Increased battery discharge

[celica]

After a charge and use today it's come back again

Rang the garage and said bring it back for a fault code read again as it was all cleared last time
Also he noted a couple of software updates available such as the key cache or something

But I can't see how software updates would help as increase battery drain is more of a new persistent issue

[X5Sport]

Worth getting a voltmeter on the under bonnet points to see if the alternator output is OK with the engine running.  Should be 14.4V for a non-AGM type, a bit higher for an AGM.

One simple check is to see if the connections to the battery have been properly tightened!  Loose could cause trouble, and it's not unknown (I've forgotten it myself back in the day.. :-[ ).  Only a couple of screws to get the cover (right at the rear of the boot just inside the tailgate) off to check.

[99ron]

Good advice. Then if that's ok read this...
https://www.picoauto.com/library/case-s ... tery-drain
Don't you have a problem with a blower regulator?

[celica]

Will have a look at the link

I'm only told the blower regulator might be at fault as when it's on it sometimes has a pulsating noise around that area behind the dash. Can't see why this would cause a fault as I've had this for a while

I'm just topping it up with the halfords charger I have to hand each night until I get back to garage

It has two led, one charging and one maintenance
It comes on charging light so guess its low but does switch back over to maintenance after several hours

Will check the battery leads, but will have to wait tomorrow

[celica]

Checked the lead sand seem fine I think

Old battery




New battery

[celica]

[quote="X5Sport"]
It'll do, but if you have spare funds, go buy a CTEK MXS 5.0 or MXS 10 (the number is the ampere hour charge rate) as these are multiphase, conditioner chargers - as badged by BMW - and very good.

Yes the charging points under the bonnet are the correct place.

Speed isn't relevant as the cars use alternators not dynamos but you need to be at fast idle or higher.  The regulator on the alternator will determine the rest.

When the battery coding was redone, do you know what battery type they chose?  It might make a difference, especially if they picked the wrong battery family.
[/quote]

I'm intrigued to find out a bit more about the battery coding question

Hoping to go back to the garage tomorrow so may ask

Did some distant motorway driving
Good 40+ miles taking about 40 mins
Start the car up again shortly after and still getting increased battery discharge

Looking to get some software updates
But next list when funds allow is blower regulator

[X5Sport]

With regard to the way the battery is coded, they need to tell the car what battery 'type' has been installed.  That tells the intelligent charging system that you (a) have replaced the battery and (b) with what type so it then sets its charging voltages & current limits correctly.

Reading the data sheet for that battery states it is a 'Calcium' type so the charging data in the car needs to be set to match it.  This battery type needs up to 14.8V to charge correctly (as against 13.8V for a lead acid battery).  If the garage selected the wrong battery type then the alternator won't be charging it properly - hence the constant warnings.

[celica]

Thanks

They are a BMW specialist so know their stuff as they work with modern BMWs

Could be a genuine error if coded incorrectly, but how do I question the garage without coming across questioning them?

Maybe I'll ask them is it worth checking the code option to check its calcium type and not lead type

[X5Sport]

OK.  Simply state that ever since they changed it, the car has not been charging properly.  Please can they check the battery reset was 'accepted' and stored by the car......or that sort of thing 

I used a BMW 'specialist' once on the E46 for a battery swap, and it took them a week to fix the damage they did.  We think that it was put in backwards by a new apprentice not paying attention!  Lots of fuses blew and the Nav stopped working!  It cost them a lot of money  >:(

[celica]

Good shout

Was my original calcium or lead type
How do you tell?

[X5Sport]

It has 'Pb' on the cover - so Lead.  Recycle label also says 'Lead'.

[99ron]

For Info I found this list on another thread.
If you replace like for like you just register the battery but a different type must be coded to the closest setting. The factory setting I believe is 90ah_agm.
Your old battery is AGM, your new one looks non-agm?

I think BMW use Exide. I bought an aftermarket Exide to replace mine - Ex900, so it didn't need coding, just registration which you can do with the CARLY APP. I think later models got 92ah versions.

These settings are available for KLASSE_BATTERIE on E70:
46ah
55ah
70ah
80ah
90ah
110ah
40ah_agm
60ah_agm
70ah_agm
80ah_agm
90ah_agm
105ah_agm
wert_00

[celica]

My old battery isn't AGM? It says lead on it as pointed out and no AGM markings?

[celica]

Another picture of old one

Would new battery be okay once coded correctly

[99ron]

Google the part number - it is AGM!
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/partxref?q=61217551331
AGM is black, standard white I think.

Also seen a couple of threads suggesting you can upgrade from standard to AGM but you should not go the other way. I am surprised a BMW specialist has done that. There are aftermarket AGMs that fit and are the correct spec.