Battery Dead

[abzotech]

Just got back from my vacation (5 days), and the first thing that I wanted to do when I got home was take my beamer for a drive. But the battery is dead! My car is new and it only has 1700 miles. I dont think this is normal. Anyone have semilar problems? What causes this?

 

[Gib-McFragger]

Need a little more info man, year, model of E46, etc.

 

[abzotech]

2003, 325i, e46

 

[mrtm]

Do you have an alarm?

M3 guys are having the same issue at www.m3forum.com

It sounds like those guys with alarms are having the same issue.

 

[abzotech]

No alarm installed in my car. The only electronic mods are the orange front and side parking ligths that I replaced with white euro type lights. But I dont think that is short circuiting because the parking and turn signals are functioning okay. I charged my battery over night and the car started fine, except as expected the radio and clock programming has been erased. The car is still under warranty and I plan to make an appointment to have it investigated. Never the less I still want to share this with my everyone to see if anyone has a semilar experience, and perhaps a have a quick fix idea.

 

[rickhuizinga]

I had the same problem with my 2004 330Ci.

I was out of town for 5 days last week, and the battery was dead when I came back. The car is only 3 weeks old.

How far do you drive your car each trip? The manual states that the battery may have problems keeping charged if the car only makes short trips (< 10 miles).

Please let me know if you find anything out.

Thanks,

Rick

 

[mark_m]

Battery Indicator Light, Dead Battery, etc.

abo, I had similar problems with my March, 03 production 330i. Check this thread out:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38498&highlight=ihka

I have had zero problems after this fix.

Good Luck,
Mark

 

[bmwrocks]

This is disturbing to hear about. So far I have not had the problem, but I have not left the car for more than a day without starting her.

I read the above thread and did not see any fix.

What fix mark_m? If you are talking about the workaround, that is certainly no fix. I hope BMW recalls the vehicle for this one as I would not like to be stranded.

 

[yogi799]

Man! Guys, get yourself a $40 battery from Walmart. Mine sometimes takes a week break and never has this problem.

 

[PuShAkOv]

Could be a lowsy battery connection. Check all the wires.

 

[mark_m]

Check out the second page of the thread for the fix details. Here's a copy/paste for convenience:


I experienced the battery discharge problem, but I think that it has been fixed.... from my invoice:

"PERFORMED CURRENT DRAW TEST. IHKA DRAWING OVER 800MA. CODED LSZ PER TECH SUPPORT AND RECHECKED CURRENT DRAW. DRAW FELL TO 8-10MA MAX CURRENT DRAW IS 30MA. CURRENT DRAW IS WITHIN BMW SPEC."

My SA described the "LSZ" as the Lamp Control Module, he said it was keeping the A/C control unit awake when the car was turned off.

Hope this helps.
-Mark

 

[vlad]

I have heard this mentioned by several e46 owners. And mark_m's post is the first that I've read with any positive response from the dealer.

Glad to hear of a fix!

 

[bmwrocks]

Thanks mark_m. I did not notice that text first time through. I will be taking a printout of the text to the dealer to get their opinion.

Yogi799, the problem is not related to the battery itself so a Wal-Mart battery or any other battery for that matter would not make any difference.

 

[mark_m]

The fix seems to have done the trick. The weather has turned a bit chillier as of late, and in situations where before the fix, I had slow starter turnover. I am experiencing no such problems.

It was a real drag to have 1700 miles on a car, less than one month old, and be stranded at work because you forgot the portable jump start box! It tainted the BMW dream for me a bit, but... Kelly BMW made it right, with this unscheduled service, providing a loaner car, providing a timely fix (overnight), and replacing my battery.

Now, on to the arduous task of getting snows!

 

[joe c]

recall??

I had the same problem with my 2003 325i with 2K miles on it. System voltage was so low that the car could not ever go over 5MPH after jumpstart. Dealer said the climate contol unit was faulty and replaced it. Been OK so far. Does anyone know why BMW doesn't recall these units???

 

[Wadula]

it is almost creaming for a recal i admit. who knows if they will do it. or maybe the number of effected cars is just not big enough in their eyes to open that book, public resonance is never positive.