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If you’re getting a battery discharged message on your BMW dashboard, it’s time to start paying attention.
BMW owners can monitor the status of their car batteries and troubleshoot issues with an intelligent display.
A warning message will appear on the display system if the battery suffers from a slow or fast discharge.
You’ll need to address the reason for the battery discharging as soon as possible to avoid problems in the future.
In this article, you’ll learn how to fix BMW battery discharging from happening again in the future to save money on costly repairs.
What Does BMW Battery Discharge Message Mean?
The battery discharge error message is one of the most common problems.
The BMW cars have sensitive electronic systems that show error messages from time to time due to the battery discharge while stopped.
It typically comes on in colder weather. The first thing to know about the warning message is that your battery isn’t charging correctly.
The warning will often come on in cold weather, and it can go away once the temperature warms up.
Even though this is normal, it’s still important to figure out what’s causing the problem so you don’t end up with a dead battery and can’t start your car!
Note that this error message may be accompanied by other messages, such as:
Battery Charge Warning
This warning indicates something wrong with how much power the vehicle uses while driving around town or cruising along highways without any significant acceleration required from its engine.
Battery Discharge Warning
This warning indicates a problem with how much power your car is using while idling or parked.
It can also be due to the alternator not working efficiently enough to charge when running at low revs.
Why Causes BMW Battery Discharging?
BMW battery discharging while stopped is common. Several things can cause your BMW battery to die after sitting overnight or driving.
If you notice your car battery discharging while stopped, it’s time to figure out what’s happening.
There are many reasons why your BMW battery discharges while stopped.
- Common discharge causes include faulty IBS (Intelligent Battery Sensors) and old batteries. It may not hold a charge, and an electronic device connected to the 12-volt outlet may be draining power from the battery.
- Problems with the junction box, DME, DDE, CA module, and OBD2 port can also cause your battery to drain quickly. You should check out the following potential reasons.
- Another possible cause could be a faulty alternator, which doesn’t charge the battery correctly. The alternator induces electricity by transforming the mechanical energy into electrical energy to charge the battery.
- A component of the Intelligent Battery sensor may malfunction, causing the battery to discharge if the vehicle while car stops for an extended time. The IBS may protect the car if a malfunctioning component drains the battery.
How Can A Low Battery Cause Problems For My BMW?
The battery provides significant power to drive. The battery management system controls and monitors charging levels.
Tests have shown that the average BMW battery should last between four and six years under regular use.
When the battery reaches this age, you may experience warnings from your vehicle’s onboard computer system when you try to start it or drive it.
You should have the battery checked by a trained mechanic if this happens.
If your battery fails, you may notice decreased performance in your headlights and engine, or the car may not start.
Check the condition of your headlights for a sign of low battery power; replace the battery if needed.
It would be helpful to seek professional assistance for a battery’s health problems.
How To Patch The Battery Discharging Warning?
A poor battery cable connection or the IBS sensor cable to the battery’s negative terminal may increase battery discharge and an error message.
Check that the terminals are not loose, especially if you receive this error message after replacing the battery terminals.
Suppose your BMW continues battery discharging while stopped; you need to check the IBS cables. Your car may experience an abnormal parasitic current.
If the terminals are not flexible, remove them and clean them with a battery terminal brush.
Corrosion on these terminals increases battery drain. Sometimes alternator will not charge the battery precisely.
The faulty alternator leads the battery to lose charge quickly.
You may notice a reduced battery charge, and the car may fail to start after sitting overnight.
The battery light suggests faults in the charging system and voltage regulator. You can connect a trickle charger to the battery for several hours once a week.
How To Check BMW Battery Life?
In cold weather, the power output of a battery decreases, and multiple consumers can cause the vehicle to draw too much power from the battery.
The result is that you may get a low or dead battery warning on your BMW.
If your battery is old, you may need to replace it soon. In colder weather, the car’s battery discharges much quicker than usual.
You may also see the BMW battery discharging while stopped for an extended period without use.
BMWs use a battery management system that accurately monitors the battery’s state of charge and condition.
Suppose the battery discharges to the point where it can no longer operate all of the vehicle’s systems.
In that case, these components will automatically turn off to save power and prevent damage.
How To Fix BMW Battery Discharging While Stopped?
To prevent your BMW from battery discharging while stopped, you need to know how to fix it.
After all, you don’t want to be stranded on the road because your car won’t start again.
- Some electronic devices can draw too much power for the cigarette lighter socket to handle. When cleaning the car, first ensure that it is free of 12-volt electronics. Specifically, unplug any phone chargers, GPS charging cables, and other devices.
- Check the age of the car’s battery, and consider replacing it if it is over five years old. Use a BMW-approved battery charger to charge the battery fully.
- Drive your BMW for at least 30 minutes. If the error message reappears, continue troubleshooting.
- If the battery test shows average values, the next step is to read error codes from the DME module and perform an entire system check.
- If you connected an accessory directly to the negative battery terminal, disconnect this connection and use one of the ground bolts on the vehicle’s body.
The Final Word
Your BMW battery discharging while stopped is a problem you should keep in mind whenever you start your car, especially if the weather is cold.
The best way to prevent that problem is to take care of the battery. Make sure the connections are clean and tighten them if they’re loose.
Also, avoid over-discharging the battery because it will lose its charge even when it is not in use.
However, it’s essential to regularly check the health of your battery and replace it in advance before it starts bottoming out.
We hope that the information in this article provides you with a sufficient amount of information to help you resolve your battery problems.
With comprehensive experience in writing exceptional quality articles and blogs about cars and related stuff, Daniel is one of the finest bloggers and a hardcore car lover we have. He is an ASE certified technician with an across-the-board experience of 10 years in the industry. He could not help tinkering with anything he got his hands on from a young age, which led to his remarkable career in the automotive repair industry.
When he is not under any hood, you can find him on the water or in the woods to pursue his passion for hunting and fishing. He has been writing for multiple sectors and is a regular contributor to several publications.
He currently owns a Nissan 300ZX TT and a Pearl Yellow but plans to upgrade it to 550 HP. His favorites include the Koenigsegg CCX and Lamborghini Diablo 6.0 VT, but for him, the Ferrari 360 Spider is one of the sexiest cars that exists to date.
Being an avid world traveler, he has spent most of his time analyzing the automotive markets, latest technology, and local favorites to enhance his knowledge base. He is currently living in North Caroline, where it’s all about food and coffee and, of course, cars.
