Battery drainage or lights left on?

moldcad · 04-06-2018, 11:02 AM

Today with my car in the garage, I've received the following text message on my cell phone:

From: BMW ConnectedDrive [mailto:bmwconnecteddrive@bmwfin.com]
Sent: Friday, April 6, 2018 6:27 AM
To: p.wozniacki@wp.pl
Subject: Note: The battery in your vehicle V226928 is low.

Dear BMW ConnectedDrive Customer,

There is a risk of not being able to start the engine of your vehicle
V226928 because the lights are switched on.

Please check whether the lights are still needed.

Kind regards,

BMW ConnectedDrive
www.bmw-connecteddrive.co.uk
Please do not print this email unless you really need to. Thank you.

I rushed to my garage, unfortunately didn't think to wait till the rolling-up door is completely open and pressed the Open button on my car fob. Sure enough, the tail lights were on - but it might have the result of my just having opened the car. Anyway - the engine started, but there was a message in the dashboard about the battery being drained... I'm now charging it, but would like to hear your opinions on what the problem has been. I always have the switch in the A position, so even if I - for any reason (distraction etc.) - didn't shut the car off with the fob last night, there is no way for the lights to stay on all through the night - or is there? Even if they indeed were on, after more than 12 hours after closing the garage behind me the battery would probably have been already too week to even start the car, no?

Anyway, I'm quite a bit nervous about the incident. Would the battery be already going, and the Conned Drive message about the lights has just been one of those general sort of messages, actually only meaning that my battery discharge rate has suddenly increased? With the switch in A position, the lights would go off even if I didn't actually close the car with the fob...

Opinions welcome,

Piotr

3.0L · 04-06-2018, 11:20 AM

There are a number of factors that could cause a depleted battery.

1. Too many short trips.
2. Time between trips.
3. Old battery.

I believe our cars draw a small amount of power while sitting, so long time parking could eventually drain the battery (this has happened to my M235i).

Back-to-back short trips don't allow enough time for the alternator to fully recharge the battery.

And lastly, batteries don't last forever, so you might have it checked out at your favorite servicer.

moldcad · 04-06-2018, 12:00 PM

Yeah, we all know these factors. My questions is: since I don't have many non-driving periods, and yesterday was one of usual days (actually, over 200 km on a motorway) - is it heard off that the headlights really stayed on over the night? Or is this CD message about the results (low battery) rather than causes (lights on over the night)?

Piotr

overcoil · 04-06-2018, 12:01 PM

when was the last time you drove the car before the message about low battery was sent to you ?

moldcad · 04-06-2018, 12:13 PM

The evening before (last night); I got the message today around the noon...

overcoil · 04-06-2018, 12:29 PM

There is the possibility your battery is going bad. If it's the original battery 4 years approximately.
If you have a BMW dealer nearby then they can use a more sophisticated battery diagnostic tool.

I understand what your saying about the message being generic and the light switch positions and you being concerned.

moldcad · 04-06-2018, 12:32 PM

In the worst scenario: gone battery, do I have better options that just have my BMW dealer sold me a new one and program the car? Can it be done safely (and considerably cheaper) by an in dependent shop? Of course I assume my extended warranty doesn't covet this - or should I be fighting for free (warranty) replacement, considering noone can prove a negligence to me (I'm driving long trips only, like 600km minimum, at least once a week)?

Piotr

PS. And again: is it technically possible that with the fob with me, some 200m away from my garage, and with the selector switch always in the Auto position - the lights were on indeed? Nobody even tried to address this basic question so far; my technical knowledge tells me it should never happen - so if it happened, isn't it a malfunction which (unlike a dead battery itself) should in fact be covered by (even the extended, i.e. with lots of exclusions) warranty?

I've been trickle-charging the battery for some 6-7 hours now, and it's still not full according to my rather high quality Bosch charger!

Piotr

moldcad · 04-06-2018, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

There is the possibility your battery is going bad. If it's the original battery 4 years approximately.
If you have a BMW dealer nearby then they can use a more sophisticated battery diagnostic tool.

I understand what your saying about the message being generic and the light switch positions and you being concerned.

Are you saying 4 years is an average life span of a modern BMW battery?!!! I had my 2002 E46 330i for 9 years, and sold it away with the original battery it came with from factory!

Piotr

Tyresian · 04-06-2018, 01:17 PM

Temperature changes can also cause the battery drain message. I'm not sure how it is in Poland for weather but I know in the years of ownership with my 2015 335 if the temp goes from above 0 C to -26C or colder it is guaranteed I'll get a battery drainage message. I talked to the service adviser at my dealership and they said its just the sudden change in charge from the temperature, they get tons of calls at the start of winter every year.

Those temperatures are my estimates, it might not even need that big of a drop to be impacted.

aerobod · 04-06-2018, 01:51 PM

When you left the car, if the indicator stalk was accidentally hit, the parking lights would be turned on on one side (I believe this will trigger a dash message to the effect they are on). When the car sent the low battery message, the lights would have been switched off. As the indicators are electronically activated and there is no mechanical stop for them, there would be no evidence this had been the case.

overcoil · 04-06-2018, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moldcad

Are you saying 4 years is an average life span of a modern BMW battery?!!! I had my 2002 E46 330i for 9 years, and sold it away with the original battery it came with from factory!

Piotr

Ive had batteries also last for nearly a decade, but 4-5 years is considered a normal life span. give me a second and I'll try to find a credible link confirming

Couldn't really find anything good in lifespan https://auto.howstuffworks.com/under...r-battery1.htm

04-06-2018, 11:02 AM	#1
moldcad Major 267 Rep 1,091 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Poland iTrader: (0)	Battery drainage or lights left on? Today with my car in the garage, I've received the following text message on my cell phone: From: BMW ConnectedDrive [mailto:bmwconnecteddrive@bmwfin.com] Sent: Friday, April 6, 2018 6:27 AM To: p.wozniacki@wp.pl Subject: Note: The battery in your vehicle V226928 is low. Dear BMW ConnectedDrive Customer, There is a risk of not being able to start the engine of your vehicle V226928 because the lights are switched on. Please check whether the lights are still needed. Kind regards, BMW ConnectedDrive www.bmw-connecteddrive.co.uk Please do not print this email unless you really need to. Thank you. I rushed to my garage, unfortunately didn't think to wait till the rolling-up door is completely open and pressed the Open button on my car fob. Sure enough, the tail lights were on - but it might have the result of my just having opened the car. Anyway - the engine started, but there was a message in the dashboard about the battery being drained... I'm now charging it, but would like to hear your opinions on what the problem has been. I always have the switch in the A position, so even if I - for any reason (distraction etc.) - didn't shut the car off with the fob last night, there is no way for the lights to stay on all through the night - or is there? Even if they indeed were on, after more than 12 hours after closing the garage behind me the battery would probably have been already too week to even start the car, no? Anyway, I'm quite a bit nervous about the incident. Would the battery be already going, and the Conned Drive message about the lights has just been one of those general sort of messages, actually only meaning that my battery discharge rate has suddenly increased? With the switch in A position, the lights would go off even if I didn't actually close the car with the fob... Opinions welcome, Piotr __________________ previous: 2003 E46 330i SMG just sold: 2013 F10 528i xDrive my AWD beater: 2015 Golf R mk7 DSG my RWD pirate & long-distance cruiser: 2015 M235i AT8, LSD Last edited by moldcad; 04-06-2018 at 11:10 AM..
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04-06-2018, 11:20 AM	#2
3.0L Colonel 8951 Rep 2,010 Posts Drives: M235i, 20k miles Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: California iTrader: (0)	There are a number of factors that could cause a depleted battery. 1. Too many short trips. 2. Time between trips. 3. Old battery. I believe our cars draw a small amount of power while sitting, so long time parking could eventually drain the battery (this has happened to my M235i). Back-to-back short trips don't allow enough time for the alternator to fully recharge the battery. And lastly, batteries don't last forever, so you might have it checked out at your favorite servicer. __________________ 2014 BMW M235i 2024 Mercedes Benz GLC300 When writing your life's plan, use a pencil with an eraser[/SIZE]
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04-06-2018, 12:00 PM	#3
moldcad Major 267 Rep 1,091 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Poland iTrader: (0)	Yeah, we all know these factors. My questions is: since I don't have many non-driving periods, and yesterday was one of usual days (actually, over 200 km on a motorway) - is it heard off that the headlights really stayed on over the night? Or is this CD message about the results (low battery) rather than causes (lights on over the night)? Piotr __________________ previous: 2003 E46 330i SMG just sold: 2013 F10 528i xDrive my AWD beater: 2015 Golf R mk7 DSG my RWD pirate & long-distance cruiser: 2015 M235i AT8, LSD
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04-06-2018, 12:01 PM	#4
overcoil Major General 3081 Rep 5,580 Posts Drives: M235i 6spd Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (0)	when was the last time you drove the car before the message about low battery was sent to you ?
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04-06-2018, 12:13 PM	#5
moldcad Major 267 Rep 1,091 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Poland iTrader: (0)	The evening before (last night); I got the message today around the noon... __________________ previous: 2003 E46 330i SMG just sold: 2013 F10 528i xDrive my AWD beater: 2015 Golf R mk7 DSG my RWD pirate & long-distance cruiser: 2015 M235i AT8, LSD
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04-06-2018, 12:29 PM	#6
overcoil Major General 3081 Rep 5,580 Posts Drives: M235i 6spd Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (0)	There is the possibility your battery is going bad. If it's the original battery 4 years approximately. If you have a BMW dealer nearby then they can use a more sophisticated battery diagnostic tool. I understand what your saying about the message being generic and the light switch positions and you being concerned.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-06-2018, 12:32 PM	#7
moldcad Major 267 Rep 1,091 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Poland iTrader: (0)	In the worst scenario: gone battery, do I have better options that just have my BMW dealer sold me a new one and program the car? Can it be done safely (and considerably cheaper) by an in dependent shop? Of course I assume my extended warranty doesn't covet this - or should I be fighting for free (warranty) replacement, considering noone can prove a negligence to me (I'm driving long trips only, like 600km minimum, at least once a week)? Piotr PS. And again: is it technically possible that with the fob with me, some 200m away from my garage, and with the selector switch always in the Auto position - the lights were on indeed? Nobody even tried to address this basic question so far; my technical knowledge tells me it should never happen - so if it happened, isn't it a malfunction which (unlike a dead battery itself) should in fact be covered by (even the extended, i.e. with lots of exclusions) warranty? I've been trickle-charging the battery for some 6-7 hours now, and it's still not full according to my rather high quality Bosch charger! Piotr __________________ previous: 2003 E46 330i SMG just sold: 2013 F10 528i xDrive my AWD beater: 2015 Golf R mk7 DSG my RWD pirate & long-distance cruiser: 2015 M235i AT8, LSD
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04-06-2018, 01:17 PM	#9
Tyresian Private First Class 69 Rep 151 Posts Drives: 2018 230xi Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (0)	Temperature changes can also cause the battery drain message. I'm not sure how it is in Poland for weather but I know in the years of ownership with my 2015 335 if the temp goes from above 0 C to -26C or colder it is guaranteed I'll get a battery drainage message. I talked to the service adviser at my dealership and they said its just the sudden change in charge from the temperature, they get tons of calls at the start of winter every year. Those temperatures are my estimates, it might not even need that big of a drop to be impacted.
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04-06-2018, 01:51 PM	#10
aerobod Car Geek 3730 Rep 3,633 Posts Drives: Caterham R500, M2-G87, Macan S Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	When you left the car, if the indicator stalk was accidentally hit, the parking lights would be turned on on one side (I believe this will trigger a dash message to the effect they are on). When the car sent the low battery message, the lights would have been switched off. As the indicators are electronically activated and there is no mechanical stop for them, there would be no evidence this had been the case.
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