Increased battery discharge?

[jamesgarbett]

I get this message sometimes when I start my Z4
Nothing seems to be left switched on (interior lights etc)
Anything obvious to try? Worth putting the battery on trickle?

 

[Zforbes]

I get this message sometimes when I start my Z4
Nothing seems to be left switched on (interior lights etc)
Anything obvious to try? Worth putting the battery on trickle?

How old is the battery, I used to get this before I replaced mine early this year, it was the original battery from 2010

 

[Jollyjoiner]

Yeah looking like new battery could be needed if it's getting on a bit in age. I did mine last year too.

 

[Ole gits rule]

I get this if I leave the car for a few weeks, normally after a 100 miles run its fine.

Now its winter I put a trickle charger on the car at least twice a week for 3 or 4 hours and the problem is gone

 

[Chippie]

I’d be looking at changing the battery if it’s not holding charge properly, it could save you a lot of grief in the future

 

[mcbutler]

I get this message sometimes when I start my Z4
Nothing seems to be left switched on (interior lights etc)
Anything obvious to try? Worth putting the battery on trickle?

Check your glove box light, mine was staying on even when the car was locked, in the dark you will see a faint glimmer from around the edges...

 

[mcbutler]

I get this message sometimes when I start my Z4
Nothing seems to be left switched on (interior lights etc)
Anything obvious to try? Worth putting the battery on trickle?

I dont think an error stating 'increased battery discharge' would be the result of a battery 'losing' charge. It would mean that something is causing the battery to discharge via whateve sensor monitors this - just a thought
Check your glove box light, mine was staying on even when the car was locked, in the dark you will see a faint glimmer from around the edges...

 

[Zforbes]

I get this message sometimes when I start my Z4
Nothing seems to be left switched on (interior lights etc)
Anything obvious to try? Worth putting the battery on trickle?

I dont think an error stating 'increased battery discharge' would be the result of a battery 'losing' charge. It would mean that something is causing the battery to discharge via whateve sensor monitors this - just a thought
Check your glove box light, mine was staying on even when the car was locked, in the dark you will see a faint glimmer from around the edges...

I understand your logic and far too many people try to fix the symptom and don't drill down to find root cause.

In this instance though if it's an older battery and colder weather it is very likely the battery is goosed.

I had exactly the same thing and replacing the battery sorted it.

If the OP wants to check it out first then it's relatively easy but time consuming to check for drainage. Undo the negative battery terminal and make the cercuit with a multi meter and check what effect by removing each fuse one by one to identify where the most drain is occurring. Have a look on YouTube if you don't understand my explanation.

If unsure what battery you need just ask on here, note you don't need an AGM battery unless you have stop start

 

[B21]

Most folks would regard the AGM as the preferred version on E89s (not E85s)

 

[Nanu]

Last year I was getting the same and there is lots of stuff on this very subject already on the forum. Tried checking everything switched off and trickle charging the battery overnight to no avail.

Consensus was battery defunct which in my case was confirmed when I took it to my local Indy for test and ended up buying a new one. No problems since.

As for what type, source your preferred supplier, again loads of help on here (Bought mine from Tayna Batteries, cheap and delivered next day)
Put your reg into their website and it will tell you which one you need.

I got an AGM even though it's not stop start.

 

[Zforbes]

Most folks would regard the AGM as the preferred version on E89s (not E85s)

All recommended battery replacement seem to be AGM but my original lead acid was 10 years old when I replaced it and even when I got the increased drainage warning the OP is getting the car still started immediately on the button. Not saying they ain't better just not necessary IMO due to the double cost. Unless an AGM lasts 20 years that is

Do recommend the car is coded to register a new battery though as that is the likely reason an OEM lead acid lasted 10 years.

 

[B21]

Most folks would regard the AGM as the preferred version on E89s (not E85s)

All recommended battery replacement seem to be AGM but my original lead acid was 10 years old when I replaced it and even when I got the increased drainage warning the OP is getting the car still started immediately on the button. Not saying they ain't better just not necessary IMO due to the double cost. Unless an AGM lasts 20 years that is

Do recommend the car is coded to register a new battery though as that is the likely reason an OEM lead acid lasted 10 years.

AFAIK all UK spec E89s had AGM fitted as OE…certainly all E89s I’ve ever seen did have.

AFAIK you can’t code the E89 to use a non AGM battery which, due to its chemistry, has a different set of thresholds for current / voltage management.

So yes it will work after a fashion but doesn’t support all the onboards electronics correctly.

I’m not having a dig but can’t understand when owning a car like an E89 why you wouldn’t use the correct parts.

 

[Zforbes]

Most folks would regard the AGM as the preferred version on E89s (not E85s)

All recommended battery replacement seem to be AGM but my original lead acid was 10 years old when I replaced it and even when I got the increased drainage warning the OP is getting the car still started immediately on the button. Not saying they ain't better just not necessary IMO due to the double cost. Unless an AGM lasts 20 years that is

Do recommend the car is coded to register a new battery though as that is the likely reason an OEM lead acid lasted 10 years.

AFAIK all UK spec E89s had AGM fitted as OE…certainly all E89s I’ve ever seen did have.

AFAIK you can’t code the E89 to use a non AGM battery which, due to its chemistry, has a different set of thresholds for current / voltage management.

So yes it will work after a fashion but doesn’t support all the onboards electronics correctly.

I’m not having a dig but can’t understand when owning a car like an E89 why you wouldn’t use the correct parts.

No dig taken

My OEM battery was lead acid and that I have no doubt. I still have a picture somewhere as I took a few as you do when you want to renew like for like. AFAIK the only OEM battery fitted as AGM was cars with stop start due to the constant reuse, mine being 2010 didn't have that hence my recommend.

The date stamp on the terminal suggests with the BMW sticker ties in with the manufacture date of the car confirming to me the original equipment.

I therefore replaced like for like with lead acid as 10 years of reliability was good enough reason not to change a proven formula

To my knowledge the car doesn't see anything different between AGM and lead so don't understand why you think it would affect electronics.

I appreciate your comments and thoughts but going off personal opinion and open to further knowledge and experience

 

[Zforbes]

Most folks would regard the AGM as the preferred version on E89s (not E85s)

All recommended battery replacement seem to be AGM but my original lead acid was 10 years old when I replaced it and even when I got the increased drainage warning the OP is getting the car still started immediately on the button. Not saying they ain't better just not necessary IMO due to the double cost. Unless an AGM lasts 20 years that is

Do recommend the car is coded to register a new battery though as that is the likely reason an OEM lead acid lasted 10 years.

AFAIK all UK spec E89s had AGM fitted as OE…certainly all E89s I’ve ever seen did have.

AFAIK you can’t code the E89 to use a non AGM battery which, due to its chemistry, has a different set of thresholds for current / voltage management.

So yes it will work after a fashion but doesn’t support all the onboards electronics correctly.

I’m not having a dig but can’t understand when owning a car like an E89 why you wouldn’t use the correct parts.

OEM lead acid battery

 

[Pondy]

AGM batteries are lead acid. Just a different way the internals are laid out to a 'standard' lead acid, presumably for electrical storage capabilities.

Absorbent Glass Mat lead acid.
GEL batteries are also lead acid.

 

[Zforbes]

AGM batteries are lead acid. Just a different way the internals are laid out to a 'standard' lead acid, presumably for electrical storage capabilities.

Absorbent Glass Mat lead acid.
GEL batteries are also lead acid.

Point is, the OEM battery is not AGM

 

[Pondy]

Point is, the OEM battery is not AGM

From what I can gather, AGM or GEL is just a different way of storing the electricity. It would seem an AGM should be smaller for a given capacity than a 'standard' lead acid and a GEL needs little or no ventilation. So, from what I can make of it, the car shouldn't care one way or the other which type of battery it is as the output and charging characteristics would be the same, as they are all lead acid.

This is just my take on the information I have gleaned.

 

[Zforbes]

Point is, the OEM battery is not AGM

From what I can gather, AGM or GEL is just a different way of storing the electricity. It would seem an AGM should be smaller for a given capacity than a 'standard' lead acid and a GEL needs little or no ventilation. So, from what I can make of it, the car shouldn't care one way or the other which type of battery it is as the output and charging characteristics would be the same, as they are all lead acid.

This is just my take on the information I have gleaned.

Exactly and correct

 

[Zed Baron]

From what I've read all oem bmw black batteries are agm, just like the one originally fitted in my e89

'On to the type of battery which is very simple to determine with factory original BMW batteries, a white battery is a standard lead acid battery, and a black battery indicates an AGM (Boron-Silicate absorbed glass mat).'

 

[Pondy]

FWIW
My E89 (2013) has an AGM battery aswell. No idea whether it's original but it has a BMW sticker on it. It also holds it's charge really well.