New battery, does the car need programming

JCCXCCJ23

MEMBER
2002 BMW 325
2.5L
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
160,000 MILES

Do I have to program my car (XI model) after install a new battery? Or is it necessary?

Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 1:56 PM

3 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,883 POSTS

No, it should be fine is the car having issues since the change? I have seen voltage spikes play havoc on some cars when changing the battery.

Please get back to us.

Cheers, Ken

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Monday, August 6th, 2018 AT 3:16 PM

JCCXCCJ23

MEMBER
6 POSTS

No. It has not had an issue yet but I am waiting for the 120 amp 12 volt alternator to be delivered. And I do believe the final stage resistor or alternator was having a parasitic draw on the battery. If that makes sense for common issues for BMW.

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Monday, August 6th, 2018 AT 7:39 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,883 POSTS

Yep, alternator can go bad draining the battery. Here is a guide to show you what you are in for when changing the alternator out and diagrams to help you see how on your car below:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-alternator

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken

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