Thullz

I've been driving my winter car and the 530 had been sitting for the past 3 weeks. Went down to start it today and the battery was dead - almost dead. I got it to start after a couple of heavy cranks. However, the ABS, engine, brake lights came on, also the Idrive screen was blank and the windows wouldn't roll down.

When I turned it off the battery symbol came on. Please tell me its the weak battery that is causing mu console to light up like a christmas tree?

If so, can I simply install a new battery and problem solved?

Cheers and Happy New Year to everyone!

za3879

Did you take it for a drive? How often do you start it? I'm kind of in the same situation, except mine's a bit brutal. At the dealer, I put in a new battery, alternator (1500USD) and brought it home. Didnt drive it for 1.5 weeks but did start it in between. Went for a drive, at the stop light after 20 minutes everything lit up. I have a post a few below this one that you can read up on. They still have my car so I dont know what the issue is.

It can be:
battery
alternator
ECU
terminal cable that connects to the battery

From what I've read here on the forum thus far, they're all possiblities. I've eliminated some of those so far, and am still lookin for answers.
Keep us posted and let us know how it ends up.

nicke60gre

That's the reason, but why don't you try charging before replacement?

luigi524td

+1 ... sitting for 3 weeks [unheated garage or out of doors in freezing temps? ] will result in poor battery performance. See if you can resuscitate it with a slow deep charge.

Thullz

Unheated garage. I took it for a drive three weeks ago, it was a hard start then too but didn't get any of the warning lights. I was going to take it for another spin today but decided not to with all the warning lights.

So is it normal for a poor battery to cause all of the warnings plus no Idrive display? I just don't understand why all the warning lights are on even though the car did eventually start on its own.

Whether I charge it or replace the battery, will the warnings go away or is a trip to the dealer necessary?

Secondly, should I remedy it now or wait till the spring when I will drive it regularly.

nicke60gre

Yes it is normal since power management is cutting off all power consuming devices one after the other.
Charge it and all warnings will disappear ...until the next discharging.
You decide!