Battery warning light: what's up?

[macglade9]

The last few mornings, after overnight temps of mid to high 30's, the warning light on the '03 325i (app 9k miles) comes on upon starting the car. It stays illuminated for 20 to 30 seconds and does not go on again the rest of the day upon starting the car.

Have not checked with the dealer yet. Anyone had this symptom? Any ideas on what it could be? I though maybe a belt that slips (we've had a lot of rain recently too). I've seen a thread or two on bad batteries but not this issue specifically. Car has no problem starting otherwise.

Thanks on advance

macglade (having just read the 250+ post on the Sliptronic, thanking his lucky stars)

 

[Wadula]

as the light goes off and does not comeon again during driving it does not seem to be the alternator or belt. i think that it coulb be a bad battery. you might be lucky that there is always enough power left to start the car. did you try to keep the car staying for more than one night? i´d test if after a longer time the car wil still start. if not the bat is dead.

 

[JamieD22]

In my car, the in-dash display will beep & flash when the temp falls to 37 degrees. I don't believe it flashes any indicators though, only the temperature itself. It could be a similar indicator, just letting you know that outside temperatures are hazardous.

 

[wingedtiger]

All, Check to make sure it is not the radiator indicator, they look very much alike. I had the same problem and the dealer told me to add about a cup of water to the radiator and it fixed it.
Hope that helps.

 

[bmwrocks]

In my car, the in-dash display will beep & flash when the temp falls to 37 degrees. I don't believe it flashes any indicators though, only the temperature itself. It could be a similar indicator, just letting you know that outside temperatures are hazardous.

JamieD22 with all due respect, there are no other temperature warnings in our car besides the temp indicator and beep.

macglade, your battery light indicates either a low voltage from your charging system or a low voltage at your battery terminals, or both. I agree with Wadula that it is unlikely that your alternator is bad as the light would probably stay on constantly and your battery would be dead in a jiffy. I would also agree with the Kommandant that you are probably lucky that you have enough charge to start the car. It is more common to not get any warning and just to have a dead battery.

Have it checked out immediately.

 

[Wadula]

jamie? did you smoke something before writing that post?

 

[Sexualwasabi]

ugh I got that this morning actually! it was a yellow square light right? It came on and then went away after a bit, I'm at work now fixing to check out my manual....

 

[Sexualwasabi]

oh nevermind I'm a dork, that was my add more coolant icon that just went on

 

[Wadula]

if you have a 2000 model and need to fill up the coolant....have it checked. usually it does not disappear like that. check the hoses for leakage and look aunder the car in the morning if you find coolant on the floor.

 

[wingedtiger]

Is the warning light above the speedometer and tach? or below trip meter reset? The battery warning light is between the speedometer and tach and the radiator warning light is just below the trip meter reset.

 

[JamieD22]

...there are no other temperature warnings in our car besides the temp indicator and beep.
... It is more common to not get any warning and just to have a dead battery.
Have it checked out immediately.

The temp indicator is what I'm referring to - , with all do respect. I'm not aware of any "generic" indicators, though if he's experiencing this only in cold weather - then...

 

[Harman1]

the battery light could be due to it being drained at night this is what I know. When I took my car in for the tranny replacement I told them my battery was dead on to occasions, so when I went back and picked it up they said they had to reseat a code that was send to them in a bulletin by BMW. Hope this helps.

 

[MyHarley]

since this thread seems to be about all kinds of indicators.....I'll tell you mine......

my seatbelt indicator flashes for about 30 minutes periodically......and yes I have my seat belt fastened........I'll unhook it just to make sure it is fastened correctly and the seatbelt indicator keeps on flashing.......it also won't catch me when I brake during this time......hmmmmmm

just thought I would share............do you feel the love..........

 

[pietsch]

Hi,

I have a 2004 325XI with only 400 miles that started doing the same thing. Only my battery light comes on after starting the car warm. Same issue though. It doesn't turn off with the rest of the warning lights and stays on (red) for about 20 seconds then goes off for the rest of the day. It first happened on a rainy day. Then it happened a few days later on a dry day.

Bill

 

[pietsch]

Follow-up...They replaced my alternator and the light hasn't come back...yet.

 

[aNoodle]

thanks for getting back. people don't get back enough so the threads just trail off with everyone speculating.