V1 killed my battery

///M SPEED

///M SPEED

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#1
Damn V1 killed my battery. I didn't realize they sucked so much juice. I did turn it on for just a little while (1-2 min.) the radio was on, car was off, and all of the sudden the radio cut out. I was like; hmm, what the hell. When I tried to start the car in the garage the Xenon’s and Halogens flashed on and off. First the Xenon’s will flash and go off and then the Halogens on/off. The interior lights dimmed and the car would not start. Each time I tried the battery seemed to get weaker and weaker until the lights stopped to flash.

I tried about 10 min. later and the lights started to do the same thing. There is no warning codes or dash lights indicating a major problem and the time is still set, but the car will not start. Seems as if the battery is low.

When I first bought the car the battery was dead and the dealer had to charge it up. I had it maybe one week and I killed the battery talking a friend with the door open and the key in position 1. I didn't realize the daytime running lights were on when the lights are set to Auto in that position. Needless to say I killed the battery and had to call Roadside Assistance to get a jump. I have not had a problem with the battery since tonight. I hope it is just the battery. I do not think the radar detector did anything to the car. I have placed my friends V1 in my car (it is already hard-wired) and it didn't cause any problems so I doubt this pertains to the V1 in general besides drawing a lot of power if the car is not started and on a possible weak battery. This sucks. I will look at it tomorrow Sat. morning and see what I can find out....

P.S. V1 power requirements:

11.0 - 16.0 Volts DC Negative Ground
225 mA typical standby, 425 mA maximum alarm condition.

Is this a lot of power with the car off and the detector just turned on the on position with no detection warnings? Just wondering. My battery may be weak...
 
B

Big Daddy

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That sucks Scott that does not seem like a lot of mili amps. Do you need a charger, I have a motorcycle charger, 1 amp, trickle charger you are welcome to it if you need it.
 
///M SPEED

///M SPEED

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Big Daddy said:
That sucks Scott that does not seem like a lot of mili amps. Do you need a charger, I have a motorcycle charger, 1 amp, trickle charger you are welcome to it if you need it.
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Hey, thanks for reminding me Dan. I have one as well from my motorcycle days (many many of them). I should use it tonight. Thanks for reminding me. Do you know of a place that can test batteries to see if they are weak or is this possible? I don't like batteries very much I am afraid of them. I have seen one explode and it wasn't pretty....
 
B

Big Daddy

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As much as I do not like them Schucks auto has a battery load tester, I believe Car Quest would as well. Oh better yet Les Schwab can test it for you and I trust them. Put it on the trickle charger overnight tonight and than have it tested. Good luck and if you need anything give me a call, I'll PM my number to you.
 
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///M SPEED

///M SPEED

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Tom said:
hehe, quit being so lazy Scott and turn off the dang thing before you leave. [:D]
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Well you know with the auto lights and all.....hehe

No really, I used the trickle charger (motorcycle charger) on it overnight and it was fine the next morning. I think my battery is getting weak. I have to watch it and have the battery checked out....
 
E

epj3

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///M SPEED said:
Well you know with the auto lights and all.....hehe

No really, I used the trickle charger (motorcycle charger) on it overnight and it was fine the next morning. I think my battery is getting weak. I have to watch it and have the battery checked out....
Click to expand...
Someone needs to start a group buy on batteries [hihi] Mine is going down the crapper too.
 
foomonkey525i

foomonkey525i

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Mine too, and I can't figure out how to get to it.

It's having trouble starting if I leave it sitting for more than a few days, so I really need to find that thing soon.
 
E

epj3

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foomonkey525i said:
Mine too, and I can't figure out how to get to it.

It's having trouble starting if I leave it sitting for more than a few days, so I really need to find that thing soon.
Click to expand...
Under the rear seat, if you pull up hard on the front of the bottom of the seat, it'll snap up - do it on each side. Don't worry - there's no way in hell you can break it.


Yes it's dirty - know why? Look at the white stuff outside of the car!! I wasn't going to stand out and vacuume/clean the car in 25 degree weather [8)]
 
foomonkey525i

foomonkey525i

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Ah, thanks. I thought it was under the seat, just wasn't sure. I tried to get the seat up last night, but I guess I just wasn't pulling hard enough, and I didn't want to break anything.
 
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epj3

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foomonkey525i said:
Ah, thanks. I thought it was under the seat, just wasn't sure. I tried to get the seat up last night, but I guess I just wasn't pulling hard enough, and I didn't want to break anything.
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Yea just pull really hard. The seat is very solid underneath - nothing to worry about.
 
jszar

jszar

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that little electronic gazmo does pull quite a bit of current for its size, but in no way should it kill your battery. your car should be able to sit with the door open, radio on, even that radar detector at the same time for at least 2-3 hours on a normal battery. if we are talking about a matter of minutes...then something is wrong. i suggest les schwab as well, they can tell you whats wrong and find a battery that will suite your needs. thats one company i love about the west coast, the south and east coast don't know tire service until you've been to les schwab. i love the free beef days!
 
Average Jae

Average Jae

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Scott, if the car had a battery problem to begin with and is now showing up with them again, i would have the dealer replace the dang thing. get in good with the SA and have him take care of it for ya.

your thread title scared me!! [:p]
 
I

I love my 5 Series

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#15
A few hundred milliamps are nothing. Think of your headlights at 45 watts each (6.5 amps at 12 volts or 6,500 milliamps). Either something is wrong with your V1, you have a bad circuit in your car, or you have a bad cell in your battery. I'd take it back to the dealer and demand that he repair the car. I'd also tell your friends, co-workers, relatives, etc, to stay away from that dealer. I think it's rotten for them to dump a problem car on you.

Good luck
 
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I love my 5 Series said:
A few hundred milliamps are nothing. Think of your headlights at 45 watts each (6.5 amps at 12 volts or 6,500 milliamps). Either something is wrong with your V1, you have a bad circuit in your car, or you have a bad cell in your battery. I'd take it back to the dealer and demand that he repair the car. I'd also tell your friends, co-workers, relatives, etc, to stay away from that dealer. I think it's rotten for them to dump a problem car on you.

Good luck
Click to expand...
Hehe, slow down hoss... [:D]

This car was bought some time ago. The dealer has been great and has nothing to do with this problem. The V1 problem only happened at the same time the battery was low and it only looked like it was the culprit. The car is running fine now. I charged it up and has not had any problems since. I do think the battery is going bad, but for an original battery going on 3 and half + years it is getting due for a change. Granted it hasn't lived as long as some if my batteries in other cars (10 years in my 91 Prelude on original battery), but I have abused this poor battery too....

You are correct that that is not very much power being drawn. Yes, when I first bought the car it did indeed have a dead battery, but that is not uncommon at dealers. Some have the battery disconnected from the cars all together to prevent this from happening. Thanks for the replay too……
 
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#18
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Well, my battery finally decided to give out. I had to jump it this morning (forced to drive it to work today) to get it out of the garage.

I called BMW and they quoted me a price for a new battery from them, get this; $166.66 plus tax for a new battery through the dealer. However, my warrantee covers this. I will see. I drove the car there at noon (it barely started). They want to take a look at the battery, charge it up, look for power leaks (make sure it is the battery and not something electrical), and replace with new if need be. I told them I have already charged this a couple of times and I am sure the battery is going dead.

He thinks so as well, but they need to make sure. When they went to move the car they had to jump it because it was dead again...hehehehe

I will pick it up later tonight after I get off work and we'll see......
 
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epj3

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Hmmm maybe you can somehow get them to give you TWO batteries under warranty...then i'll buy your extra battery off of you for a cheap cheap price!!!!
 
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