Battery drain

Tiny
NOBOGIES
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 BMW X3
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 50,000 MILES
One day the car would not start. When the ignition was turned on nothing happened. No dash lights, nothing. I though it might be the battery so I replaced and the started and everything worked. The next day the battery
was completely drained. I brought back the battery and they replaced it and this time they checked it and said it was good. Two days later it was completely drained. I took it to BMW and they checked the electrical system and said nothing was draining power, the fuses were OK and the recharging system was fine. The did say the would have used a different battery and wanted me to try that. If you drive the car everyday it's fine but after two days of sitting
it is drained again.
Sunday, February 7th, 2010 AT 12:16 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Hi nobogies, Welcome to 2carpros and TY for the donation

There's something draining the battery could be a short circuit or a light left on/glove box/trunk?????

Do battery drain test below:


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_parastic_draw_1_188.jpg

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Sunday, February 7th, 2010 AT 3:09 PM
Tiny
NOBOGIES
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Sorry. This was done at BMW as stated in my statement.
Already checked the lights.
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Sunday, February 7th, 2010 AT 3:13 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Something is still draining the battery or could be a problem with the alternator not charging and you running off battery voltage only-
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Sunday, February 7th, 2010 AT 3:21 PM
Tiny
NOBOGIES
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  • 4 POSTS
Charging system was checked as well as power drainage
and fuses.
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Sunday, February 7th, 2010 AT 3:24 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
One day the car would not start. When the ignition was turned on nothing happened. No dash lights, nothing.

Could be an intermittent problem with the following components, starter, starter relay, transmission range switch and ignition switch-If all these checked out BMW is not doing their job accordingly

There's a drain in the electrical system that's eating up the battery overnite-bring it back
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Sunday, February 7th, 2010 AT 3:30 PM
Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,601 POSTS
Any action on this issue?
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Sunday, February 7th, 2010 AT 11:50 PM
Tiny
NOBOGIES
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Not happy with this website. Everything told to me I already knew. Final response " take it back to dealer ".
I will be requesting a refund.

John
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Monday, February 8th, 2010 AT 12:19 PM
Tiny
THIS IS MIKE
  • MECHANIC
  • 686 POSTS
We will be glad to refund your donation. Send your contact information to:

mike@2carpros. Com
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Monday, February 8th, 2010 AT 5:21 PM
Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,601 POSTS
If you have a battery going dead in two days, there must be something drawing a bunch of power and to find it, I recommend starting with a fully charged battery, and that the charging system is functional. Close all the doors and windows and let it sit for at least 16 minutes. The light in the shifter display is an indicator of the bus systems' activity, when it goes out, the car should be "asleep" and current consumption must be below 50 milliamps. Watch for the light to be out, if it not going out, then the car is not going to sleep and the battery will be drained. This could be due to a failed or failing general module, an aftermarket sound system not installed or recommended by BMW, or a final stage for the auxiliary fan/blower fan. If you get past that test, then the key off draw amperage test is next. Install a digital multi meter set to measure current on at least a 10 amp scale and when the car sleeps the consumption should go down to <50ma. If it does not then pull the fuses one at a time to find the one that is pulling power. This diagnosis takes time and diligence and patience, which is a rare at the dealership level since the techs are flat rate, nobody likes to work for "free", not even me. If you find the problem, please share it with us so we can spread the word.
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Saturday, February 20th, 2010 AT 9:33 AM
Tiny
CRUCIALCOLLARS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 BMW X3
  • 2.5L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 30 MILES
Ive traced an electrical fault to my gprs unit draining my battery. Just wanted to know what options I have?

Im thinking I could replace the unit but also my thoughts are that it could be a programming or software issue? Anyone heard of this?
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Tuesday, March 14th, 2017 AT 4:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,895 POSTS
Yep that is for the computer bus network, I would try checking the seat switches to see if one is stuck on, or if any of the lights such as the dome, glove box or trunk are staying on. Please let me know so we can help others.
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Tuesday, March 14th, 2017 AT 4:33 PM (Merged)

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