King5

Yesterday I noticed the clock reset twice on two separate journeys, didn't think too much into it and in evenin I left parking lights on for 30mins by accident (thought I'd be 5mins), got back in car, car wouldn't start and message saying "INCREASED BATTERY DISCHARGE"

IDrive starts, dash lights up, interior lights and parking lights all start but no cranking at all. I had to call BMW Assistance to get towed home as they weren't allowed to jump start it until tomorrow morning.. Is my battery really dead or an underlying problem? The two clock resets making me think it's not leaving parking lights on for 30mins!!!!

I also got a message saying BRAKE LIGHT CONTROL FAILURE and the brake lights don't work..this message has gone but car still not starting. Could it be due to low battery?

stoic1

Hard to say right now.

Whats the mileage and year of the car?

King5

it a October 2005 530d, 78,000 miles on the clock
bmw assistance will not let me jump start the car, the recovery truck was not allowed to start it, just recover me home... his sheet of paper said..

"do not jump start a bmw diesel car as the Glow plug system could fail"

what a joke, now it looks like it needs to be recovered to bmw delaer JUST TO BE RESTARTED!!!

selbycy

Sounds like a new battery may be needed, do you still have the original battery from the factory in your car?

King5

All sorted now...BMW technician came to sort it out outside my house. It looks to be down to a faulty IBS lead (Intelligent Battery Sensor). They couldn't jump start it until this lead was disconnected. He had the wrong cable In his van so I've gotta get the dealer to replace it.

So annoying and embrassaing to get towed home because of a flat battery. I watched him do it and he jump started it without a big fuse (in the glove box), I'm assuming he removed this to protect electronics from the jump start