JasonH

I wonder if your battery is actually duff and although it can hold a decent voltage its capacity is severly diminished or its internal resistance is high.

hbs_8

I'm also facing this issue on my e61 525 2006.

But I noticed that when I go out of the car and I don't leave the light switch in the "auto" position, my issue is solved.

Maybe give it a try?
I hope it also helps for you...

Steve J

Hmm that's an interesting one.

Specialist didn't get round to doing anything today so car going back in tomorrow for a few days. The state of the tow bar wiring was mentioned though (it was fitted by the dealer as a condition of our purchase a couple of years back) as a possible culprit.
It's on an acumate charger which is maxing at 0.8a so hopefully it may start without needing to jump off our Abarth in the morning (would make a change).

Steve J

Had the diagnosis from Quarry. Battery is knackered and is losing the charge rather than something drawing the charge off it. Seems like it's the original battery too which is not what I expected having been told we had a new battery put in the car upon purchase as the previous one was dead. Looks like the dealer just charged the old one then wasn't very interested when we had issues with the car not starting if left for a week.
I'll be taking this up with the dealership we bought the car from.

Also the starter motor needs replacing too.

Hmm, so much for reliable German engineering.

sheaa

I got the same message and just got the car back from the dealer. After 2 weeks of troubleshooting at the dealership, they found out that the comfort access antenna was staying on. That was after swapping the comfort access handle sensor and bluetooth module, as well as the latest software.

So far so good. It's been a week and no more drained battery message.

Maxxy Priest

I too had a batery drain and the car was left at the stealers for a few days

The drain was present and they narrowed it down to the front of the car. There is a fuse box in the nearside glove compartment and when they pulled out the 7th fuse from the left - the drain stopped. They reinserted the fuse and the drain has vanished and the car is still functioning properly and that was 3 weeks ago

I've still got a battery pack in the boot just in case but worth a try if your pulling your hair out and need something else to try

All the best

Scott

rubencr

Sorry that I didn't post my most recent (and hopefully final) experience with the battery drain issue. I went through many visits to the dealer, whom I believe was doing their best to find a problem and keep me happy (becoming increasingly difficult with each dead battery and service visit incident). I'll spare you the multitude of replaced batteries and searching and take you right to their final (please!!) diagnosis: current drain originating from the fuseblock!!

In the good old days, a fuseblock was a passive device that distributed power and housed the fuses and circuit breakers. I suppose that the new electrical systems include fuseblocks with active circuitry and who knows what else. In any case, they determined this after consulting with the factory. What I now realize I am not certain of is whether there is only one fuse block in the E61 (under the battery cover in the rear compartment) or if there is a second elsewhere. I believe that they replaced the one (only) in the rear compartment. After replacing the fuseblock (sourced from Germany - there were none in the US) and charging the battery, the car has started reliably.

It has been about 10 weeks since the service and so far, so good. I am concerned that the battery was compromised by repeated deep discharge, but I was told that the battery warranty will address this, if need be (?).

I am hopeful that I have seen the last of this issue. Unfortunately, I continue to see a variety of warnings, most of an electrical nature. This is the area of this vehicle that has caused me a great deal of suffering and uncertainty, As my warrany has now expired, I am fully exposed to the costs that these problems will incur.

Dandle

Thanks for the update. Always helpful if someone else has similar problems.

karman1977

hi
have any find solution about this battery discharging high rate?
i find many threads and posts about this, and it looks like it happens to many of E60/61 users, but the only thing that there can be many components which can cause this problem.
1. door handle module
2. IBS
3 battery
etc

i have a question how can You figure it out if it is door handle or IBS. How can i check those components, if its possible or You just take new one change and if it helps its good if no, then buy next component and change?

thanks

javamac

Hi...I have an E61 2006 that started exhibiting a similar problem about a year ago. Two BMW UK dealers couldn't find out what the issue was even after performing software updates etc. The third one determined that the tailgate lock switch (the glass panel) was faulty and was for some reason keeping the electrics live and draining the battery. I got the car back 2 weeks ago and it's been great so far.

Cheers