Ctek direct connection

Scarcey · Post by **Scarcey** » Sat Mar 26, 2022 2:30 pm

Hi all

Happy springtime and the return of warmer weather.

I’m trying to fix up a ctek mx5 to my Z4m with the direct connection eyelets. The ctek doesn’t want to register their presence though. I’ve charged other batteries I own using the charger and the normal clips; I just can’t get it to charge with the eyelet charger.

Any suggestions. I’ve made sure to tighten the eyelet last to the terminals really well.

Thanks in advance.

DMike · Post by **DMike** » Sat Mar 26, 2022 4:37 pm

It’s just a simple cable, but maybe worth checking the pins and continuity with a volt meter still?

Ewazix · Post by **Ewazix** » Sat Mar 26, 2022 7:46 pm

The connection plugs can be a bit delicate and easy to disconnect internally, although still plugged together.

Also, does the Ctek work via the croc' clips on the same terminal posts instead of the bolt-on leads?

pvr · Post by **pvr** » Sat Mar 26, 2022 9:20 pm

Should really charge via the charge points though rather than the battery itself. The charge points provides voltage protection to the cars electronics

Argenta · Post by **Argenta** » Mon Mar 28, 2022 9:38 am

Weird, are u sure the battery is ok and the terminals are clean and tightened?
My CTEK works a treat the same way, I have that orange plug sticking out by the battery box.

Ewazix · Post by **Ewazix** » Mon Mar 28, 2022 1:48 pm

pvr wrote: ↑Sat Mar 26, 2022 9:20 pm Should really charge via the charge points though rather than the battery itself. The charge points provides voltage protection to the cars electronics

Definitely essential to connect via the points under the bonnet with a traditional trickle charger or boost/jump starting that can push over 400 amps and knock down a horse! But Ctek smart maintainers deliver a max of only 5 amps (hence the skinny leads). ctek make the BMW battery maintainer that comes with direct leads so are perfectly safe to connect a ctek directly to the battery.

Rickg3 · Post by **Rickg3** » Sat Apr 02, 2022 4:04 pm

Would someone post a photo of the connection points under the bonnet please for the CTEK charger?

grannyknot · Post by **grannyknot** » Sat Apr 02, 2022 9:53 pm

Under the hood, against the firewall and just off center. The ground is near one of the shock towers but there is a convenient ground that is holding the Positive charge point to the firewall and works perfectly for permanent charging wires.

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DMike · Post by **DMike** » Sun Apr 03, 2022 4:43 pm

Ewazix wrote: ↑Mon Mar 28, 2022 1:48 pm
pvr wrote: ↑Sat Mar 26, 2022 9:20 pm Should really charge via the charge points though rather than the battery itself. The charge points provides voltage protection to the cars electronics
Definitely essential to connect via the points under the bonnet with a traditional trickle charger or boost/jump starting that can push over 400 amps and knock down a horse! But Ctek smart maintainers deliver a max of only 5 amps (hence the skinny leads). ctek make the BMW battery maintainer that comes with direct leads so are perfectly safe to connect a ctek directly to the battery.

In addition, on E85s the jump start point (G6430 on WDS) is merely an extension of the positive battery terminal (X819) and looking at the diagrams, they are equivalent. It’s another story for the models with IBS, where TIS recommends using the jump start points for trickle charging.

Rickg3 · Post by **Rickg3** » Thu Apr 07, 2022 12:05 pm

Thanks for the photo Grannyknot. The positive post on my car has a large red plastic cover so easy to identify and then connect onto one of the studs on the top of the shock tower.

pvr · Post by **pvr** » Thu Apr 07, 2022 12:18 pm

DMike wrote: ↑Sun Apr 03, 2022 4:43 pm
Ewazix wrote: ↑Mon Mar 28, 2022 1:48 pm
pvr wrote: ↑Sat Mar 26, 2022 9:20 pm Should really charge via the charge points though rather than the battery itself. The charge points provides voltage protection to the cars electronics
Definitely essential to connect via the points under the bonnet with a traditional trickle charger or boost/jump starting that can push over 400 amps and knock down a horse! But Ctek smart maintainers deliver a max of only 5 amps (hence the skinny leads). ctek make the BMW battery maintainer that comes with direct leads so are perfectly safe to connect a ctek directly to the battery.
In addition, on E85s the jump start point (G6430 on WDS) is merely an extension of the positive battery terminal (X819) and looking at the diagrams, they are equivalent. It’s another story for the models with IBS, where TIS recommends using the jump start points for trickle charging.

Didn't know that - seems to be an exception then as I always thought that all relative newer BMWs had the protection circuit on those points.

DMike · Post by **DMike** » Thu Apr 07, 2022 8:37 pm

pvr wrote: ↑Thu Apr 07, 2022 12:18 pm
DMike wrote: ↑Sun Apr 03, 2022 4:43 pm
Ewazix wrote: ↑Mon Mar 28, 2022 1:48 pm

Definitely essential to connect via the points under the bonnet with a traditional trickle charger or boost/jump starting that can push over 400 amps and knock down a horse! But Ctek smart maintainers deliver a max of only 5 amps (hence the skinny leads). ctek make the BMW battery maintainer that comes with direct leads so are perfectly safe to connect a ctek directly to the battery.
In addition, on E85s the jump start point (G6430 on WDS) is merely an extension of the positive battery terminal (X819) and looking at the diagrams, they are equivalent. It’s another story for the models with IBS, where TIS recommends using the jump start points for trickle charging.
Didn't know that - seems to be an exception then as I always thought that all relative newer BMWs had the protection circuit on those points.

Me neither until browsing the wds. Here’s that part of the diagram, not too many components involved.

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