2011 23i battery drain

PKW · Post by **PKW** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 11:01 am

Hi Guys
I have just started to have problems with a flat battery. The battery was replaced 2019 with a Bosch AGM which is still under warranty just had the AA out as they fitted the battery and it checks out ok but there is a 1amp drain which indicates something not shutting down properly, anyone had similar?

Ole gits rule · Post by **Ole gits rule** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 11:43 am

Hi PKW, the cars will drain a battery pretty quickly if it is not used enough, most people put the car on a trickle charger to keep the battery topped up.

What is your driving cycle, is it used daily or is it a weekend toy?

Smartbear · Post by **Smartbear** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 11:45 am

PKW wrote: ↑Mon Apr 05, 2021 11:01 am Hi Guys
I have just started to have problems with a flat battery. The battery was replaced 2019 with a Bosch AGM which is still under warranty just had the AA out as they fitted the battery and it checks out ok but there is a 1amp drain which indicates something not shutting down properly, anyone had similar?

A 1 amp drain is far to high, you could pull fuses one by one until the drain falls away-that should then point to a circuit for more investigation.
Rob

PKW · Post by **PKW** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 11:51 am

Thanks for the replies
Yes it’s a weekend car but had a flat battery Saturday charged it then flat again Sunday. 1amp drain is the puzzle could it be that the battery wasn’t fully charged? I have put it back on charge and going to leave until tomorrow to check again.

buzyg · Post by **buzyg** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 1:15 pm

Recently sorted a battery drain issue on my E85. Pulling fuses found it in the end, as smart bear suggested. That was after weeks of the trying random things I thought it might be method failed. Mine turned out to be the solenoid that locks the petrol filler cap. So just be aware, they can be pretty obscure. Time and patience.

ph001 · Post by **ph001** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 2:46 pm

If you have a multimeter to hand the quickest way of doing it is to measure the voltage across the test points on the back of each fuse (choose the millivolt range). The one with the 1A going through it will measure a few millivolts whereas the rest will be very close to zero.

Remember to leave the car for 15mins before measuring.

ph001 · Post by **ph001** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 2:50 pm

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PKW · Post by **PKW** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 4:41 pm

Many thanks I will try that in the morning, the battery is now fully charged and I will leave it on charge tonight. I did think about a battery re set ( disconnect and leave for 10mins reconnect) any issues with do that other than loosing window memory etc?

Pbondar · Post by **Pbondar** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 6:04 pm

PKW wrote: ↑Mon Apr 05, 2021 4:41 pm Many thanks I will try that in the morning, the battery is now fully charged and I will leave it on charge tonight. I did think about a battery re set ( disconnect and leave for 10mins reconnect) any issues with do that other than loosing window memory etc?

On an E89 battery disconnect doesn’t buy you anything..out of interest does your car have factory Bluetooth fitted?

PKW · Post by **PKW** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 6:06 pm

Hi yes it does have factory Bluetooth

Pbondar · Post by **Pbondar** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 6:42 pm

PKW wrote: ↑Mon Apr 05, 2021 6:06 pm Hi yes it does have factory Bluetooth

There was a bug in the Bluetooth where if you did not shutdown the Bluetooth ‘properly’ whatever that means the unit would continue to run in the background searching for a Bluetooth to mate too..

Flattened batteries in no time..

Maybe try disassociating the Bluetooth unit and doing a formal shut down of the car by using the remote key to do a full shutdown?

Updating the Bluetooth to the last revision level fixed that issue

PKW · Post by **PKW** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 7:06 pm

Hi Pbondar,

That sounds a very likely cause, many thanks for your help. I’m not sure how to do a formal shut down of the car by using the remote key to do a full shutdown? Could you just take me through this please. I will contact my local dealer in the morning ref software level.

Smartbear · Post by **Smartbear** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 7:09 pm

PKW wrote: ↑Mon Apr 05, 2021 7:06 pm Hi Pbondar,

That sounds a very likely cause, many thanks for your help. I’m not sure how to do a formal shut down of the car by using the remote key to do a full shutdown? Could you just take me through this please. I will contact my local dealer in the morning ref software level.

I understand locking the car via the remote puts the car “asleep” quicker than just leaving it unlocked, not 100% sure though

Rob

PKW · Post by **PKW** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 8:10 pm

I have just checked the BMW software website against my vin and it says all software up to date, not sure how accurate this is?

Pbondar · Post by **Pbondar** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 8:29 pm

Smartbear wrote: ↑Mon Apr 05, 2021 7:09 pm
PKW wrote: ↑Mon Apr 05, 2021 7:06 pm Hi Pbondar,

That sounds a very likely cause, many thanks for your help. I’m not sure how to do a formal shut down of the car by using the remote key to do a full shutdown? Could you just take me through this please. I will contact my local dealer in the morning ref software level.
I understand locking the car via the remote puts the car “asleep” quicker than just leaving it unlocked, not 100% sure though
Rob

That’s correct ...I would get the Bluetooth to dissociate from all phones to save it retrying

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