Picked up my X5 from mechanic on Friday (CV Boots on Front, filters, air mass boot etc. servicework). They asked if noticed the battery icon light flickering on the dash -- not every time but happened with them twice. I had not and started it and drove off with no battery light icon. Next day did have it flicker and finally go off about half of its starts. Sunday happened again with short errand driving. Then the light came fully on and 15-30 seconds later the motor went off while driving and the "engine failsafe program" message came on. I was only about 3 miles from the mechanic so waited 15 minutes and would not start on first try. put into neutral and started down a hill. Limped it over the mechanic with no hazzard lights working. They checked it out today and seems to be fine with no big fault codes? Said to be safe put in a new alternator? This X5 has 80,925 miles on it and great maint. history. Could it like be something else? Thanks! John Harrisonburg, VA
Update -- Still need help! X5 still not right. They put in a 120 amp bosch alternator (what it called for according to my vin) and out came the original Valeo 140 amp one. Drove it 45 miles and started 4 times and then nothing -- the whole dash sequence is off etc. Not even turning over - dead. Voltage meter shows alternator working It is still at the repair shop and no significant codes show? I guess they will "guess" and replace battery (installed on 12/11) to see if the car responds. I wonder if anyone else has had this happen and also with all of the electronics/sensors does a different amperage alternator matter?
It might, I've seen other posts from folks about the electronics/computer systems in newer bimmers requiring specific voltages, monitoring for same, and various problems if they don't see what they're expecting. I know that doesn't help much, wish I knew more. With a battery that new, you wouldn't expect that to be it, but I've also heard batteries have cheapened (not as many plates as closely spaced as there used to be) and there being a higher prevalence of new batteries that are junk outta the box. And then there's that whole new-battery-registration requirement.
