Flat Battery - yet another electrical issue...GOD HATES ME

[X5-D-Sport]

Hi Steve,
The engine spins over very quick already, and starts every time within a single revolution, ... never had an engine start so fast actually...
but will try your idea any way... got nothing to lose 

I can hook a meter to it and see if there is a current dump in any case..

regards.

[Steamyrotter]

Hedgehog is the common name for FSR - Final Stage Resistor

It is the one for the heater/blower and has got loads of cylindrical cooling find that almost resembles a hedgehog..

Google it or on EBay and you'll see it

[X5-D-Sport]

Thanks... will do

[X5-D-Sport]

Update :::
Located a Hedgehog resistor from Andre-Page motor parts - £23.60 incl vat - impressed..
Just done a warranty swap on my 1000 Crank Amp battery, and also disconnected the FSR/Hedgehog & Webasto power...
Will see whether she has power in the morning to start ...
Mean while, I'm going to see what the drain is with a meter in the boot... may get the answer faster...

[X5Sport]

Probably teaching grandpa, but just make sure if your meter is in circuit that itcan cope with a lot of current - say 20A DC - in case the car wakes up.  Depending upon options, the engine off draw can be high.

Two issues that were alleged to have caused an issue on my E53 were the boot lock and built in car phone.  The main dealer also accused the tracking device of being the cause.  It was none of them in the end (bad starter overloading the battery), but I offer it in case there's a lead in there somewhere.

I feel your pain as finding this could be a long game and not one for cold winter days!!

[X5-D-Sport]

Grandpa here  )

re the meter current... no worries, got a nice digital autorange unit up to 60Amps lol...
right now, drawing tinsy bits of power is my Sat-Nag always charging..  but generally it never charges unless its being used... and if the LiPo cell was endlessly drawing current it would have burst into flames long ago...
and
I have a small LED voltage reader plummed into the ciggy lighter power permanently giving a reading... this little thing draws 40mA
and both these items have been running for over a year now.
All the interior lighting & puddle lights are orange LEDs and all combined draw less than 2 of the original 12 bulbs.

After all the searching posts on the net... the most likely culprit seems to be the Hedgehog unit....
now unplugged....
Tomorrow morning will be the moment of truth ... if she starts or not after the whole night.

i put a meter between the starter motor & main power.... no draw there...
and my starter turns the engine over soooo fast any way, its unlikely to be the issue.

the interesting thing is... that it seems the hedgehog FSR can cause the power drain, yet appear to work perfectly re powering the blower fan.... very odd  O:-)

[X5Sport]

) )

60A is fine but that's what mine draws with the key in!  I don't believe the E53 was ever that bad.

I didn't think it was the starter as yours spins fine.  You'll know when they go faulty!  180A spec, >500A and slow crank when faulty!  Mine exceeded 900A - more than the battery could stand.

It could be the FSR as there are a number of fault modes.  The worst being that the fans won't turn off!  It could be a partial short/leak which isn't enough to spin the main a/c fan but will drain.  I have never seen a description of what actually goes wrong with them.

Plugged in items can keep the car awake, but yours seems to go to sleep OK - so it doesn't sound like that - and the current draw is above their use.

You don't have a built in phone - the Bluetooth linked on board handset can stay on and keeps trying to pair - so that's eliminated too.  Mine was a possible issue as it wouldn't go to sleep, but it wasn't the issue.

As you say LiPO batteries make good fire lighters if left on perm charge without controls!

[X5-D-Sport]

Last Update -

Battery drain solved...

Left the hedgehog unplugged last night....
Car started this morning perfectly.

Swapped out the Hedgehog this morning - get drenched - but all good. £27 from Andrew Page's.

The interesting thing to note, was that the fan variable speeds worked perfectly... but it was still draining the vehicle battery when the vehicle was locked & in sleep mode....

Cars & women ehh  >:D .... sooner keep the car any day lol ha ha )

[X5Sport]

Glad it's fixed. 

Not so easy with women.......and no warranty :'(

[mark hamster 28]

was this with your old battery or the new one fitted you got exchanged ?? 

[X5-D-Sport]

Not even allowed to sell them in this country either.... bummer.. )

[X5-D-Sport]

AS I had the chance to swap it for a new on, I seized the chance...
Since swapping out the hedgehog module... the sleep-power drain is now 50mA...  :blink:

[X5Sport]

:thumbup: