We have a 2012 X-3 that was purchased new. Just put a very expensive dealer installed battery. We were getting low battery message on dash. Dealer recommended also a BMW battery charger. I will keep the charger on until the green light turns solid steady light. I unhooked the charger took a 38 mile trip at 65MPH. Put the car back in my heated garage, and reconnected the battery charger. To my surprise, the red light came back on meaning the battery was only 80 percent charged. It took another six hours of charging to get the steady green light. The dealer says this is normal. Sounds to me this low mileage car is not charging. Has anyone had this problem?
What they gave you in called a trickle charger. It is actually slightly different from a battery charger. A trickle charger will basically top off the charge on you battery. This of course is done by using a very low amp charge which takes a long time. I have a charger for my M5 and every time I take it off and drive it and put it back on the charger the red light will come on. What did the dealer say the reason was for the battery needing to be replaced?
The dealer said the battery failed the charge test. I don't know what that meant other than the car's computer recorded, we failed to press the stop button twice, in the last thirty start cycles. I don't remember doing that, but one cannot question a computer print out. When ever it gets cold, below 20 degrees this low battery message has always shown. Never has the car failed to start because of low battery. The dealer actually paid for the battery, if we paid installation which was two hundred dollars. The dealer has always been helpful, never had any complaints. I feel this car has poor engineering and does not produce enough charge to handle requirements of the vehicle
Yes its the current being used while the car is asleep that kills the battery. There is a bulletin for this issue with the light on cold starting for reprogramming the vehicle if I remember correctly I believe your car is involved. Did they ever say anything about reprogramming the vehicle to you?
