Hey fellow mates - first time I'm experiencing something that I can't get a solid response to. My 06 525xi (50k miles of course) was working just fine and suddenly it won't start. I do NOT get a "High Battery Drain" on my screen but I get the "car lift" on my odometer. I was able to start it with jumper cables attached to the front, drove it around for about 5-10 minutes, washed the car after and let it parked.

This morning same thing it won't start. It tries to start though but seems like it does not have enough power and dies. Should I just go ahead and get a new battery or/and IBS? I'm worried after spending on replacement, it doesn't solve the issue.

**When I was washing the car, I could hear some electronic movement behind the radiator (not sure but somewhere around) like something is still on and stopped after 10-15 minutes.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

 

If the battery on the car is original battery, I recommend replacing the battery.
Before replacing the battery, you may want to test the voltage at the battery terminals when the engine is off and another reading when the engine is running.

Fully charged battery should read around 12.6V (while engine is off) and it should read around 14V while the engine is running. Please take those 2 readings and let us know what those readings are.

You can take battery voltage readings under the hood. Connect positive terminal [of the voltmeter] to the terminal under red cover in the engine compartment and negative terminal to any ground connection (strut tower bolts will do).

 

+1 - Probably battery.

In addition to measuring the battery and alternator output voltage yourself you can take it to any national auto store chain and they will computer test the battery and alternator for free.

If it is the battery, research this and other forums for the many previous posts (ad nauseam) on purchasing the correct battery, correctly installing it yourself (without damaging other components) and registering it as an alternative to spending $350-$750 at a dealer for a new battery.

 

Start with the battery, as it will be the cheapest place to start.

If you still have issues, it's likely the alternator. The alternator uses kinetic energy to help keep the battery charged during motion. If after a new battery, your car is still not starting, the alternator would apparently be bad.

Start with the battery, and I suspect the problem will stop. As stated earlier, you can get some more diagnostic info to support the battery by using the Volt Ohm Metter and checking the voltages.


BEst of luck! These e60's start to behave VERY STRANGELY when the battery starts to go.

 

I'll have my battery tested on Tuesday just to make sure it is indeed the battery which I do feel like its the battery since its the original battery. I'll probably swallow the bullet and get a new battery from the $tealer. I'll kkep y'all posted. Thanks all.