How to Check the Battery Strength
#1
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My Ride: E60 M54
Model Year: 525i 2004
Guys, in case I have not been able to find the forums, please direct me but I am looking of ways to find out if my battery on my '04 525i E60 fully charged or not. I would like a confirmed method of check the battery charge with a multimeter or something else instead of the traditional BMW way below;
Note the colour of the hydrometer during each inspection or battery check and
proceed as follows:
Green = Battery charge adequate (no action necessary)
Black = The battery is inadequately charged (recharge the battery fully)
Pale yellow = Acid level too low (replace battery)
How can I confirm the following steps as per BMW's recommendation i.e. A fully
charged battery in new condition delivers a voltage of at least 12.7 volts.
- No further actions are necessary if the battery voltage is greater than 12.3 volts.
- If the battery voltage is between 12.0 volts and 12.3 volts, the battery must be
recharged for at least 12 hours.
- If the battery voltage is less than 12.0 volts, the battery is unserviceable and
must be disposed of at the expense of the workshop.
I have a very peculiar issue which is taking me to think my battery might not be fully charged where as the Magic-eye is green, so I want to confirm.
Note the colour of the hydrometer during each inspection or battery check and
proceed as follows:
Green = Battery charge adequate (no action necessary)
Black = The battery is inadequately charged (recharge the battery fully)
Pale yellow = Acid level too low (replace battery)
How can I confirm the following steps as per BMW's recommendation i.e. A fully
charged battery in new condition delivers a voltage of at least 12.7 volts.
- No further actions are necessary if the battery voltage is greater than 12.3 volts.
- If the battery voltage is between 12.0 volts and 12.3 volts, the battery must be
recharged for at least 12 hours.
- If the battery voltage is less than 12.0 volts, the battery is unserviceable and
must be disposed of at the expense of the workshop.
I have a very peculiar issue which is taking me to think my battery might not be fully charged where as the Magic-eye is green, so I want to confirm.
#2
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My Ride: 2004 545i, 6-speed Manual, Silver Grey Metallic, Grey Dakota Leather, Cold Weather Pkg, Premium Sound Pkg, Sport Pkg, Lumbar Support
How about trying the Hidden OBC menu, item #9 for the battery voltage? With the engine off, this gives the pure battery voltage and with the engine running, gives the alternator/charging voltage.
#3
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Guys, in case I have not been able to find the forums, please direct me but I am looking of ways to find out if my battery on my '04 525i E60 fully charged or not. I would like a confirmed method of check the battery charge with a multimeter or something else instead of the traditional BMW way below;
Note the colour of the hydrometer during each inspection or battery check and
proceed as follows:
Green = Battery charge adequate (no action necessary)
Black = The battery is inadequately charged (recharge the battery fully)
Pale yellow = Acid level too low (replace battery)
How can I confirm the following steps as per BMW's recommendation i.e. A fully
charged battery in new condition delivers a voltage of at least 12.7 volts.
- No further actions are necessary if the battery voltage is greater than 12.3 volts.
- If the battery voltage is between 12.0 volts and 12.3 volts, the battery must be
recharged for at least 12 hours.
- If the battery voltage is less than 12.0 volts, the battery is unserviceable and
must be disposed of at the expense of the workshop.
I have a very peculiar issue which is taking me to think my battery might not be fully charged where as the Magic-eye is green, so I want to confirm.
Note the colour of the hydrometer during each inspection or battery check and
proceed as follows:
Green = Battery charge adequate (no action necessary)
Black = The battery is inadequately charged (recharge the battery fully)
Pale yellow = Acid level too low (replace battery)
How can I confirm the following steps as per BMW's recommendation i.e. A fully
charged battery in new condition delivers a voltage of at least 12.7 volts.
- No further actions are necessary if the battery voltage is greater than 12.3 volts.
- If the battery voltage is between 12.0 volts and 12.3 volts, the battery must be
recharged for at least 12 hours.
- If the battery voltage is less than 12.0 volts, the battery is unserviceable and
must be disposed of at the expense of the workshop.
I have a very peculiar issue which is taking me to think my battery might not be fully charged where as the Magic-eye is green, so I want to confirm.
In addition to using a multimeter, one purchase I made that has been a big help is a cigarette lighter multimeter.
http://www.rvplus.com/prime-products...FWWCQgodPBsAXQ
Nice thing is you can monitor system voltage before starting, just after starting during alternator ramp-up and during a drive.
I used this same unit to trouble shoot my alternator voltage regulator, which would start at 13.5V, rise to 17V after 15 seconds, then fluctuate between 11.5V and 14V during my drive.
#5
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In addition to using a multimeter, one purchase I made that has been a big help is a cigarette lighter multimeter.
http://www.rvplus.co...CFWWCQgodPBsAXQ
Nice thing is you can monitor system voltage before starting, just after starting during alternator ramp-up and during a drive.
I used this same unit to trouble shoot my alternator voltage regulator, which would start at 13.5V, rise to 17V after 15 seconds, then fluctuate between 11.5V and 14V during my drive.
http://www.rvplus.co...CFWWCQgodPBsAXQ
Nice thing is you can monitor system voltage before starting, just after starting during alternator ramp-up and during a drive.
I used this same unit to trouble shoot my alternator voltage regulator, which would start at 13.5V, rise to 17V after 15 seconds, then fluctuate between 11.5V and 14V during my drive.
#7
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My Ride: 2004 545i, 6-speed Manual, Silver Grey Metallic, Grey Dakota Leather, Cold Weather Pkg, Premium Sound Pkg, Sport Pkg, Lumbar Support
Yea, use only the numbers (digits) not letters in the last positions of the VIN. Then, you must be careful counting the # of clicks when entering this number.
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My Ride: 2004 545i, 6-speed Manual, Silver Grey Metallic, Grey Dakota Leather, Cold Weather Pkg, Premium Sound Pkg, Sport Pkg, Lumbar Support
Maybe try the last 5 digits, thus 65588 = 32 instead. This is suggested by CHR15 above.
#10
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Location: Australia
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My Ride: E60 M54
Model Year: 525i 2004