525touringwales

Hi all, new to this forum, i think i might have an issue with the car, a couple of days ago had a fault registered on idrive, which was the "high battery drain", prior the this the car has been little used over christmas period and when it was only short drives 1-2 miles only, everything at the moment seems fine and have just driven 120 miles with no issues and the only difference i have noticed over the last couple of days is that the two small data boxes between the speedo and the rev counter appear to be constantly lit and on even when the car has been turned off and key removed for an hour, and at times has the vin number etc showing when it should not be?, thanks in advance for any help given

525touringwales

Hi, after further reading up, the fault could either be battery related or possibly got fault with the dash light/cluster lights between the speedo and rev counter, does anyone have any ideas why the cluster light would stay on (awake) although it should shut down (sleep), thanks in advance

twh

If you have a battery more than 2 years old, just get a new one. You may not need it right now, but it isn't wasted money. Then see where to go from there if it isn't just fixed.

BimmerFan52

Some times their little pea brains just need to be restarted (like rebooting your computer).

Try disconnecting the negative battery cable for one hour and then reconnecting it. Put a rag over the negative battery terminal to make sure the battery cable doesn't touch it again while it is off. Be gentle with the cable and don't over tighten it when replacing it as you can easily strip it and it doesn't need to be that tight.

You should also learn how to use a multi-meter (if you don't already know how) so you can measure the battery voltage under the hood at the jump connector and ground connector. Being able to measure battery voltage while the engine is off and system voltage while the engine is running is the quickest way to check the battery state of charge and check for proper alternator operation.

If this battery disconnect doesn't clear up your dash problems you will need to check the battery or have it checked at an auto store. If the battery is good post back and we can direct you to the next stage of trouble shooting.

525touringwales

Hi, thanks for responses, just had the car plugged into solus computer, code displayed was "5142 can time - out instrument cluster", could this be a cluster fault?, could this be repaired?

twh

I'd still replace the battery first if it is more than 2 years old. It may be unnecessary to fix this problem, but it might just be the problem. It is also not that expensive and you'll have to do it in a couple of years anyway. These cars are so electronics laden.

BimmerFan52

If you know how to hook a scanning computer to the ODB II port you certainly know how to measure battery voltage. What does the open circuit battery voltage read at rest (car asleep)?

525touringwales

Hi, thanks again for your help, tested battery off load, reading 12.48v with a super dooper battery tester (borrowed from work mate today), the tester also tests the AH up to max 100AH, but surprisingly it showed to be above 100ah although the battery is a 95AH 800c Varta type?, the battery has been on the car for about 24hours with no extra charge and the cluster middle lights on and have now removed the cluster fuse to save from discharging

sanjsanj

have you read the error codes? where abouts in wales are you?

525touringwales

Hi, yes got "5142 Can time - out instrument cluster" thanks, Llanidloes SY18 bang in the middle