Question on Warning Lights
- Thread starter Pom
- Start date
I've had this too when I had a battery replaced - the BMW assist technician said they lit up as when the battery had been started from flat there wasn't enough power for them to operate or test (or something along those lines...). Nothing to worry about, as imolazed says carry on as usual - they should go off next time you start the car when the battery is charged.
Was going to post a new topic about a problem with my car, but stumbled across this old post.
I'm hoping 'the battery' is the issue behind the warning lights I've seen a couple of times too.
Couple of weeks ago on start up, I too had the yellow abs light and traction control light illuminated. I turned the engine off and it didn't happen on re-start.
Last week on start up, the car turned over but took longer to fire than usual. When it did start I had the same lights as above plus the handbrake warning red light with the audible noise (handbrake was off).
I turned the engine off, the car on re-start fired quicker but I had no movement in the rev counter needle or no movement on the fuel guage.
I turned the engine off again this time on re-start same as above but after about 10 seconds the dashboard lights flickered and everything started working correctly with no warning lights.
I'm terrible for thinking the worst, and looking through the problems forum pages I had convinced myself the abs and traction control lights on would possibly be a damaged abs sensor unit at £1800 for the part. (that said 5 months out of warranty I would be pushing BMW for good will on a 07, 20,000 mile car).
Took the car to my local indie for advice and he 1st alerted me to the possible battery issue. When I gave it some thought this month the car has only been on a few 5 minute journeys each day.
Then I stumbled across this post.
So before going to BMW I decided to go and give the car a couple of good runs the last couple of days to see if this helps.
The next few days my schedule is a few 5 minute journeys due to work.
So I'm hoping my warning lights and rev counter/fuel guage issues are all down to the battery being a little flat? If after the next few days the lights continue it will have to be a trip to the stealers to find out if there is any other problems?
Since the long runs the car has started quicker and easier with no warning lights staying illuminated.
Another post I read was on putting the key in the ignition let the car do all it's checks and lights disappear before firing up car, I think I'm too impatient as well I tend to get in and go straight to fire up usually.
Let's hope it was just the battery!
Sorry for the long post!
I'm hoping 'the battery' is the issue behind the warning lights I've seen a couple of times too.
Couple of weeks ago on start up, I too had the yellow abs light and traction control light illuminated. I turned the engine off and it didn't happen on re-start.
Last week on start up, the car turned over but took longer to fire than usual. When it did start I had the same lights as above plus the handbrake warning red light with the audible noise (handbrake was off).
I turned the engine off, the car on re-start fired quicker but I had no movement in the rev counter needle or no movement on the fuel guage.
I turned the engine off again this time on re-start same as above but after about 10 seconds the dashboard lights flickered and everything started working correctly with no warning lights.
I'm terrible for thinking the worst, and looking through the problems forum pages I had convinced myself the abs and traction control lights on would possibly be a damaged abs sensor unit at £1800 for the part. (that said 5 months out of warranty I would be pushing BMW for good will on a 07, 20,000 mile car).
Took the car to my local indie for advice and he 1st alerted me to the possible battery issue. When I gave it some thought this month the car has only been on a few 5 minute journeys each day.
Then I stumbled across this post.
So before going to BMW I decided to go and give the car a couple of good runs the last couple of days to see if this helps.
The next few days my schedule is a few 5 minute journeys due to work.
So I'm hoping my warning lights and rev counter/fuel guage issues are all down to the battery being a little flat? If after the next few days the lights continue it will have to be a trip to the stealers to find out if there is any other problems?
Since the long runs the car has started quicker and easier with no warning lights staying illuminated.
Another post I read was on putting the key in the ignition let the car do all it's checks and lights disappear before firing up car, I think I'm too impatient as well I tend to get in and go straight to fire up usually.
Let's hope it was just the battery!
Sorry for the long post!
shiney, I had a similar fault two years ago, all the ABS, traction, Brake etc warning lights on and no speedo. BMW thought it was a faulty sensor on the rear passenger side wheel but eventually turned out to be the electric box behind the brake pipe housing (is that the ABS sensor?) Apparently it stopped recognising all the other systems it has to talk to. I know it was an expensive part replaced under warranty. Fingers crossed it's not that 
Thanks for the reply. I believe the part you had replaced was the abs sensor unit.
I forgot to say when the car struggled to start last week...the clock and OBC reset as well as the abs/traction control lights illuminating.
Also, the lights have only illuminated on start up from cold. Never during a journey.
The struggle to start sounds to me like a battery issue. Surely I can't be that unlucky that the battery is failing at the same time as the expensive abs sensor unit is failing?
As I said b4 let's hope my couple of good runs have sorted the battery out. And the lights are related to that issue. Like the OP
I forgot to say when the car struggled to start last week...the clock and OBC reset as well as the abs/traction control lights illuminating.
Also, the lights have only illuminated on start up from cold. Never during a journey.
The struggle to start sounds to me like a battery issue. Surely I can't be that unlucky that the battery is failing at the same time as the expensive abs sensor unit is failing?
As I said b4 let's hope my couple of good runs have sorted the battery out. And the lights are related to that issue. Like the OP
Update.....
So have taken the car on a few long runs recently. Next day car starts easier but not as quick as I would still expect.
Got in the car this morning to go on my 5 min journey to work having not used the car yesterday.
Back to square 1, car turns over for longer than expected before firing up. (no warning lights though).
Put a voltmeter over the terminals this evening....showing 11 volts (I believe should be 12.6). Fired up the engine put on the radio, A/C and full beam and the reading was 14.5 volts....so all good on the alternator front.
New battery ordered!
So have taken the car on a few long runs recently. Next day car starts easier but not as quick as I would still expect.
Got in the car this morning to go on my 5 min journey to work having not used the car yesterday.
Back to square 1, car turns over for longer than expected before firing up. (no warning lights though).
Put a voltmeter over the terminals this evening....showing 11 volts (I believe should be 12.6). Fired up the engine put on the radio, A/C and full beam and the reading was 14.5 volts....so all good on the alternator front.
New battery ordered!
Hi,
I had this exact same problem last winter with the battery. BMW kept it overnight and charged the battery which resolved the issue. For some reason the car couldn't charge the battery past a certian level so the battery was always low. They tested the battery after the overnight charge and there were no faults. Its been fine ever since. Even though the car was under AUC warranty I got charged £120 because they found no fault!!!
I had this exact same problem last winter with the battery. BMW kept it overnight and charged the battery which resolved the issue. For some reason the car couldn't charge the battery past a certian level so the battery was always low. They tested the battery after the overnight charge and there were no faults. Its been fine ever since. Even though the car was under AUC warranty I got charged £120 because they found no fault!!!
Final Update!!
Sourced a battery from a work colleague with contacts £69 (same specs as OEM), but much cheaper than stealers & halfrauds.
He gave me the battery at change of my shift on Saturday evening (i was finishing days, he was starting nights). But unfortunately I got a lift into work on Saturday (due to a works nite out).
As it turned out, absolute result the battery was at work!
I drove into work for my night shift last night (sunday), car was a bit slow to start......but did. This morning when i finished my shift, went to move the car closer to the building to change the battery over.........and it was dead as a dodo.
New battery installed, car starts almost as soon as you turn the key...........AND NO WARNING LIGHTS!!!
Sourced a battery from a work colleague with contacts £69 (same specs as OEM), but much cheaper than stealers & halfrauds.
He gave me the battery at change of my shift on Saturday evening (i was finishing days, he was starting nights). But unfortunately I got a lift into work on Saturday (due to a works nite out).
As it turned out, absolute result the battery was at work!
I drove into work for my night shift last night (sunday), car was a bit slow to start......but did. This morning when i finished my shift, went to move the car closer to the building to change the battery over.........and it was dead as a dodo.
New battery installed, car starts almost as soon as you turn the key...........AND NO WARNING LIGHTS!!!