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FLAT BATTERY!!!??!!

Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 8:41 pm
by X6_40d_Nick
Right then!!!!

Yesterday I used the 12v connection on the X6 to run a tyre pump. I had to turn on the ignition to get this to work, but then like the idiot I am, I forgot to remove the keys from the ignition after I'd finishing blowing up the tyres on my ride on mower.

So just turned house upside own to find my keys, and hey presto they were in the cars ignition. But...they will not come out of the dash as the battery is as flat as a pancake.

So I now can't lock the car, or open the boot (power operated) so how do I charge the f@@king stupid thing back up? Found a positive terminal under bonnet but no negative? Help!

Sure my last BMW timed out after a bit, why has it let itself go flat?????

FLAT BATTERY!!!??!!

Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 8:48 pm
by dirtymonkey29
Should be a bolt inside the wing which acts as a negative. As long as you can ground somewhere your sorted

Re: FLAT BATTERY!!!??!!

Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 9:19 pm
by X6_40d_Nick
Thanks, I've grounded on the diagonal strut adjacent to the positive terminal.

But now it's switching / clicking on and off every five/ten seconds?

I've left it to see what happens in one hour? Any clue as to what's switching on / off? The dash board climate display lights up briefly then fades, wonder if my charger is not man enough or shall I just be patient?

Re: FLAT BATTERY!!!??!!

Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 9:27 pm
by Minda
How about a jump start, that might be a bit quicker

Re: FLAT BATTERY!!!??!!

Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 9:36 pm
by X6_40d_Nick
I've no other car to jump off, but think we're getting somewhere.....

I've managed to get the key out of the dash at least!!!!

FLAT BATTERY!!!??!!

Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 9:37 pm
by dirtymonkey29
Might not be grounding out properly? If its a painted surface your attached to. BMW usually have a nut welded onto the inside of the wing somewhere for grounding purpose

Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 10:29 pm
by Black X5
E70/1 batteries are notorious for draining rapidly. Mine has been back to the dealer a couple of times for 'excessive battery drain'.

If the key is in the ignition, the car does not initiate shutdown- i.e lets battery drain.

Your best bet would be to trickle charge it until you've got enough juice to start it. Once started take it for a good drive to fully charge the battery. BMW's definition of a short drive is 30 miles!

Just be wary that once a battery TOTALLY dies it usually is unable to hold charge for as long as before and would need replacement. Hope it's not the case but just something to bear in mind.

Good luck and let us know how you get on!

Re: FLAT BATTERY!!!??!!

Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 10:54 pm
by X6_40d_Nick
Absolutely fuming!!!!

Tried to Jump start it, but nothing.....!

The dash did light up but not enough ummpphh to get the engine to turnover.

I've left it on trickle charge all night...

Worryingly whilst the dash board was litup, there was a 4x4 xdrive fault showing....???

Hoping the overnight fairies sort it out. But why did it drain? All I did was to leave the ignition on? My iPod will never need charging again!!!!

Re: FLAT BATTERY!!!??!!

Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 11:22 pm
by Cannondale
[quote=""X6_40d_Nick""]Absolutely fuming!!!!

Tried to Jump start it, but nothing.....!

The dash did light up but not enough ummpphh to get the engine to turnover.

I've left it on trickle charge all night...

Worryingly whilst the dash board was litup, there was a 4x4 xdrive fault showing....???

Hoping the overnight fairies sort it out. But why did it drain? All I did was to leave the ignition on? My iPod will never need charging again!!!![/quote]


On MY E53 the 4x4 light stayed on when I had the battery disconected. It went of after a short drive. I think it is normal.

Rich...

FLAT BATTERY!!!??!!

Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 11:31 pm
by dirtymonkey29
+1
I had same after I drained my battery installing my intravee. Went after a short drive.

Re: FLAT BATTERY!!!??!!

Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 5:52 am
by 535dboy
Mine cuts power rather quickly even with key in ignition

Find this a bit frustrating sometimes when you are parked up and just want to listen to the radio!

Re: FLAT BATTERY!!!??!!

Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 7:28 am
by X6_40d_Nick
[quote=""535dboy""]Mine cuts power rather quickly even with key in ignition

Find this a bit frustrating sometimes when you are parked up and just want to listen to the radio![/quote]

Pretty sure mine has done this too...!

That's why I'm so cross with it letting itself go flat? Surely it has enough intelligence to prevent a total drain? Very Un-Germanic!!!

Re: FLAT BATTERY!!!??!!

Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 7:53 am
by X6_40d_Nick
Morning update.

Been on charge all night, and .....nothing! Can't even lock it! No lights on dashboard at all! :thumbsdown:

Called BMW Emergency and they'll be here around 9am.

Will let you know the outcome..... :x

Re: FLAT BATTERY!!!??!!

Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 7:57 am
by 535dboy
That is odd

When mine was new I got the high rate of battery discharge warning all the time and yet it never died like that

Re: FLAT BATTERY!!!??!!

Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 8:03 am
by X6_40d_Nick
We had lights on the dash last night and whilst it was hooked upto with jump leads to missus Astra.

It tried to turnover my only briefly, now it's totally died!

I'm interested in BMW Emergency try and put the blame on me, if it needs a new battery I'm going to argue the toss, it's only just 2yr old with 8000miles under her! So what I left the key in for 18hours! What on earth was draining it so quickly?