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      02-26-2014, 11:56 AM   #1
achu
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FIXED :) water in battery well caused corrosion... [see post #19]

what's going on guysss??

basically long story short, my battery is fvcked and i bought a new one (Bosch S6 AGM 019), just got a few questions...

(the long story is: for the last 5k miles the ignition has been a tiny bit slow, not enough to worry about... it started fine the night before and then about 20 hours later the car just wouldn't start... it would just hum with all the start up lights... i thought it was cos there wasn't enough petrol (had about 10miles range) so i went out and got some with my mum's golf and put it in and still nada... so i checked the vehicle info and it said the oil is low, top up immediately (surprised i didn't get a warning earlier)... so i bought some oil and topped up... still nada...

at this point, i came on to laptop to check out possibilities... my guess was the starter motor packed up... and the forums agreed... but i thought i'd try a jump start anyways... used my dad's e60 and it started up like a dream!

but thennn, the car gave me a red battery warning saying the battery isn't charging and i should disconnect any unnecessary electrical stuff or something....

so i checked the voltages... with the car on it says 14.4-14.6v and without the car on it says 11.4v which must mean it's the battery right?)

anyways, my questions are:
1. can i change the battery myself without error codes coming up
2. if no, does anyone know a good indy around the harrow area? (i'm talking to motologic right now who seem okay, just waiting for a quote from them) i need a proper good indy where me and my dad can go regularly...
3. how much am i looking to pay to get the battery installed and coded?? just so i don't get riippped lol

thanks for the help!
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Last edited by achu; 02-26-2014 at 05:16 PM..
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      02-26-2014, 12:09 PM   #2
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I think that the AMG batterys need coding to the car. It needs registering to the car and reset the battery profile (i think) or the car will think that you have just recharged the old battery and continue to charge it like the old battery. Which can over cook a new one.

Hopefully someone with a bit more knowlegde confirm this
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      02-26-2014, 12:58 PM   #3
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Yea the battery's need registering to the car unfortunately.

Also, a problem I heard on earlier M3's was the "distribution box" under the pass side of the dash, basically the main battery lead from the battery goes to a junction box, and the terminal to feed all the eletrical components goes bad and overheats causing starting/other electrical faults but I dont know if this applies to any other E9X model.

Get a multi meter first of all and test your battery voltage. if less than 12v then it may just be knackered, if not try the distribution box...

easy way to tell is to pull the trim from the underside of the pass side dash off (2 torx screws) locate the distribution box and give it a thump with your hand a couple of times, and then try and start the car.
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      02-26-2014, 01:27 PM   #4
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Had to change the AGM battery on my old E87. The car would start fine, but on cold mornings the clocks and trip comp would reset. Thought it was best to get rid before it goes. My local indy charged £210 for a exide AGM battery, fitting and coding.
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      02-26-2014, 02:30 PM   #5
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First thing...
Check the battery compartment of E93. Had recently dealt with the same issue on E93. Discovered that there was water ingress and it broke the cable (do not ask me how).
The owner changed it and I was called just to battery registration and other bits.

If your car has 80Ah, then I have Original BMW AGM battery taken out of 2012 car and ready to go into the car.
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      02-26-2014, 04:04 PM   #6
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i can recommend a good indy in North london if that helps? He worked as a technician/mechanic for BMW for over 15 years and now has gone on his own, last BMW he worked was at Loughton Sytner.

he replaced and registered a new battery (BMW Battery) for me for around £200 which was £100 less than BMW tried to charge me!!!
His name is Indy, real nice bloke
Indy Tech BMW-Mini Specialist
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      02-26-2014, 04:43 PM   #7
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Don't forget these chaps in Hayes.......

http://www.prbmw.co.uk

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      02-26-2014, 05:14 PM   #8
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thanks for the help guys...

Quote:
Originally Posted by makkan00 View Post
First thing...
Check the battery compartment of E93. Had recently dealt with the same issue on E93. Discovered that there was water ingress and it broke the cable (do not ask me how).
The owner changed it and I was called just to battery registration and other bits.

If your car has 80Ah, then I have Original BMW AGM battery taken out of 2012 car and ready to go into the car.
i actually did find some water at the bottom of the battery but it hasnt really done any damage... i just googled and found out jon did a tutorial on how to fix this, thanks jon! will do it tomorrow

and noo my car requires 90Ah but i bought a 95Ah anyways... need to call up some places now!
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Last edited by achu; 02-26-2014 at 05:25 PM..
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      02-28-2014, 07:35 AM   #9
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guys, i've changed the battery and still nothing... coded it and everything... looks like the connection going from the battery to the engine is corroded as i had to pull out like 6L of water from the compartment :\

the voltage reading from the engine bay is 7V or something, and the reading at the battery is 12 which must mean it's a messed up connection right?

someone helppp the OBD thing reads it as an alternator fault but when the car is on the reading at the front is 14.7V and the reading at the battery is 11.6V....

what could it beee??

PS the car jump starts fine from the connections at the front...
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      02-28-2014, 07:44 AM   #10
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Read these two posts from the same thread

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...61&postcount=2

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...85&postcount=9

My advise is to clean up all the connectors and go from there
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      02-28-2014, 08:30 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by idnan View Post
Read these two posts from the same thread

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...61&postcount=2

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...85&postcount=9

My advise is to clean up all the connectors and go from there
yeah i read these posts too... thank you! just wanted someone to confirm before i do more work cos this is so long.... i just want to drive it!
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      02-28-2014, 10:31 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by achu View Post
yeah i read these posts too... thank you! just wanted someone to confirm before i do more work cos this is so long.... i just want to drive it!


Hey ache, I had a problem recently too, I actually posted here for help...I went abroad for 40 days, car wouldn't start, thought was the battery but all was fine after I found out water under the battery compartment ate through my + cable connector...took it out myself, bough the connector at a local shop (BMW wanted 75 pounds for a new cable), so I replaced the connector, put it all back, car started fine. you should check under your battery to make sure all is fine

By the way, had a scare 2 days ago with my E93, went to open up the roof (to get some fresh air as it has been raining for ages) and top wouldn't open!!!! I think some loose connector at the battery compartment as I removed the battery cover, messed around withe cables and after that roofed did open (what a relief!!!!)
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      02-28-2014, 11:29 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hmpmarketing View Post
Hey ache, I had a problem recently too, I actually posted here for help...I went abroad for 40 days, car wouldn't start, thought was the battery but all was fine after I found out water under the battery compartment ate through my + cable connector...took it out myself, bough the connector at a local shop (BMW wanted 75 pounds for a new cable), so I replaced the connector, put it all back, car started fine. you should check under your battery to make sure all is fine

By the way, had a scare 2 days ago with my E93, went to open up the roof (to get some fresh air as it has been raining for ages) and top wouldn't open!!!! I think some loose connector at the battery compartment as I removed the battery cover, messed around withe cables and after that roofed did open (what a relief!!!!)
ahh okok, do you have a picture of the connector so i know what to look for??

i was thinking to just use some 0 gauge audio power cable to make my own connector insteada paying a stupid amount to BMW...
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      02-28-2014, 12:24 PM   #14
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I found a receipt at the back of my glovebox from bmw assist. It was when previous owner had the car.

It wouldn't start and they replaced a battery cable and all was well. They also found water there. Stated it had corroded through somewhere.

Since I cleaned the underside drain plugs all has been dry so far. I will dig out receipt and quote what it was they actually did but at work now mate

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      02-28-2014, 06:45 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blues n twos View Post
I found a receipt at the back of my glovebox from bmw assist. It was when previous owner had the car.

It wouldn't start and they replaced a battery cable and all was well. They also found water there. Stated it had corroded through somewhere.

Since I cleaned the underside drain plugs all has been dry so far. I will dig out receipt and quote what it was they actually did but at work now mate

Jon
i tried your draining thing but nothing came out? do you have to jack the car up because i didn't bother lol... i'm pretty sure some drainage pipe is clogged up somewhere! i couldn't believe i pumped out 6 litres :\
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Last edited by achu; 02-28-2014 at 06:53 PM..
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      03-01-2014, 03:34 AM   #16
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If it starts off a jump but won't off your battery it could be your alternator.

Just before I sold my X5 I was driving and got the Red battery light. The car inevitably broke down a few days later, was on the way to my brothers birthday meal, gearbox light, engine light, gearbox in limp mode, then it cut out.

After a jump we got it working again and strangely the light went off and for the next couple of days it was back to normal again, but 3 days later it wouldn't start.

I used the 'hidden menu' thing to check the voltage and it was around 11v. I bought a used alternator off eBay for £40 and fitted it myself, worked a treat!
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      03-01-2014, 09:30 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by achu View Post
ahh okok, do you have a picture of the connector so i know what to look for??

i was thinking to just use some 0 gauge audio power cable to make my own connector insteada paying a stupid amount to BMW...
The connector looks like this:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_255205

Its a bigger one though (only the connector). Halfords one is a bit small so I went to a local car parts shop and they provided me with the connector (£2) + the crimping tool job (as I didn't have a crimping tool

I would recommend you taking the battery out and take a look underneath the battery tray just to be sure. I was about to buy a brand new battery and cable thinking it was the battery!!! Some also suggested an alternator problem, but in my case, all was fine with it
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      03-01-2014, 08:23 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hmpmarketing View Post
The connector looks like this:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_255205

Its a bigger one though (only the connector). Halfords one is a bit small so I went to a local car parts shop and they provided me with the connector (£2) + the crimping tool job (as I didn't have a crimping tool

I would recommend you taking the battery out and take a look underneath the battery tray just to be sure. I was about to buy a brand new battery and cable thinking it was the battery!!! Some also suggested an alternator problem, but in my case, all was fine with it
i didn't buy the cable in the end, i just cut it and recrimped a new end fixed it beautifully! thank you for the advice!
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      03-01-2014, 08:32 PM   #19
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i feel like the whole water in the battery well isn't taken as seriously as it should be! people say it too casually lol...

anyways, i found more water down below the battery tray and what i saw after scared the shit out of me... how it did not short or blow up, i have no idea but check this out:


those were the +ve connections at the bottom by the battery :\

when i tried to clean it up the thicker wire just broke off :|



anyways, i used brake cleaner to take out all the crap and wiped it all down... clipped the corroded bits off the wires and recrimped them and applied heatshrink and this is how it finished:


everything connected up and the car was fine

and i closed myself in the boot and looked around with a torch as a friend hosed the car to spot where the leak was coming from... turns out the boot rubber sealing around the trunk was caught somewhere which misshaped it and it let droplets of water through... ordered a new one and put some silicone in its place as a temp fix... left the battery open to let the area dry out properly...

i didn't need a new battery in the end! i'm gonna try get my old one back and keep it as a spare or recharge it then sell it... get back some of the unnecessary money i spent! the fix in the end was technically free!

anyways, i feel like everybody should check the battery area for water cos this shit could fvck up your whole car!

hope i helped!
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      03-02-2014, 02:02 AM   #20
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The neighbours must of laughed seeing you lock yourself in the book lol
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      03-02-2014, 04:29 AM   #21
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This is a prime exam why car forums are great!

Great work & thanks for the advice......
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      03-03-2014, 11:43 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by achu View Post
i didn't buy the cable in the end, i just cut it and recrimped a new end fixed it beautifully! thank you for the advice!
Really glad!!!!

Also maybe we should meet sometime and get a photoshoot done together? what u say
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