Battery Drain Issues

Dynamics99 · 10-14-2020, 01:48 PM

Hi,

Went to start my '04 Z4 3.0i 6M and the car would not crank. Had the starter motor replaced 2-3 months ago. It's been 3 days since I drove the car. Tried to swap out the ignition switch and no luck. The radio would not come on but the AC would work. Checked the voltage on the battery and it read around 8.3 Volts. Put the battery on a Noco Genius charger. I do have a dash cam hooked up to the fuse box but it has a parking feature that only runs on the dashcam's battery once the ignition is turned off. In addition to that I have grom bluetooth adapter. Every time I cold start the car it dies but starts fine the second time. If I give a little gas on the first cold run the car bogs or seems to misfire for a couple seconds and which I got codes on my reader for on all 6 cylinders. Where should I start diagnosing?

rsutoratosu · 10-14-2020, 02:35 PM

I would check the voltage while the car is running, I believe while running, it has to be above 13.7V. If not, alternator issue I believe

Does your dash cam have the low voltage stop thingy.. I only have a regular one that comes on when the car is running, fear unknown drainging.

FrenchieTacoZ4 · 10-25-2020, 07:12 PM

I just realized my storage light (compartment between the seats) was staying on, draining the battery. The tab at the bottom of the door broke off and was not making contact with the switch. Be sure to check yours.

maupineda · 10-26-2020, 06:15 AM

^^^ the car will enter sleep mode and the light goes away, but yes. An unhealthy battery will suffer. I jad to change the door as my tab was broken

Z4Kevo · 04-18-2023, 07:02 PM

Since day one 2007...car is barely a year old...put the key in the igntion in the ON position and listen to the radio or just sit there long enough while cleaning or detailing (maybe 15-20 minutes) battery is drained enough to either not start the car or worse just goes dead.

Every new full size battery since gets drained in the same exact way by whatever energy vortex is opened up when the ignition is in the ON position. Can't say any other car i have ever owned has behaved like this.

I suppose between the screen and other nurnies being powered up it can drain that fast? Nutz either way.

AK72 · 04-19-2023, 07:45 AM

One more clue guys, since I changed licence plate bulbs to LED I have notices that they still staying on for about 1h in very low voltage mode you can barely see light but its coming from there.

Huz-Z · 04-19-2023, 08:35 AM

Is it practical to remove the bulb on the storage compartment for those with a broken tab? One could then use one of those stick on battery powered lights if lighting is needed there.

If the car’s battery is around 5 years old or more, it may need replacing.

10-14-2020, 01:48 PM	#1
Dynamics99 Private First Class 28 Rep 161 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 & E90 335i 6MT MSport Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0)	Battery Drain Issues Hi, Went to start my '04 Z4 3.0i 6M and the car would not crank. Had the starter motor replaced 2-3 months ago. It's been 3 days since I drove the car. Tried to swap out the ignition switch and no luck. The radio would not come on but the AC would work. Checked the voltage on the battery and it read around 8.3 Volts. Put the battery on a Noco Genius charger. I do have a dash cam hooked up to the fuse box but it has a parking feature that only runs on the dashcam's battery once the ignition is turned off. In addition to that I have grom bluetooth adapter. Every time I cold start the car it dies but starts fine the second time. If I give a little gas on the first cold run the car bogs or seems to misfire for a couple seconds and which I got codes on my reader for on all 6 cylinders. Where should I start diagnosing?
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10-14-2020, 02:35 PM	#2
rsutoratosu Captain 114 Rep 779 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	I would check the voltage while the car is running, I believe while running, it has to be above 13.7V. If not, alternator issue I believe Does your dash cam have the low voltage stop thingy.. I only have a regular one that comes on when the car is running, fear unknown drainging. __________________ -Roranji
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10-25-2020, 07:12 PM	#3
FrenchieTacoZ4 New Member 17 Rep 21 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4 3.0i 6spd manual Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW Z4 [0.00] 2004 BMW Z4 [0.00]	I just realized my storage light (compartment between the seats) was staying on, draining the battery. The tab at the bottom of the door broke off and was not making contact with the switch. Be sure to check yours.
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10-26-2020, 06:15 AM	#4
maupineda Captain 456 Rep 975 Posts Drives: E86 Z4MC Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Detroit, MI iTrader: (3)	^^^ the car will enter sleep mode and the light goes away, but yes. An unhealthy battery will suffer. I jad to change the door as my tab was broken
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04-18-2023, 07:02 PM	#5
Z4Kevo Private First Class 85 Rep 168 Posts Drives: 2007 M Coupe Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Republic of Texas iTrader: (0)	Since day one 2007...car is barely a year old...put the key in the igntion in the ON position and listen to the radio or just sit there long enough while cleaning or detailing (maybe 15-20 minutes) battery is drained enough to either not start the car or worse just goes dead. Every new full size battery since gets drained in the same exact way by whatever energy vortex is opened up when the ignition is in the ON position. Can't say any other car i have ever owned has behaved like this. I suppose between the screen and other nurnies being powered up it can drain that fast? Nutz either way. __________________ 2007 BMW Z4M Coupe \| Sapphire Black \| 19" ZCP Wheels \| Michelin PSS - 245/285 \| Carbon Leather Black Corners \| UUC Short Shifter \| ///M Racing Pedals \| OE Strut Brace \| LED Accents \| PEMP Android
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04-19-2023, 07:45 AM	#6
AK72 First Lieutenant 286 Rep 399 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW Z4 m Coupe Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	One more clue guys, since I changed licence plate bulbs to LED I have notices that they still staying on for about 1h in very low voltage mode you can barely see light but its coming from there. __________________ Powered by
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04-19-2023, 08:35 AM	#7
Huz-Z Brigadier General 851 Rep 4,057 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0si, 328 XDrive, X5 35i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Is it practical to remove the bulb on the storage compartment for those with a broken tab? One could then use one of those stick on battery powered lights if lighting is needed there. If the car’s battery is around 5 years old or more, it may need replacing.
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