BATTERY DRAIN AGAIN :(

[Bluestaffy09]

Hi guys I recently bought a new battery because the x5 kept dieing overnight and now it's died again with a brand new battery. Any ideas what it might be?

[sid10]

Hi mine continually died over night , put a new starter on problem solved . Get the starter checked !

[X5Sport]

Could also be the final stage resistor for the AC system.

You need to check whether the car goes into 'sleep' mode - LED that lights the 'P' up on the shifter goes out after 16 mins.  If it doesn't then something is keeping the car 'awake'.

If it is being kept awake then it could be any of a number of things.  Look for changing the FSR or 'Hedgehog' on the Forum.

[Bluestaffy09]

The led goes off so it's definitely the starter or something else keeping it awake. Is there any easy way to check this maybe with a multimeter on the battery and start pulling fuses?

[X5Sport]

It could be that the starter is pulling more current than the battery can cop with.  You'll need a current clamp capable of reading at least 400A to check it.  It should draw around 230A max, any more and it's knackered.  Some can draw more than 400A and the car never gets long enough to recharge it.

Other than that, yes it's a case of an ammeter and pulling fuses.....no ones favourite pastime!

My old E53 had drains caused by the onboard Siemens car phone (would keep activating and then keeping the car awake) and boot lock (not latching shut completely).

Richard

[Bluestaffy09]

I've read a few people had drains caused by the on board phone, do you no where the fuse is for it? I never use it so may just pull it out anyway. Also I've noticed when I close the bottom section of the boot it takes a few times too click in.

[X5Sport]

It's fuse 7 in the front glovebox, but that fuse covers a lot of other functions so won't help except to prove the items on that circuit aren't the cause.

[Bluestaffy09]

Ok how do I disconnect the phone then? Sorry im a carpenter and know nothing about cars haha.

[chrisn7]

Have a look at this link, on how to check for battery drain problems - its for the E38, but the principle is exactly the same. You have to set this up, as the car has to remain asleep all the time, while you are pulling fuses for you to see a change in the current drain:

http://www.meeknet.co.uk/e38/E38_Battery_Drain.htm

If you have satnav, make sure the nav module is going to sleep i.e. the indicator lamp goes out after 2 mins. Stay in the car while it goes to sleep, then at the climate control panel, check that you cannot hear the fan running behind the grille with the sensor in it. As mentioned telephone modules may cause this problem too.

[Bluestaffy09]

Thanks for the help mate. top man

[Bluestaffy09]

My mate had a quick look today and said the traffic master was definitely drawing current when the car was off. Removed it now so got to wait till the morning to see if it's done the trick

[X5Sport]

Is the Trafficmaster actually working?  I'm not certain their navigation service is still available.  If it isn't then disconnect it permanently.

Richard

[Bluestaffy09]

Yeh he took it out completely and it started on the first tick this morning the car was iced over too. Hopefully that's my issue solved

[TimX5]