BMW 5 Series E60 - High Battery Drain on Start UP

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Sun 8 Jul 2012 17:48
BMW 5 Series E60 - High Battery Drain on Start UP - WaminAscot
Get a "High Battery Drain" on start upon the morning and have lost Bluetooth ability in the car. After running for a couple of minutes the sign goes away and nothing appears in the Fault Finder. Just spent £200 having the car "diagnosed" at a garage to be told they can't find anything wrong. They changed the battery for a new one but the following morning the High Battery Drain re-appeared. I'm at. Loss as to what to do and would really appreciate any guidance and comments from guys who have had a similar experience.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 8 Jul 2012 19:54
BMW 5 Series E60 - High Battery Drain on Start UP - Peter.N.
Have you fitted any aftermarket electroninc equipment?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 8 Jul 2012 20:02
BMW 5 Series E60 - High Battery Drain on Start UP - elekie&a/c doctor

Firstly ,It is very important that the correct battery has been fitted?Also has the power management system been re-programmed for new battery installation?hth

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 9 Jul 2012 11:06
BMW 5 Series E60 - High Battery Drain on Start UP - Peter.N.

That complicated is it! Bring back the Morris Minor.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 10 Jul 2012 10:22
BMW 5 Series E60 - High Battery Drain on Start UP - WaminAscot
New battery was supplied, fitted and 'paired' with the car in February 2010.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 10 Jul 2012 10:26
BMW 5 Series E60 - High Battery Drain on Start UP - WaminAscot
I did have the garage who diagnosed my car last week, remove the battery they supplied as it did not solve the problem. I had them put the old battery back on the car. It still operates fine but I get the same High Battery Drain in the morning on start up.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 10 Jul 2012 10:21
BMW 5 Series E60 - High Battery Drain on Start UP - WaminAscot
Peter,
Nothing has been fitted to the car since purchased new in 2005.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 10 Jul 2012 12:03
BMW 5 Series E60 - High Battery Drain on Start UP - madf

I apologise : I read this thread and passed it by: but recall it MAY be due to the Heater fan Resistor (Final Stage Unit or "Hedgehog") failing.Check current drain when ignition is switched off. More than 40mA is a problem.

You can test what causes it by isolating various componenets by fuse removal then switching on ignition. Check the built in SatNav fuse 44 in the boot I think.

Any semi competent auto electrician should be able to resolve this by a simple process of elimimation: any semi competent logical thinking person who can pull fuses can do it.

Car Mechanics Dec 2010 covered it. Back Issues are available I think.

The garage the OP went to are incompetent.

Edited by madf on 10/07/2012 at 12:06

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 10 Jul 2012 12:46
BMW 5 Series E60 - High Battery Drain on Start UP - Peter D

First thing to check is if the alternator output rises to 14 volts or so immediately after starting. Then you will need some kit and a high current amp meter so you can see what current is being demanded from the battery immediately after starting. Clearly the meter will have to be bypassed to allow the engine to start.

Assuming this is a manual car it would also be interesting to bump start the car and see if it still reports the message.

Regards Peter

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 10 Jul 2012 13:52
BMW 5 Series E60 - High Battery Drain on Start UP - skidpan
Had
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 10 Jul 2012 13:52
BMW 5 Series E60 - High Battery Drain on Start UP - skidpan
Had

Internet Exploder strikes again.

Had to have a new battery on our 1 series, luckily under warranty. BMW''s must have the correct batter fitted and it has to be programmed into the ECU. If you don't the car does not know its a battery thus still shows a fault.

DO NOT BUMP START A MODERN CAR. It can cause sensors in the exhaust to fail due to unburnt fuel from the engine. If the battery is flat jump start the car.

Edited by skidpan on 10/07/2012 at 13:55

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

From which small car to buy at which price point to the best UK-built cars, our Top 10s have the lot. Click now for your shortlist.

Unsure of what to buy? Our Top 10s are here to help you....