Failing Battery
05-07-2011 | 01:25 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Members
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 518
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From: Colorado USA
My Ride: 2004 545i, 6-speed Manual, Silver Grey Metallic, Grey Dakota Leather, Cold Weather Pkg, Premium Sound Pkg, Sport Pkg, Lumbar Support
I still have the original battery in my 2004 e60, and today I think I just saw the first sign of failing. Got the ABS Fail alert in the iDrive when pressing brake pedal at a stop sign. Nothing felt different, and after parking and re-starting, no warnings remained. After reading all the discussions about replacing batteries/registering in the forum, I think I'm going to be cautious and just go with the dealership replacement for about $400. I was going to check the indicator window on the battery because there is an indication for "replace the battery". Previously it had been black indicating "not fully charged".
Was wondering if this indication sounds like a sign of failing battery, and how long I have before things really go bad?
Was wondering if this indication sounds like a sign of failing battery, and how long I have before things really go bad?
05-07-2011 | 02:23 PM
#2
Senior Members
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,380
Likes: 3
From: Indiana, USA
My Ride: 2007 530xi: Sport, NAV, PDC, HUD, Cold Wthr, CA, Logic 7, HD Radio, SAT, Custom NCS coded options 2008 535xi: Sport, Night Vision, NAV, PDC, HUD, Cold Wthr, CA, Logic 7, SAT, Custom NCS coded options, Rear Seat Heat Retrofit, Passport 9500ci
Model Year: 2008
Engine: N54
I still have the original battery in my 2004 e60, and today I think I just saw the first sign of failing. Got the ABS Fail alert in the iDrive when pressing brake pedal at a stop sign. Nothing felt different, and after parking and re-starting, no warnings remained. After reading all the discussions about replacing batteries/registering in the forum, I think I'm going to be cautious and just go with the dealership replacement for about $400. I was going to check the indicator window on the battery because there is an indication for "replace the battery". Previously it had been black indicating "not fully charged".
Was wondering if this indication sounds like a sign of failing battery, and how long I have before things really go bad?
Was wondering if this indication sounds like a sign of failing battery, and how long I have before things really go bad?
You have a seven year old battery. How much more time do you want out of it?
Don't fight the inevitable... get a new one I think.
In the mean time you can put a battery charger on it.
05-07-2011 | 03:48 PM
#4
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 361
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From: Thousand Oaks, CA
My Ride: 2004 BMW 545i Silver,Gray, Metallic. Blk Dakota leather. Nav. Heads up disply. PDC. Pro logic 7 sound. 35% tint.
Mods. MTECH body kit. OEM trunk finisher and M5 spoiler.OEM 166 wheels. Blk and wht CF Roundels.
Orion V2 AEs. LCI taillights with Ricky effect. LED interior lights. LED license plate light. HID fogs. Smoked LED side markers. White cluster mod. Coding. RPI scoop & BMC filter. Gloss black OEM grills.CF interior trim. B&B exhaust.
I have an 04 E60 as well.
My indicator was black for a while and then I started getting
some weird warnings.
I replaced the battery and everything when away, no problems.
Don't go to the dealer.
I got mine at a local shop and paid less than $200 installed and registered.
My indicator was black for a while and then I started getting
some weird warnings.
I replaced the battery and everything when away, no problems.
Don't go to the dealer.
I got mine at a local shop and paid less than $200 installed and registered.
05-07-2011 | 05:54 PM
#6
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 332
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From: San Francisco
My Ride: 2008 550i - Sport Package, Sport Transmission, Active Steering, Navigation, Comfort Access, 7 Logic Stereo
The first signs I saw were the time and date resetting themselves on a regular basis. Then came the Active Steering error messages.
05-07-2011 | 06:07 PM
#7
Contributors
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,863
Likes: 1
From: SoCal San Diego
My Ride: 545i Sport
Model Year: 2004
Engine: N62
I just bought the battery shown below from AutoBarn.com . It's the same as the dealer's AGM battery (part # 61217594976) that sells for $270.
Simon (nomis_nehc) will help me "register" the battery to the car's ECU tomorrow.
Features:
Simon (nomis_nehc) will help me "register" the battery to the car's ECU tomorrow.
Features:
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05-09-2011 | 12:42 PM
#8
Members
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
My Ride: 07 550i Titanium Silver, Black Dakota Leather, Steptronic, Sport, Premium, Nav, Sat. Radio, Logic 7, Comfort Access, Rear Sunshade.
05-09-2011 | 06:59 PM
#10
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,652
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My Ride: 2006 BMW 550i
you car is an 07, and chances are it could have been made in 06. so that means your battery could be pushing 5 years old....which means the battery is towards the end of its life. batteries last 3-5 years on average. any longer, and you are pushing your luck.