Battery discharge low?

[CallMeWonder]

I've been getting battery discharge low warnings for the past few days.

The first time I got it the car was off for a couple days so I didn't think anything of it. But now I get battery low warning after 20-30 minute drives which makes no sense to me.



Should it be something to be worried about or no?

Thanks for the replies.

[isugoo]

your battery may be dying now.
1. you will start getting the warning messages.
2. you'll notice your clock, idrive brightness etc starting to resets everyday.

If you're sure that you drive enough every day with your M but getting the messages, you may want to look into replacing your battery.

[CallMeWonder]

Originally Posted by isugoo

your battery may be dying now.
1. you will start getting the warning messages.
2. you'll notice your clock, idrive brightness etc starting to resets everyday.

If you're sure that you drive enough every day with your M but getting the messages, you may want to look into replacing your battery.

Yep, I have those symptoms also, should I just get a battery from the store or take it to the dealer?

[schnell325]

A very important thing for owners like myself, who park in a garage at home, is to LOCK THE CAR whenever you aren't using it. Especially if your car is not a daily driver. BMW Canada sent out a notice awhile back explaining that dormant cars will, over time, give the battery discharge warning.

I had the warning on our E90....threw a trickle charger on it for 2 days, told my wife to lock it up when in the garage, and viola, no issue since.

[gblansten]

This may shock you but you are not alone on this.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/search....rchid=21671277

[DBH]

Get a battery tender and use it. BMW will sell you one or you can get the same thing from Sears for less money.

[von_zoom]

If your car is still under warranty, take it to the BMW store and request a new battery. They will dig in their heels, but if you make an issue over it, you will get a new battery, and that is the only thing that will settle you problem. The car does not like to sit idle.
vz

[Mike van D]

Remember it's basically a rolling computer/machanical cyborg that does all kinds of things on its own when no one's looking. Gotta drive her to keep her charged up.

...no clue where the hell I came up with this from...too early...need more coffee.

[LeifW]

Originally Posted by schnell325

A very important thing for owners like myself, who park in a garage at home, is to LOCK THE CAR whenever you aren't using it. Especially if your car is not a daily driver. BMW Canada sent out a notice awhile back explaining that dormant cars will, over time, give the battery discharge warning.

What does locking the car do? Is there some sort of electric component running when the car is not locked?

Thanks,
Leif W.

[schnell325]

Yes, that's my understanding. I'm not 100% sure what exactly occurs when you lock the vehicle, but it is recommended by BMW to help reduce issues with the batteries.

Perhaps some electrical components "sleep", for lack of an engineering explaination......

[tibra1]

Check the battery out ASAP a weak battery can severly affect your alternator and you dont want to know whats involved if you need to change that...serious $

[TVMA Doc]

Originally Posted by NeedMoreToyz

Remember it's basically a rolling computer/machanical cyborg that does all kinds of things on its own when no one's looking. Gotta drive her to keep her charged up.

...no clue where the hell I came up with this from...too early...need more coffee.

Well, the other issue is that batteries will NOT last forever. Typically a battery will be good for about 2-3 years before cells start to fail. Your car is right in that "sweet spot".

Even with proper charging and perfect battery tending, your battery will eventually start to do this. Battery technology definitely hasn't kept pace with everything else in the automotive world.

I think that you need to have the battery done at a shop or dealership, not just pick one up at the store. There is some coding involved.

[TVMA Doc]

Originally Posted by schnell325

Yes, that's my understanding. I'm not 100% sure what exactly occurs when you lock the vehicle, but it is recommended by BMW to help reduce issues with the batteries.

Perhaps some electrical components "sleep", for lack of an engineering explaination......

I've been taking my son to Sylvan for a couple of hours every Saturday, and I sit in my M3 while reviewing for my boards. I've noticed that without the car locked it will almost regularly cycle electronics, the displays light back up briefly (showing the "P" mode, etc.).

It doesn't seem like a LOT of activity, but I'd estimate that SOMETHING happens at least every 10-15 minutes while the engine is off. Locking the doors does seem to stop most of these electrical gremlins. I'm not entirely certain why either, but there may be some sort of low power/sleep mode for all of these functions when the doors are locked.

[LeifW]

Originally Posted by TVMA Doc

I've been taking my son to Sylvan for a couple of hours every Saturday, and I sit in my M3 while reviewing for my boards. I've noticed that without the car locked it will almost regularly cycle electronics, the displays light back up briefly (showing the "P" mode, etc.).

It doesn't seem like a LOT of activity, but I'd estimate that SOMETHING happens at least every 10-15 minutes while the engine is off. Locking the doors does seem to stop most of these electrical gremlins. I'm not entirely certain why either, but there may be some sort of low power/sleep mode for all of these functions when the doors are locked.

Very interesting. Will be keeping the my 1M locked in the garage from now on.

Leif W.

[LeifW]

Originally Posted by schnell325

Yes, that's my understanding. I'm not 100% sure what exactly occurs when you lock the vehicle, but it is recommended by BMW to help reduce issues with the batteries.

Perhaps some electrical components "sleep", for lack of an engineering explaination......

Thanks for the helpful info.

Leif W.

[PortoM3]

I was getting the low battery warning light as well, but lucky me I was still under warranty and the dealer graciously gave me a new battery. Thanks Murray BMW in Salt Lake City.
However, I do have an alarm, so if I lock the car while it's in the garage, wouldn't that suck more juice out of the battery rather than leaving the car unclocked because the alarm is activated when the car is locked. thanks for the help.

[Titanium Silver]

This happened to me as well. The battery was fine but something was draining it. It took the dealership about 2 days to figure out what was causing it.

It turned out that the Comfort Access antenna was slowly draining the battery. It was quite a process as you need to disconnect certain peripheral parts one at a time and wait for the car to go into sleep mode to see what is actually draining the battery. Mine was the CA. I can post more details from my service record if you like.

Battery Discharge warning solved.

[byroncheung]

I just got my 2011 CPO M3 sedan couple of weeks ago. I noticed everytime if I turn on the radio and control system without starting the engine, the low battery charge warning will come up and then shut off in next few minutes. But I got no warning during driving. Is this normal?

From driving back from the dealer and commuting I have probably driven it for around 60 miles, would think that should be enough to charge the battery even it was low while sitting on the dealer's lot?

I see the lock trick mentioned above I haven't tried it yet.

Thanks in advance.

[MTrezzz]

5 Years in; Now gotta get a new Battery... How much from the dealership anybody know? Locked out of my car as well and I did the IND Key Hole Delete Mod.

[UPSROD]

I think it is a little over $500.00 from the dealer for a BMW battery and have it registered.

[msan]

In SoCal it'd be $500 for battery and $150 for registration probably

[monterey]

dealer wanted 190. if you got a strong back and a friend to help move some cables away while you try to drop it in its pretty easy. I would charge the battery 1 more time before giving up on it.