Battery warning light - replace now? - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

twinship · 11-27-2011, 03:55 PM

I've had the battery warning light come on 3 times over the past 2 days.

So far, no issues with car starting. But I'm wondering if it might not be better to replace the battery now... instead of waiting for it to fail at an inconvenient moment.

Car has been in service for ~4 years, and battery is original.

Chriztofor · 11-27-2011, 04:41 PM

I would replace it now. The light is going off for a reason. The battery may not be charging properly. Double check the owner's manual to make sure it is the battery warning. IN addition to showing a battery icon, the color (yellow/red) might mean a different problem.

twinship · 11-27-2011, 06:01 PM

Thx, wasn't aware that there are 2 different battery warning lights, red & yellow. Mine is yellow, meaning a "very low charge."

Guess that means a trip to the shop to at least have it diagnosed.

Glim · 11-27-2011, 09:13 PM

Battery life is only about four years

If you are still under warranty then it is a quick fix

If not, you can pick up a replacement at walmart and DIY or grab an 85 month Interstate AGM and install; you then have to code for an AGM which increases the charging voltage from 14.4 to 14.8.

rg87 · 11-27-2011, 10:59 PM

If you do change the battery, make sure to get it registered.

twinship · 11-28-2011, 10:14 AM

Thx for the tips.

1st time replacing a BMW battery -- wasn't aware that it needed to be registered.

Tom K. · 11-28-2011, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinship

Thx for the tips.

1st time replacing a BMW battery -- wasn't aware that it needed to be registered.

Registering the battery insures proper communication with the IBS unit (Intelligent Battery Sensor) which controls the charging rate.

When my '07 E91 displayed a BATTERY LOW message, a malfunctioning IBS was found to be the cause, so have it and the alternator checked out before replacing what may be a good battery.

Tom

phatr1s · 11-29-2011, 11:10 AM

Can some one explain me how to registered the battery.

Thanks

Tom K. · 11-29-2011, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phatr1s

Can some one explain me how to registered the battery.

Thanks

Any BMW dealer can handle it for you.

Tom

twinship · 11-29-2011, 01:37 PM

Update on this...

Got a new OEM battery at an independent shop. $199 for the battery + $115 labor, including coding to the car (they're BMW specialists).

11-27-2011, 03:55 PM	#1
twinship Booosted Drives: 2008 335i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 764 iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 335i [0.00]	Battery warning light - replace now? I've had the battery warning light come on 3 times over the past 2 days. So far, no issues with car starting. But I'm wondering if it might not be better to replace the battery now... instead of waiting for it to fail at an inconvenient moment. Car has been in service for ~4 years, and battery is original. __________________ 2008 BMW 335i//Jet Black on Black Dakota Leather//Steptronic, Sport Package, Premium Package, Logic7 Sound, Aluminum Trim, iPOD & USB, Cobb S1+ Sport, ER FMIC, K&N Filter, H&R Sport Springs, Koni Yellows, ECS Tuning spacers (F-10mm/R-15mm), OEM Rear Aero Spoiler, OEM Sport Diffusor, Cyba 3.8" Tips, OEM Aluminum Pedals, M-tech Steering Wheel, Clear Reflectors
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11-27-2011, 04:41 PM	#2
Chriztofor Colonel Drives: '06 325i Auto Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Burbs Posts: 2,434 iTrader: (1)	I would replace it now. The light is going off for a reason. The battery may not be charging properly. Double check the owner's manual to make sure it is the battery warning. IN addition to showing a battery icon, the color (yellow/red) might mean a different problem. __________________ For most BMW problems start off by scanning your car with the BT Tool or Peake Research Tool. They contain the actual BMW codes as opposed to a generic OBII scanner. Pays for itself on the 1st scan. http://www.bavariantechnic.com/ OR http://www.peakeresearch.com/ (less expensive, but does not reset battery info)

11-27-2011, 06:01 PM	#3
twinship Booosted Drives: 2008 335i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 764 iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 335i [0.00]	Thx, wasn't aware that there are 2 different battery warning lights, red & yellow. Mine is yellow, meaning a "very low charge." Guess that means a trip to the shop to at least have it diagnosed. __________________ 2008 BMW 335i//Jet Black on Black Dakota Leather//Steptronic, Sport Package, Premium Package, Logic7 Sound, Aluminum Trim, iPOD & USB, Cobb S1+ Sport, ER FMIC, K&N Filter, H&R Sport Springs, Koni Yellows, ECS Tuning spacers (F-10mm/R-15mm), OEM Rear Aero Spoiler, OEM Sport Diffusor, Cyba 3.8" Tips, OEM Aluminum Pedals, M-tech Steering Wheel, Clear Reflectors

11-27-2011, 10:59 PM	#5
rg87 Lieutenant Drives: E90 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 499 iTrader: (1)	If you do change the battery, make sure to get it registered. __________________ '06 E90 330I // 6spd // M3 Style Full Body Kit // Simota CF CAI // 19'' Avant Garde M368 // Bilstein PSS9

11-28-2011, 10:14 AM	#6
twinship Booosted Drives: 2008 335i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 764 iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 335i [0.00]	Thx for the tips. 1st time replacing a BMW battery -- wasn't aware that it needed to be registered. __________________ 2008 BMW 335i//Jet Black on Black Dakota Leather//Steptronic, Sport Package, Premium Package, Logic7 Sound, Aluminum Trim, iPOD & USB, Cobb S1+ Sport, ER FMIC, K&N Filter, H&R Sport Springs, Koni Yellows, ECS Tuning spacers (F-10mm/R-15mm), OEM Rear Aero Spoiler, OEM Sport Diffusor, Cyba 3.8" Tips, OEM Aluminum Pedals, M-tech Steering Wheel, Clear Reflectors

11-27-2011, 09:13 PM	#4
Glim Captain Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 771 iTrader: (0)	Battery life is only about four years If you are still under warranty then it is a quick fix If not, you can pick up a replacement at walmart and DIY or grab an 85 month Interstate AGM and install; you then have to code for an AGM which increases the charging voltage from 14.4 to 14.8.

11-29-2011, 11:10 AM	#8
phatr1s First Lieutenant Drives: 335i Sedan Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: TX Posts: 351 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00] 2007 335i [0.00] 2007 335i [0.00]	Can some one explain me how to registered the battery. Thanks __________________

11-29-2011, 01:37 PM	#10
twinship Booosted Drives: 2008 335i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 764 iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 335i [0.00]	Update on this... Got a new OEM battery at an independent shop. $199 for the battery + $115 labor, including coding to the car (they're BMW specialists). __________________ 2008 BMW 335i//Jet Black on Black Dakota Leather//Steptronic, Sport Package, Premium Package, Logic7 Sound, Aluminum Trim, iPOD & USB, Cobb S1+ Sport, ER FMIC, K&N Filter, H&R Sport Springs, Koni Yellows, ECS Tuning spacers (F-10mm/R-15mm), OEM Rear Aero Spoiler, OEM Sport Diffusor, Cyba 3.8" Tips, OEM Aluminum Pedals, M-tech Steering Wheel, Clear Reflectors

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