Batteries? What's the lowdown on replacement - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

shrink · 03-12-2013, 06:42 PM

So I have a 2005 325i

It's clearly on its original battery, and is now complaining about very low charge any time the car is sat for more than 2-3 mins with the engine off. So looks like the battery is dying.

I've searched high and low on this and other forums, but can't get a properly clear picture of my options here.

Some suggest I can just replace it and get on with my life, others say it needs reset by a dealer for a new battery, meaning nonsense costs.

So what's the deal? Has something as simple as a battery really become a dealer replacement part, if so, BMW really don't miss a trick do they.

GoRomeo · 03-12-2013, 06:46 PM

You havent found the info on this yet....keep reading....

shrink · 03-13-2013, 02:43 AM

Oh plenty info, but no real consensus. Too much confusion out there.

Looking for someone that really knows what they are doing to suggest a more difinitive answer

Dan-danGT · 03-13-2013, 03:56 AM

I dont know lots on the battery issue, But i do have a snap on solus pro diagnostic machine. If i go into the engine ecu i can programme a new battery to the vehicle.
So yes it does need to be programmed but i imagine if you found a indy locally they should do that for you.
Only reason i can see why it needs programming is so the battery management system knows its a new battery and wont drain so fast as a old one, and will also not need some many amps to charge it either. Someone will be along soon to correct a few things im sure
Dan

doughboy · 03-13-2013, 04:26 AM

Just take it to a good garage (any one) they will check its not your alternator first of all.

They will have autologic or similar and be able to do diagnostics / resetting via that.

No BMW Dealer shafting required.

chesney72 · 03-13-2013, 04:42 AM

If you want to drive up to me I'll register it for you but I'm 100 miles away from Edinburgh and there's bound to be an indy in Edinburgh that can do it. It takes a few minutes.

I registered my 2nd battery with Tool32 (BMW Standard Tools) and its been fine since. My first one I simply changed and it started failing within a month!!

I think what Shrink is asking is whether his car is old enough not to need it as there is some talk saying some pre 2006 cars might not need it. My suggestion would be to ask the dealer to check but you take a chance that you call somebody with a clue!

WHatever you do make sure its the exact same spec of battery as if the amp is different you need to code it as well as register it.

EDIT: indy/bmw also use DIS/GT1 and there are online guides for both methods.

a11y · 03-13-2013, 07:38 AM

I replaced the battery in my 2007/57 330i without any sort of battery coding to the vehicle. I determined what replacement battery I needed (I didn't realise car batteries had codes in the same way that AA/D size batteries do) and fitted it myself. No problems after 2k more miles.

I had similar symptoms to you: got warnings about low battery charge then it refused to start after I was fannying around with audio with the engine off for a while.

shrink · 03-15-2013, 06:44 PM

Thanks guys... So still some thinking to do!

God bless over complicated cars!

Terryk · 03-17-2013, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shrink

Thanks guys... So still some thinking to do!

God bless over complicated cars!

tell it again mate...I think we 'll start reminisce the e30s

Why we can't have the simplicity of those cars with the benefits (in safety and efficiency) of a modern car?

in few years time from now, if we 'll decide to use a different shampoo or wax than the manufacturer will advice, we 'll be forced to code it first in order the car's body panels to accept it.

shrink · 03-17-2013, 06:02 PM

Absolutely, and some of the tech is needless. You can't help but feel the only requirement that a battery charging monitoring system fills, is that of giving BMW something else to charge for. I'm fairly sure other companies don't make it such a pain to replace a battery.

I'm also sure that batteries worked just fine in my e46 without these systems in place!

Dr Dave · 03-24-2013, 02:31 AM

Just replace the battery with a new one with the same rating as the old, job done, happy days

no need for dealer shafting.

skybox · 03-25-2013, 12:59 PM

Hi Guys, Is this the get around for new battery replacement with out the need to register it? Let me know your thoughts.

shrink · 03-26-2013, 09:03 AM

well not what i'd call a "workaround" as all he does is replace the battery.

what he's done is come up with a "workaround" for not having to reset your clocks and windows etc!

shrink · 03-26-2013, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Dave

Just replace the battery with a new one with the same rating as the old, job done, happy days

no need for dealer shafting.

and what about the charging system potentially knackering the new battery?

03-12-2013, 06:42 PM	#1
shrink Captain Drives: E90 325i SE Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Edinburgh (UK) Posts: 659 iTrader: (1)	Batteries? What's the lowdown on replacement So I have a 2005 325i It's clearly on its original battery, and is now complaining about very low charge any time the car is sat for more than 2-3 mins with the engine off. So looks like the battery is dying. I've searched high and low on this and other forums, but can't get a properly clear picture of my options here. Some suggest I can just replace it and get on with my life, others say it needs reset by a dealer for a new battery, meaning nonsense costs. So what's the deal? Has something as simple as a battery really become a dealer replacement part, if so, BMW really don't miss a trick do they.
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03-13-2013, 04:26 AM	#5
doughboy Major General Drives: E91 335i LCI Manual Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK Posts: 5,759 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2009 335i Tourer E91N [5.00]	Just take it to a good garage (any one) they will check its not your alternator first of all. They will have autologic or similar and be able to do diagnostics / resetting via that. No BMW Dealer shafting required. __________________ JB4 15ohm - QUAIFE LSD - BIRDS B3 SUSPENSION - HARTGE ARBS - ETS FMIC - ER CHARGE PIPE - FORGE DVs- M3 FRONT ARMS & REAR SUBFRAME BUSHES - M3 STRUT BRACE - AR OCC - AFE DCI - BMWP SSK - RPI SCOOPS Last edited by doughboy; 03-13-2013 at 05:35 AM.

03-13-2013, 04:42 AM	#6
chesney72 Second Lieutenant Drives: JB4 G5 335i Sport Touring Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Scotland Posts: 272 iTrader: (1)	If you want to drive up to me I'll register it for you but I'm 100 miles away from Edinburgh and there's bound to be an indy in Edinburgh that can do it. It takes a few minutes. I registered my 2nd battery with Tool32 (BMW Standard Tools) and its been fine since. My first one I simply changed and it started failing within a month!! I think what Shrink is asking is whether his car is old enough not to need it as there is some talk saying some pre 2006 cars might not need it. My suggestion would be to ask the dealer to check but you take a chance that you call somebody with a clue! WHatever you do make sure its the exact same spec of battery as if the amp is different you need to code it as well as register it. EDIT: indy/bmw also use DIS/GT1 and there are online guides for both methods. Last edited by chesney72; 03-13-2013 at 04:53 AM.

03-13-2013, 07:38 AM	#7
a11y Private First Class Drives: E90 330i M Sport Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Central Scotland Posts: 177 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E90 330i M Sport [0.00] 2004 VW T5 Campervan [0.00]	I replaced the battery in my 2007/57 330i without any sort of battery coding to the vehicle. I determined what replacement battery I needed (I didn't realise car batteries had codes in the same way that AA/D size batteries do) and fitted it myself. No problems after 2k more miles. I had similar symptoms to you: got warnings about low battery charge then it refused to start after I was fannying around with audio with the engine off for a while. __________________ BMW e90 330i M Sport

03-24-2013, 02:31 AM	#11
Dr Dave Zummerzet Zyder Drinker! Drives: '06 330D Le Mans Blue Join Date: May 2009 Location: Somerset Posts: 5,481 iTrader: (3) Garage List 2006 330d M Sport [0.00]	Just replace the battery with a new one with the same rating as the old, job done, happy days no need for dealer shafting. __________________

03-12-2013, 06:46 PM	#2
GoRomeo Major Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 1,109 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [4.00]	You havent found the info on this yet....keep reading....

03-13-2013, 02:43 AM	#3
shrink Captain Drives: E90 325i SE Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Edinburgh (UK) Posts: 659 iTrader: (1)	Oh plenty info, but no real consensus. Too much confusion out there. Looking for someone that really knows what they are doing to suggest a more difinitive answer

03-13-2013, 03:56 AM	#4
Dan-danGT Private First Class Drives: E90 330d M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 124 iTrader: (0)	I dont know lots on the battery issue, But i do have a snap on solus pro diagnostic machine. If i go into the engine ecu i can programme a new battery to the vehicle. So yes it does need to be programmed but i imagine if you found a indy locally they should do that for you. Only reason i can see why it needs programming is so the battery management system knows its a new battery and wont drain so fast as a old one, and will also not need some many amps to charge it either. Someone will be along soon to correct a few things im sure Dan

03-15-2013, 06:44 PM	#8
shrink Captain Drives: E90 325i SE Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Edinburgh (UK) Posts: 659 iTrader: (1)	Thanks guys... So still some thinking to do! God bless over complicated cars!

03-17-2013, 06:02 PM	#10
shrink Captain Drives: E90 325i SE Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Edinburgh (UK) Posts: 659 iTrader: (1)	Absolutely, and some of the tech is needless. You can't help but feel the only requirement that a battery charging monitoring system fills, is that of giving BMW something else to charge for. I'm fairly sure other companies don't make it such a pain to replace a battery. I'm also sure that batteries worked just fine in my e46 without these systems in place!

03-25-2013, 12:59 PM	#12
skybox Private First Class Drives: E92 335i Dinan II Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Dacula, GA Posts: 122 iTrader: (1)	Hi Guys, Is this the get around for new battery replacement with out the need to register it? Let me know your thoughts.

03-26-2013, 09:03 AM	#13
shrink Captain Drives: E90 325i SE Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Edinburgh (UK) Posts: 659 iTrader: (1)	well not what i'd call a "workaround" as all he does is replace the battery. what he's done is come up with a "workaround" for not having to reset your clocks and windows etc!

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