all is fine now.


Dealer battery and required coding $$$$$$$$$$$


Signs I needed a new battery- Check engine lite on and over 2-3 days longer cranking times until suddenly a dead battery.

Chuck

[admranger]

I hope the independent did the coding to tell the car you have a new battery or you'll be over charging the new one and need a replacement sooner than normal...

[Stronie]

Originally Posted by admranger

I hope the independent did the coding to tell the car you have a new battery or you'll be over charging the new one and need a replacement sooner than normal...

Yeah, I did ask what that was all about, he said the the coding is needed to tell the car what type of battery to charge. I was told there are 3 types for my E90 M3, then apparently I have another option.... Interstate PN MT5-49/H8 note the CCA Cold Cranking Amps 900.

[Stronie]

Originally Posted by Dashman

Mind if I ask how much the dealer charged for this?

Dealer wanted $500 plus... Independent shop $380. The battery cost was $280.

I too am interested in what others have experienced.

[Stronie]

Originally Posted by Dashman

Can indy shops code the battery on the M3? I thought this could only be done by BMW?

Installing the battery is a breeze, it's the coding I am concerned about.

I don't see why not, a lot of people tweak and tune their cars. It just software.

[Exclusivs]

Am curious on first start up of the day, was there a hesitation then turnover?

I'm in a 09 as well

[dparm]

Shit, $280 for a bettery? For that money, I hope it was an Odyssey.

[admranger]

Originally Posted by dparm

Shit, $280 for a bettery? For that money, I hope it was an Odyssey.

The chart above states AGM in it. Absorbed glass matt. More forgiving to vibrations, etc. than simple lead-acid batteries (not implying Odyssey batteries are simple L-A batts).

More surprising than the price is the short 30 month warranty for some of them! That's pitiful.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by admranger

The chart above states AGM in it. Absorbed glass matt. More forgiving to vibrations, etc. than simple lead-acid batteries (not implying Odyssey batteries are simple L-A batts).

More surprising than the price is the short 30 month warranty for some of them! That's pitiful.

$280 for an AGM is still ridiculous. When I had to replace my Audi S4's group 49 AGM battery, I had no problem getting a Deka AGM for $170ish with a 36-month full replacement warranty. I think it was from Batteries Plus.

[M3]

Just installed and registered the Die-Hard Gold battery from Sears. The specs are pretty much the same as the OEM battery if I'm not mistaken. It's only been a few days but everything works as it should for now.

[admranger]

Originally Posted by dparm

$280 for an AGM is still ridiculous. When I had to replace my Audi S4's group 49 AGM battery, I had no problem getting a Deka AGM for $170ish with a 36-month full replacement warranty. I think it was from Batteries Plus.

yeah, I got the Deka for my E53 X5 off Amazon. Nice battery. Thankfully it doesn't require registration on the E53 X5.

However, if you are getting the battery at a shop, I understand the price difference can be right about where it was quoted.

[jra85]

Is the coding required even if replacing with the same exact battery model number?

[Stronie]

Originally Posted by M3

Just installed and registered the Die-Hard Gold battery from Sears. The specs are pretty much the same as the OEM battery if I'm not mistaken. It's only been a few days but everything works as it should for now.

Any warning signs? Also what did you pay?

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by JAdamz

Is the coding required even if replacing with the same exact battery model number?

Its not coding, it's registering. Yes, it's very important.

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

I've been wanting to post a tech article about this subject for some time, might as well start now:

Absorbent Glass Matt Battery (AGM)

In contrast to conventional lead-calcium batteries, the sulfuric acid in an AGM battery is not held freely in the battery housing. The sulfuric acid is instead entirely bound into the mats of the glass-fiber fleece. For this reason , no acid can escape if the battery housing is damaged. In addition, the AGM battery is a sealed, airtight unit. This is possible because the gasses are converted back into water by the permeability of the separators.

Construction
AGM batteries differ from conventional lead-calcium batteries in the following points:

- Larger plates which allow a power density some 25% greater
- Glass-fiber-fleece separators which enable a cycle consistency up to 3x greater improving cold-starting ability, current consumption and service life
- Airtight housing with pressure relief valve
- Inspection plugs sealed and cannot be opened
- Acid bound in glass-fiber fleece

How AGM Batteries Work
AGM batteries differ from conventional lead-calcium batteries in their environmental compatibility and their retention of gases during charging. When a vehicle battery is charged, the electrolysis process emits the gases oxygen and hydrogen . In a conventional lead-calcium battery, these two gases are released into the atmosphere. In an AGM battery, the two gases are converted back into water: The oxygen created at the positive electrode during charging moves through the permeable glass-fiber fleece to the negative electrode, where it reacts with the hydrogen ions that are brought in with the electrolyte, to create water (oxygen cycle). In this manner, the gases, and thus the electrolyte, is not lost.

Only when the gas production is excessive, that is when too much pressure is generated (20 to 200 mbar), does the pressure-relief valve open, thereby allowing gas to escape while also preventing entry of atmospheric oxygen. Because the pressure in the battery is regulated by a valve, the AGM battery is also known as the VRLA battery (valve regulated lead acid).

Service Instructions for AGM Batteries
When handling AGM batteries, certain special factors must be taken into consideration with regard to battery renewal and installation location:

Do not charge AGM batteries with 14.8 volts or use use rapid charging programs
When charging batteries in the "stand alone" mode, the maximum charge voltage of 14.8 volts must not be exceeded. Even briefly charging an AGM battery with a charge voltage of more than 14.8 volts (voltages usually used in rapid charge programs) will damage the battery

Do not install AGM batteries in the engine compartment
Because of large temperature variations, AGM batteries must not be installed in the engine compartment. This would result in a significant reduction in the service life of the battery

Do not open AGM batteries
By no account should AGM batteries ever be opened, as oxygen from the atmosphere would cause the battery to lose its chemical balance and cause it to fail.

Battery Replacement
An AGM battery, when installed as original equipment, must always be replaced with an AGM battery. In special cases, where a customer's driving profile (e.g. short distance driving), results in a discharged battery, the AGM battery is a recommended replacement.

Note that replacement batteries resulting from a customer's driving profile cannot be claimed under warranty.

Battery Replacement Registration

This Service Function informs the PM that the battery has been replaced. It completes the following operations:

- Battery capacity is set to 80%
- Current Odometer reading are stored. The odometer readings at which the last seven battery replacements took place can be read off from the Diagnosis Requests of Control Unit Functions
- Stored battery statistics (current, voltage , battery charge level) are deleted
- Stored temperature statistics are deleted

Hope this helps.

[M3]

Originally Posted by Stronie

Any warning signs? Also what did you pay?

None. $161 + tax.

[Route 16]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Its not coding, it's registering. Yes, it's very important.

Anyone know whats stock battery Ah from the factory? Is it 90?

Tom which of the batteries do you recommend for stock car with some audio upgrade? I do like Braille though but I do want to keep power the same. 10-20 lbs lighter is a plus.
http://www.europeanautosource.com/in...ult/?q=battery

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by Route 16

Anyone know whats stock battery Ah from the factory? Is it 90?

Tom which of the batteries do you recommend for stock car with some audio upgrade? I do like Braille though but I do want to keep power the same. 10-20 lbs lighter is a plus.
http://www.europeanautosource.com/in...ult/?q=battery

It's 90Ah.

For those with audio upgrades, it's not recommended to get the Brailles. Either the 70Ah (Z4M) or 55Ah (CSL/Mini) batteries are recommended instead.

Either are good for at least 25lbs off the factory stocker.

[Stronie]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

It's 90Ah.

For those with audio upgrades, it's not recommended to get the Brailles. Either the 70Ah (Z4M) or 55Ah (CSL/Mini) batteries are recommended instead.

Either are good for at least 25lbs off the factory stocker.

Thanks Tom. Great Info.