Battery Replacement

Waoudi · 01-20-2018, 06:12 PM

Hi,
My Z4 07 3.0si needs a new battery so I picked one up from the dealer today. I searched everywhere on here and on Bimmerfest for a DIY guide to make sure I don't make any mistakes but haven't had any luck.

If anyone can link it that will be great. Dealer parts said I don't need to register the batter or anything. Can anyone confirm?

Do I just remove the negative then positive then install new one - positive then negative and that's it or is there something extra I need to do.

I was going to wait until the spring but it was 65 today and it will be just as nice tomorrow!

Thanks in advance.

3798j · 01-20-2018, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duped

Hi,
Dealer parts said I don't need to register the batter or anything. Can anyone confirm?

Yep...your dealer parts gave correct info

Do I just remove the negative then positive then install new one - positive then negative and that's it or is there something extra I need to do.

Yep...that's the correct sequence. The battery hold down bracket needs to be removed (then re-installed on the new battery)...there's also a vent tube that you'll re-attach.

The only additional step, my windows needed to be reset. Here's how it's done: http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62834

Waoudi · 01-21-2018, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3798j

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duped

Hi,
Dealer parts said I don't need to register the batter or anything. Can anyone confirm?

Yep...your dealer parts gave correct info

Do I just remove the negative then positive then install new one - positive then negative and that's it or is there something extra I need to do.

Yep...that's the correct sequence. The battery hold down bracket needs to be removed (then re-installed on the new battery)...there's also a vent tube that you'll re-attach.

The only additional step, my windows needed to be reset. Here's how it's done: http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62834

There was a small cable attached to the battery that the new battery (bmw stock) doesn't have a hole for.
It's a thin cable that attaches to the car.

3798j · 01-21-2018, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duped

There was a small cable attached to the battery that the new battery (bmw stock) doesn't have a hole for.
It's a thin cable that attaches to the car.

Not certain, but I think you might be talking about the vent tube. In this photo I'm pointing to the vent tube. Not familiar with batteries sold by BMW parts departments, but some AGM batteries have no provision (or need) for a vent tube connection.

Waoudi · 01-21-2018, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3798j

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duped

There was a small cable attached to the battery that the new battery (bmw stock) doesn't have a hole for.
It's a thin cable that attaches to the car.

Not certain, but I think you might be talking about the vent tube. In this photo I'm pointing to the vent tube. Not familiar with batteries sold by BMW parts departments, but some AGM batteries have no provision (or need) for a vent tube connection.

Yes that's what I'm talking about. I guess I will call the dealer tomorrow and confirm that's the case.

Thanks!

chickdr · 01-25-2018, 01:45 PM

There will be a hole on your new battery which this tube will plug into. The connector from the old one should work with the new battery.

Waoudi · 01-25-2018, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chickdr

There will be a hole on your new battery which this tube will plug into. The connector from the old one should work with the new battery.

Didn't see a hole hence my original post

PLCZ4MC · 01-25-2018, 06:50 PM

I am going to have to do this soon to my M Coupe,
Hopefully is not complicated for the ///M

chickdr · 01-26-2018, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duped

Didn't see a hole hence my original post

If not then I think you got the wrong battery. All of them should have a vent hole since the battery is in the trunk. Is the new battery identical in size/shape/configuration to the old one?

XMetal · 01-27-2018, 12:25 PM

All of the batteries that I had used have a vent hole on either sides, including 3 different AGMs. Some may have a plug on them that you will need to remove in order to install the vent tube.

Waoudi · 01-27-2018, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XMetal

All of the batteries that I had used have a vent hole on either sides, including 3 different AGMs. Some may have a plug on them that you will need to remove in order to install the vent tube.

I'll have to look again.

What happens if I don't have the vent plugged in? I drove it a few times.

Waoudi · 01-27-2018, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duped

Quote:

Originally Posted by XMetal

All of the batteries that I had used have a vent hole on either sides, including 3 different AGMs. Some may have a plug on them that you will need to remove in order to install the vent tube.

I'll have to look again.

What happens if I don't have the vent plugged in? I drove it a few times.

Found the hole and just ordered a new vent hose from Amazon. I'm guessing if I don't drive the car until the vent is replaced there won't be enough gas or do I need to leave the trunk open?

Efthreeoh · 01-28-2018, 06:13 AM

Let me ask a few questions. The new battery from BMW should have come with a little bag with a new elbow vent connector and a small plug; did your battery come with the bag of parts? There should be two holes along the edge of the top of the battery case one on each of the short sides. Depending upon orientation of the battery in the car, the vent uses one hole and the other hole is plugged. It's possible that the service/parts department opened the parts bag and plugged the hole in one of the sides already. Just make sure the other vent hole is plugged. Hopefully you bought OE BMW vent tube parts??? And did you orient the partition wall correctly? CarMax even screwed that up on my Z4

If you had to buy new vent line parts, then that tells me the original battery was replaced and whomever did the replacement didn't understand what the vent was for and discarded it, so you've been running "ventless" for however long you've owned the Z4 (and haven't died yet

). This was the situation I had when I bought my Z4 Coupe used from CarMax, the battery had been replaced with the wrong case size - so it just slid around

and there was no vent line connected.

Batteries are another case for "only trained BMW techs should ever touch a BMW"; well, or a seasoned long-time BMW owner. Something as simple as a battery install will get screwed up. No need to register the battery in the E85/86 Z4.

Waoudi · 01-28-2018, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Let me ask a few questions. The new battery from BMW should have come with a little bag with a new elbow vent connector and a small plug; did your battery come with the bag of parts? There should be two holes along the edge of the top of the battery case one on each of the short sides. Depending upon orientation of the battery in the car, the vent uses one hole and the other hole is plugged. It's possible that the service/parts department opened the parts bag and plugged the hole in one of the sides already. Just make sure the other vent hole is plugged. Hopefully you bought OE BMW vent tube parts??? And did you orient the partition wall correctly? CarMax even screwed that up on my Z4

If you had to buy new vent line parts, then that tells me the original battery was replaced and whomever did the replacement didn't understand what the vent was for and discarded it, so you've been running "ventless" for however long you've owned the Z4 (and haven't died yet

). This was the situation I had when I bought my Z4 Coupe used from CarMax, the battery had been replaced with the wrong case size - so it just slid around

and there was no vent line connected.

Batteries are another case for "only trained BMW techs should ever touch a BMW"; well, or a seasoned long-time BMW owner. Something as simple as a battery install will get screwed up. No need to register the battery in the E85/86 Z4.

The old battery had a vent installed but when I installed the new one it wasn't easy to see it so i assumed it didn't have one. I ordered a dorman battery vent from amazon which looked like similar to the one installed and it was easier than driving to the dealer across town.

How safe is it to drive ventless?

Efthreeoh · 01-28-2018, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duped

The old battery had a vent installed but when I installed the new one it wasn't easy to see it so i assumed it didn't have one. I ordered a dorman battery vent from amazon which looked like similar to the one installed and it was easier than driving to the dealer across town.

How safe is it to drive ventless?

Very safe.

chickdr · 01-28-2018, 09:13 PM

When you pulled the old battery the elbow should have come loose from the side of the battery and stayed with the rubber tubing. All you do is plug the elbow into the side of the new battery. Shouldn't need to order a new one.

HarryFD · 02-24-2018, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duped

The old battery had a vent installed but when I installed the new one it wasn't easy to see it so i assumed it didn't have one. I ordered a dorman battery vent from amazon which looked like similar to the one installed and it was easier than driving to the dealer across town.

How safe is it to drive ventless?

The vent is to prevent the accumulation of corrosive fumes in your trunk which will damage the electronics and metal. My 911 has a similar setup and if you do not vent a conventional battery, the metal slowly gets eaten away.

Efthreeoh · 02-25-2018, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryFD

The vent is to prevent the accumulation of corrosive fumes in your trunk which will damage the electronics and metal. My 911 has a similar setup and if you do not vent a conventional battery, the metal slowly gets eaten away.

All car cabins are ventilated. The vent tubing is set up to prevent battery acid from spilling into the battery compartment if the battery over charges.

01-20-2018, 06:12 PM	#1
Waoudi Private First Class 23 Rep 193 Posts Drives: '17 X5 MSport, '16 M3 ZCP Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (0)	Battery Replacement Hi, My Z4 07 3.0si needs a new battery so I picked one up from the dealer today. I searched everywhere on here and on Bimmerfest for a DIY guide to make sure I don't make any mistakes but haven't had any luck. If anyone can link it that will be great. Dealer parts said I don't need to register the batter or anything. Can anyone confirm? Do I just remove the negative then positive then install new one - positive then negative and that's it or is there something extra I need to do. I was going to wait until the spring but it was 65 today and it will be just as nice tomorrow! Thanks in advance.
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01-25-2018, 01:45 PM	#6
chickdr Lieutenant Colonel 140 Rep 1,990 Posts Drives: 2006 M Roadster Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buford, GA iTrader: (0)	There will be a hole on your new battery which this tube will plug into. The connector from the old one should work with the new battery.
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01-25-2018, 06:50 PM	#8
PLCZ4MC Proud E86M Owner 79 Rep 650 Posts Drives: 07 Z4M Coupe Monaco Blue Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: South California iTrader: (4)	I am going to have to do this soon to my M Coupe, Hopefully is not complicated for the ///M __________________ 2007 Z4///M Coupe Monaco Blue (Weekend + Track) 2018 S1000RR San Marino Blue Wrap (Weekend + Commute) 2016 Honda CR-Z EX Jet Black (Daily Commute) 2008 Kawasaki ZX6R Plasma Blue (SOLD) 2008 Z4///M Roadster Space Gray (SOLD)
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01-27-2018, 12:25 PM	#10
XMetal Colonel 1131 Rep 2,866 Posts Drives: Anything Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Z4M Coupe [10.00] 2018 Audi S3 [0.00] 2004 X5 [8.50]	All of the batteries that I had used have a vent hole on either sides, including 3 different AGMs. Some may have a plug on them that you will need to remove in order to install the vent tube.
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01-28-2018, 06:13 AM	#13
Efthreeoh General 17276 Rep 18,720 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Let me ask a few questions. The new battery from BMW should have come with a little bag with a new elbow vent connector and a small plug; did your battery come with the bag of parts? There should be two holes along the edge of the top of the battery case one on each of the short sides. Depending upon orientation of the battery in the car, the vent uses one hole and the other hole is plugged. It's possible that the service/parts department opened the parts bag and plugged the hole in one of the sides already. Just make sure the other vent hole is plugged. Hopefully you bought OE BMW vent tube parts??? And did you orient the partition wall correctly? CarMax even screwed that up on my Z4 If you had to buy new vent line parts, then that tells me the original battery was replaced and whomever did the replacement didn't understand what the vent was for and discarded it, so you've been running "ventless" for however long you've owned the Z4 (and haven't died yet ). This was the situation I had when I bought my Z4 Coupe used from CarMax, the battery had been replaced with the wrong case size - so it just slid around and there was no vent line connected. Batteries are another case for "only trained BMW techs should ever touch a BMW"; well, or a seasoned long-time BMW owner. Something as simple as a battery install will get screwed up. No need to register the battery in the E85/86 Z4. __________________ A manual transmission can be set to "comfort", "sport", and "track" modes simply by the technique and speed at which you shift it; it doesn't need "modes", modes are for manumatics that try to behave like a real 3-pedal manual transmission. If you can money-shift it, it's a manual transmission. "Yeah, but NO ONE puts an automatic trans shift knob on a manual transmission."
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01-28-2018, 09:13 PM	#16
chickdr Lieutenant Colonel 140 Rep 1,990 Posts Drives: 2006 M Roadster Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buford, GA iTrader: (0)	When you pulled the old battery the elbow should have come loose from the side of the battery and stayed with the rubber tubing. All you do is plug the elbow into the side of the new battery. Shouldn't need to order a new one.
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