Battery, Starter, Alternator, something else??
#1
New Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
My Ride: 2004 BMW 530i
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Hi everyone!
I own a 2004 530i with about 116k miles on it. Been having issues with the car lately when starting, it happened when I was changing the angel eye bulbs (OEM) and it died on me. Started right up after a boost but since then it has been dying on me (luckily at home only). For a few days in the mornings, the first start is VERY rough and takes it several seconds to turn but today I went to start it and its dead. I had noticed with my little Bluetooth plug-in that gives out battery voltage readings, it was around 8-9V with those rough starts. Eventually after a few starts, it would be around 12V.
The car clicks and the dash lights come on, as well as the iDrive, but the engine doesnt turn over. After a while, it completely dies and doesn't click. The battery was replaced EXACTLY two years ago and just this past summer the IBS sensor failed and I replaced that, the car still does go to sleep so I dont believe it failed again. I did my fair share of googling but confused as to what it could be at this point. The car does not sit for weeks without driving, it is driven at least 3-4 times in a week.
Any thoughts would be appreciated, could it really be the battery? I will see if it starts up again with a jump tomorrow otherwise it'll have to be towed on Monday to the shop.
I also received the yellow battery icon in the dashboard, just an fyi.
I own a 2004 530i with about 116k miles on it. Been having issues with the car lately when starting, it happened when I was changing the angel eye bulbs (OEM) and it died on me. Started right up after a boost but since then it has been dying on me (luckily at home only). For a few days in the mornings, the first start is VERY rough and takes it several seconds to turn but today I went to start it and its dead. I had noticed with my little Bluetooth plug-in that gives out battery voltage readings, it was around 8-9V with those rough starts. Eventually after a few starts, it would be around 12V.
The car clicks and the dash lights come on, as well as the iDrive, but the engine doesnt turn over. After a while, it completely dies and doesn't click. The battery was replaced EXACTLY two years ago and just this past summer the IBS sensor failed and I replaced that, the car still does go to sleep so I dont believe it failed again. I did my fair share of googling but confused as to what it could be at this point. The car does not sit for weeks without driving, it is driven at least 3-4 times in a week.
Any thoughts would be appreciated, could it really be the battery? I will see if it starts up again with a jump tomorrow otherwise it'll have to be towed on Monday to the shop.
I also received the yellow battery icon in the dashboard, just an fyi.
Last edited by Bmw_4_life; 11-28-2020 at 01:49 PM.
#2
Super Moderator
![](https://5series.net/forums/images/ranks/veteran_army.png)
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Augusta, GA
Posts: 3,585
Likes: 0
Received 311 Likes
on
298 Posts
My Ride: 05 530i M54
Model Year: 05 530i
Engine: 3.0 M54
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
You need to have the alternator and battery checked out. The battery light is for the alternator. 9v is nothing. How old is the battery?
It's either the alternator not charging or your battery is dead. Could be both depending on how old the battery is or how long it's been happening
It's either the alternator not charging or your battery is dead. Could be both depending on how old the battery is or how long it's been happening
The following users liked this post:
donpb (11-28-2020)
#3
New Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
My Ride: 2004 BMW 530i
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
You need to have the alternator and battery checked out. The battery light is for the alternator. 9v is nothing. How old is the battery?
It's either the alternator not charging or your battery is dead. Could be both depending on how old the battery is or how long it's been happening
It's either the alternator not charging or your battery is dead. Could be both depending on how old the battery is or how long it's been happening
#4
Super Moderator
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
My bet its the battery especially if you've never registered it. First check the alternator output, charge the battery and then load test it.
#5
New Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
My Ride: 2004 BMW 530i
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The battery was replaced and registered and since then was working fine (until the IBS failed which I replaced in May, caused no issues until now). How can I go about checking the alternator output?
#6
Super Moderator
![](https://5series.net/forums/images/ranks/veteran_army.png)
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Augusta, GA
Posts: 3,585
Likes: 0
Received 311 Likes
on
298 Posts
My Ride: 05 530i M54
Model Year: 05 530i
Engine: 3.0 M54
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Do you have a OBDII reader that can load test. Do you have a battery charger? You can also go to advance auto or another store to have them test it if you can make it if not take the battery out and take it to them to charge it up. Install it and then take it there to have them load test it
#7
Super Moderator
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Do you have a OBDII reader that can load test. Do you have a battery charger? You can also go to advance auto or another store to have them test it if you can make it if not take the battery out and take it to them to charge it up. Install it and then take it there to have them load test it
If the IBS was acting wonky, it could have ended up eventually damaging the new battery.
#8
New Members
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
My Ride: 530d msport Lci 2007
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Get it started then put your multimeter over the battery whilst it is running, You should have a Minimum of 13.8 Volts. If less than 12V start at the alternator and work back.
#9
New Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
My Ride: 2004 BMW 530i
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Luckily I have two cars or else you'll have to wait there for hours. I already knew it was my battery but they had to prove it to themselves in order to honor my battery warranty. Dude said the battery was fine until I made him do a load test.
If the IBS was acting wonky, it could have ended up eventually damaging the new battery.
If the IBS was acting wonky, it could have ended up eventually damaging the new battery.
Do you have a OBDII reader that can load test. Do you have a battery charger? You can also go to advance auto or another store to have them test it if you can make it if not take the battery out and take it to them to charge it up. Install it and then take it there to have them load test it
![](https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/5series.net-vbulletin/750x1334/img_6040_6db3026cde96701cc1c2c4f173b3488f5be3d882.png)
![](https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/5series.net-vbulletin/750x1334/img_6041_1ec2784e8a1cf7479d4f98b8a9cf48c31129a61c.png)
Last edited by Bmw_4_life; 11-29-2020 at 01:14 PM.
#10
Super Moderator
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Get the battery checked, especially the load test.
The load test is supposed to be run without the engine running. If you had load test voltages that high, the engine must have been running.
When your battery is acting up, its common to trigger a boat load of codes.
The load test is supposed to be run without the engine running. If you had load test voltages that high, the engine must have been running.
When your battery is acting up, its common to trigger a boat load of codes.