Possible New DIY Thread: Battery Change

[Incompatible]

For those of you who have the knowledge/experience with this, a simple DIY or FAQ on battery changes and some of the resulting complications would be helpful. I suggest this after reading on the various forums about some of the problems that can occur with electrical power loss (dead battery/battery change), such as the electronics going into "transport mode", reset of the radio code...... With the electronics in our cars, it's not as simple as it was in the "old days". TIA

[Hawkeye]

Good you brought this up, I was wondering the same thing.

I was told by my dealer tech that BMW computers need to be "assigned" to the battery you are using specifically. If you just replace a battery it can screw up your system somehow.

He said that if you change your battery you need to take it in so they can do something or another... which seems oddly complicated to me for a battery swap!

[wildag]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

Good you brought this up, I was wondering the same thing.

I was told by my dealer tech that BMW computers need to be "assigned" to the battery you are using specifically. If you just replace a battery it can screw up your system somehow.

He said that if you change your battery you need to take it in so they can do something or another... which seems oddly complicated to me for a battery swap!

Total BS.

I'd have backhanded that guy as soon as he finished his schpeal. Because he's probably suckering in old ladies for a couple of hundred bucks with that speech.

[MinneapolisJeff]

Originally Posted by wildag

Total BS.

I'd have backhanded that guy as soon as he finished his schpeal. Because he's probably suckering in old ladies for a couple of hundred bucks with that speech.

+1

My battery died during winter storage. I replaced it (with a non-BMW brand mind you) and vehicle has being running just fine. Only drawback is the PCM needs to relearn all driving data- wasn't a problem for me as I had a 60 mile drive from my storage spot

[Flying Scotsman]

+1

Had to read that twice, what a load of pish. Only something or other they will do is lighten your wallet with a smile. Just sales crap.

[inTgr8r]

lol... that's classic.

Was wondering about the radio myself.
With battery change over is there a security code required for the radio?

[wildag]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

lol... that's classic.

Was wondering about the radio myself.
With battery change over is there a security code required for the radio?

Not for the Nav based systems.

And I'm pretty sure not for the non-Nav either.

[pvr]

You can take any Z4 radio and place in any Z4 as the ibus does the talking and no code is required, ever. With a number of satnav retrofits I have had radios from the US and Europe and all worked fine without coding requirements.

Battery out will only reset the OBC functions and the clock, nothing else.

[inTgr8r]

^ thanks
I appreciate the info.

[wasupdu]

This gets discussed all the time over on the 5 series forums. The overall consensus is that this ISN'T total BS (with the 5er at least). Any battery with comparable specs to the OEM version will work just fine, but unless the dealer programs the car to accept the battery then the car will overcharge the battery resulting in shorter life expectancy.

Is it the truth? Who knows, but that seems to be commonly believed at this point. With that being said, I changed the battery out on my 5er with a DieHard European battery from Sears and DID NOT take it to the dealer for coding. No problems so far.

This is what BMW Wiring Diagram Says about the issue:
http://forums.5series.net/topic/9831...st__p__1169846


Registering the battery replacement


Why register the battery replacement?

After fitting a new battery, the service function 'Register battery replacement' should be run. Registration of the battery replacement is necessary to notify the power management (software in the engine electronics and intelligent battery sensor) that a new battery has been fitted in the vehicle.
Without registration of the battery replacement, the power management does not run properly and this can lead to function limitations, for example reduction or deactivation of individual consumer units.

Register battery replacement

This function informs the power management in the DME/DDE of a battery replacement. The following operations are performed:

* The current kilometre reading is stored for the battery replacement.
* The stored measured values (battery charge statuses, current, voltage, temperature, etc.) are deleted.
* The power management is initialised.

Replacing the battery: other battery capacity or AGM battery

As the battery depends on the engine ands options fitted, the following information is coded in the CAS:

* Battery capacity (for example 90 Ah)
* Battery type: AGM battery or lead-acid battery.

In the case of battery replacement, in general the battery capacity used as series standard may be used.
On installation of a battery with higher or lower capacity or installation of an AGM battery, Progman must be used to recode the CAS:

* With Progman, run the retrofit ”Battery” (select battery capacity of the fitted battery).
* Register additional battery replacements with this service function.

[MinneapolisJeff]

so how much does a typical dealer charge for "battery registration" ?

[wasupdu]

Originally Posted by jman1975

so how much does a typical dealer charge for "battery registration" ?

I've heard anywhere from a 'complementary service' to an hour of labor (about $160).

[RBull]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

lol... that's classic.

Was wondering about the radio myself.
With battery change over is there a security code required for the radio?

No. No issue here.

[Hawkeye]

I was gonna say... he knows I am a car nut and on a few websites so I see no need for him to lie to me. I get all of my work done through him!

He also said it would be complimentary

Nice to know that you don't need to... although I would probably err on the side of caution myself.

Thanks wasupdu!

[CFoote]

I can't believe I'm reading this....come on, now we have to go to the dealer to get the cars modules registered to a new battery?

*sigh*

There's simply no point in owning these cars out of a warranty....its just too expensive.

Chris

[Chris04Z4]

i just went to Auto Zone... bought a cheap replacement last year for like $60-$80 (cant remember the price) and car still cranks up with ease... no electronic problems or anything. In fact i have had both pos and neg terminals off the battery several times while working on the car and no issues at all afterwards.

[MinneapolisJeff]

Originally Posted by Chris04Z4

i just went to Auto Zone... bought a cheap replacement last year for like $60-$80 (cant remember the price) and car still cranks up with ease... no electronic problems or anything. In fact i have had both pos and neg terminals off the battery several times while working on the car and no issues at all afterwards.

Yup, I think I'll take my chances with my O'Reilly battery rather than spend $160 for "registration"

[BU Z4]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye & edited by me

He said that if you change your battery you need to take it in so they can charge you the difference $ between aftermaeket and BMW OEM battery

[Hawkeye]

^ No, I never said that. Not all dealers are stealers. My dealer said it would be free.

[mousitch]

I believe you will have to reint the windows after a battery install. The one touch and finger safety deal will not work till you do. It's in the manual..

Do both windows.
1.lower window all the way. tap window button 4 times.
2 close window holding button for 2 seconds after close
3. repeat
Do both windows this way. Bingo

[inTgr8r]

^you forgot "pat your head & rub your tummy" at the same time.

[mousitch]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

^you forgot "pat your head & rub your tummy" at the same time.

Yes, Don't forget to do that too for each window. Repeat..