Battery Drain
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From: Melbourne, Australia
My understanding of the issue is that in order to comply with US emissions requirements whilst still offering class leading features and benefits (electrical options/safety features) BMW took a deliberate decision to reduce the alternator output to the minimum they deemed necessary to operate the systems. This reduced the load on the engine and therefore the fuel consumption.
An unintended consequence of a trickle charge to the battery is that owners are now required to drive at highway speed so many times a week for a given period in order to keep the battery charged.
Over in Western Australia, it has created a huge problem as a large percentage of BMW owners live close to the city in the Western suburbs (Dalkeith etc) and the short trips are causing numerous battery failures, whilst here in Victoria, the issue isn't as apparent as more miles are driven.
When my battery failed it was 'adverse driving conditions' ie I was not driving long enough or far enough. It is apparently this gradual draining of the battery that causes the problem, not leaving the car for a week or so without driving it.
I understand that the dealers are pulling out their hair in trying to get BMW to do something about it as it is done (plus the economy mapping in the transmissions) entirely to suit their largest market.
It does beg the question though of why do Mercedes not suffer these problems, but then my impression is that BMW have far more systems..... maybe someone else can comment.
From the above, I would think that any action would have a limited chance of success.....
Cheers
J
An unintended consequence of a trickle charge to the battery is that owners are now required to drive at highway speed so many times a week for a given period in order to keep the battery charged.
Over in Western Australia, it has created a huge problem as a large percentage of BMW owners live close to the city in the Western suburbs (Dalkeith etc) and the short trips are causing numerous battery failures, whilst here in Victoria, the issue isn't as apparent as more miles are driven.
When my battery failed it was 'adverse driving conditions' ie I was not driving long enough or far enough. It is apparently this gradual draining of the battery that causes the problem, not leaving the car for a week or so without driving it.
I understand that the dealers are pulling out their hair in trying to get BMW to do something about it as it is done (plus the economy mapping in the transmissions) entirely to suit their largest market.
It does beg the question though of why do Mercedes not suffer these problems, but then my impression is that BMW have far more systems..... maybe someone else can comment.
From the above, I would think that any action would have a limited chance of success.....
Cheers
J
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Originally Posted by VHHDT' post='953891' date='Jul 25 2009, 04:01 AM
My understanding of the issue is that in order to comply with US emissions requirements whilst still offering class leading features and benefits (electrical options/safety features) BMW took a deliberate decision to reduce the alternator output to the minimum they deemed necessary to operate the systems. This reduced the load on the engine and therefore the fuel consumption.
An unintended consequence of a trickle charge to the battery is that owners are now required to drive at highway speed so many times a week for a given period in order to keep the battery charged.
Over in Western Australia, it has created a huge problem as a large percentage of BMW owners live close to the city in the Western suburbs (Dalkeith etc) and the short trips are causing numerous battery failures, whilst here in Victoria, the issue isn't as apparent as more miles are driven.
When my battery failed it was 'adverse driving conditions' ie I was not driving long enough or far enough. It is apparently this gradual draining of the battery that causes the problem, not leaving the car for a week or so without driving it.
I understand that the dealers are pulling out their hair in trying to get BMW to do something about it as it is done (plus the economy mapping in the transmissions) entirely to suit their largest market.
It does beg the question though of why do Mercedes not suffer these problems, but then my impression is that BMW have far more systems..... maybe someone else can comment.
From the above, I would think that any action would have a limited chance of success.....
Cheers
J
An unintended consequence of a trickle charge to the battery is that owners are now required to drive at highway speed so many times a week for a given period in order to keep the battery charged.
Over in Western Australia, it has created a huge problem as a large percentage of BMW owners live close to the city in the Western suburbs (Dalkeith etc) and the short trips are causing numerous battery failures, whilst here in Victoria, the issue isn't as apparent as more miles are driven.
When my battery failed it was 'adverse driving conditions' ie I was not driving long enough or far enough. It is apparently this gradual draining of the battery that causes the problem, not leaving the car for a week or so without driving it.
I understand that the dealers are pulling out their hair in trying to get BMW to do something about it as it is done (plus the economy mapping in the transmissions) entirely to suit their largest market.
It does beg the question though of why do Mercedes not suffer these problems, but then my impression is that BMW have far more systems..... maybe someone else can comment.
From the above, I would think that any action would have a limited chance of success.....
Cheers
J
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Originally Posted by romansg' post='956773' date='Jul 28 2009, 11:53 AM
My batteryfailed, however, the cause was most likely due to a persistant parasitic drain caused by a failed doorhandle component in the comfort access system. My driving profile was fine and the repair/replacement was performed under warranty. I suppose I'd be pretty upset if I had another occurence in the future, so I'll probably keep track of all "Battery Failure and Excessive Drain" threads.
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My battery lasts no more than 14 days .. I had everything checked and it seems this is normal for E60/61..
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Just came back from a 2 week holiday, picked up the car, no problems at all, car started straight away, no warning or anything.
Did have a crack in the windshield though...
Did have a crack in the windshield though...
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From: San Antonio
Originally Posted by GregBrand' post='950975' date='Jul 22 2009, 09:18 PM
I am curious why a class action suit has not been filed against BMW regarding the ubiquitous dead battery issue? Clearly a design defect- but no suit. Thus, throughout the world BMW owners are just told they they are at fault for not driving the BMW enough- and we do nothing! This could be bigger than Mesophilioma !
The reality of life: batteries do fail--at the most inopportune times.
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From: The UK
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Mercedes use 2 batteries for this very reason.
Hardly rocket science and BMW could have done the same.
Hardly rocket science and BMW could have done the same.
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