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      06-24-2014, 04:04 PM   #1
haspi
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Battery Died

All of a sudden...any idea why? How can I check the battery status?
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      06-24-2014, 04:28 PM   #2
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do you guys know how to open the trunk (for jump) if the battery dies completely? Is there a manual way to open the trunk?
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      06-24-2014, 04:36 PM   #3
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Don't think there is a manual way to open the trunk however you can jump the battery from under the hood.

There is a positive terminal middle back with a red cap on it and the negative is above the right wheel housing. (a silver "bolt" sticking out)

Once you put a charger on those terminals you'll be able to get juice to open the trunk and access the battery if you wish.
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      06-24-2014, 04:36 PM   #4
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Did you try pressing on the roundel on the trunk lid (top half) and seeing if it pops?

If all else fails Eltee has the right idea.
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      06-26-2014, 08:45 AM   #5
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Is there any warning if battery is about to die? Don't think our batteries come w/ those light indicator window thingys.
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      06-26-2014, 11:28 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tranquility View Post
Is there any warning if battery is about to die? Don't think our batteries come w/ those light indicator window thingys.
In my E85, my warning came in the form of slightly (and I mean slightly) hesitant cranks on startup. I chalked it up to the car being stationary during the week, but learned the hard way the battery was on it's way out (lasted 5 years). If you feel like your car's not cranking as strongly/quickly as it used to, battery is most likely weakened/nearing end-of-life.
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      06-26-2014, 01:45 PM   #7
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For me, before the battery dies, the auto up window will go down by half, and sometimes yellow half engine light will turn on.
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      06-26-2014, 07:42 PM   #8
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Over the winter i got a "Low Battery" message on the NAV screen indicating a low battery state from non use.
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      06-26-2014, 11:33 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWZ4RIDER View Post
Over the winter i got a "Low Battery" message on the NAV screen indicating a low battery state from non use.
Is that the only real warning we get? I suppose that would give me enough time to do the switch?
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      06-27-2014, 07:04 AM   #10
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It was the only indication of an issue that I know of. However I also recall that I had the yellow triangle warming indicator light in the message board located in the message display in the center dash. This I am sure for the non NAV cars. So 2 indicator message points. The 3rd would be very clear especially if the car would not turn over or start. This one is a driver diagnosis when we cannot start the car and then find out we are screwed.
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      09-24-2014, 12:47 PM   #11
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Wanted to update this thread. Have had my non-Nav 2009 35i since April. Drive it a ton, have put ~5,000 miles on over 5 months.

Last week, leaving work my clock was reset to 00.00's. After resetting the time, I had the triangle warning in the dash. Checking "System", see a "car on hydraulic lift" indicator. Kind of scary.

Online search for this indicator finds it is used for many things. At least mine was not colored red but the amber/orange color that most stuff lights up as in this dash.

Gotten same event 5 out of last 7 times driving. Two times, clock was fine and no other issues/warnings. I don't notice the car starting any slower nor do I notice any driving issues.

Other things besides clock resetting: trip meter, gas mileage, etc...stuff you can cycle through on the stalk.

Called the dealer and service manager said most likely a battery/voltage related event. Seen it many times on these cars. Mine is right at 5yrs so likely a battery replacement. Taking her in tomorrow...at least the cost quoted for battery/install/programming has come down since the 2011 posts on here re: dead batteries. I called three dealers, all were between $400 and $450 to do this.
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      09-24-2014, 04:05 PM   #12
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Mines 5 years old now. Ive noted recently oddly behaving AC controls (half lit, non operational until a restart) and juddery roof mechanism when engine not running. Half expecting this to be battery related.
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      09-24-2014, 07:01 PM   #13
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Ok, so I'll note to be vigilant around the 5 yr mark. Thx.
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      09-24-2014, 09:44 PM   #14
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Just hook up a voltmeter to the battery. Normal is 12.6. Anything under 12.2 volts means you need a new one.
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      09-24-2014, 10:32 PM   #15
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so the next question is, why can we not replace the battery ourselves like with every other car?
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      09-25-2014, 07:56 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMW665 View Post
so the next question is, why can we not replace the battery ourselves like with every other car?
It's not as simple as most cars. This thread has more info: http://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=491947

Including this snippet from HerrK: You can do the battery registration using the Bavarian Technic tool (access to OBD)

~$300 for the Enthusiast: http://www.bavariantechnic.com/buy.aspx

I don't know how long I'm keeping this car...and I need a battery sooner than later it appears. But I'm sure others here can give more feedback on that kit...

Bottom line, if you simply replace the battery, without registering it, the battery doesn't function as well and/or it won't last as long if it were registered properly.

Last edited by STR3T; 09-25-2014 at 08:04 AM..
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      11-11-2014, 01:13 PM   #17
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Just had our battery replaced on our Z4 after 5 years.

Total cost through an independent bmw specialist was $228 for an OEM battery (BMW 80ah) and $105 for the installation and registration labor.

Actually thought that was quite reasonable for a BMW.
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      11-11-2014, 01:26 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jpwolfe31 View Post
Just had our battery replaced on our Z4 after 5 years.

Total cost through an independent bmw specialist was $228 for an OEM battery (BMW 80ah) and $105 for the installation and registration labor.

Actually thought that was quite reasonable for a BMW.
That's not bad. My boss just paid $547.00 to replace his on his Mercedes M class
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      11-11-2014, 02:50 PM   #19
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Service Advisor told me that the battery life of a BMW battery is only 2 to 4 years. He quoted $420 including tax. The local indy quoted around $300 installed including registration labor.

FYI one of the first signs Ive noticed when the battery is low is slow cranking in the morning and the Welcome Lights stop working when you unlock the car.....
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      11-11-2014, 04:31 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by airmarc View Post
Service Advisor told me that the battery life of a BMW battery is only 2 to 4 years. He quoted $420 including tax. The local indy quoted around $300 installed including registration labor.

FYI one of the first signs Ive noticed when the battery is low is slow cranking in the morning and the Welcome Lights stop working when you unlock the car.....
I'm on 4 years now approaching 40K miles on the stock battery. Crank is fine, but I did notice when opening/closing the roof my headlights dim more than usual.
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      11-12-2014, 03:21 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by STR3T View Post
You can do the battery registration using the Bavarian Technic tool (access to OBD)

~$300 for the Enthusiast
Or you might want to buy BMWhat app for Iphone or Android, add a suitable WLan (Iphone) or BT (Android) OBDII device and purchase the new Inapp service for new battery registration (apparently 10$).

Afterwards you can still read and erase error codes, have some nice coding done, read engine details etc. Just like the idea, the app and the programmer is very responsive to questions and problems (no, I don't draw any commissions).

Best regards

Mick
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      11-12-2014, 04:51 AM   #22
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Hmmm, I'm 4 yrs & 4 mths and over 125,000kms/~77,000miles, still fine. Maybe it's because I always run the engine before operating my roof?
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