[jcordier]

Hello, I have an issue with my auto start stop and I keep getting codes saying low voltage. However; bimmerlink says my battery is at 73%. When are these batteries supposed to be replaced at? 60% maybe? It's a 2013 on the same battery with 95k miles if that helps. I've been trying to find something on the forums but they're for E90's. Tia

[chowser51]

No help here, just commenting:

wow! 7 years! I can barely get 4-5 on any car battery.
No matter the brand of car. I always replace by year 5.
My daughter's car is 13 years old and on the original battery. I should probably change it but it made it through the worst of winter already with no issues.

[jcordier]

Originally Posted by chowser51

No help here, just commenting:

wow! 7 years! I can barely get 4-5 on any car battery.
No matter the brand of car. I always replace by year 5.
My daughter's car is 13 years old and on the original battery. I should probably change it but it made it through the worst of winter already with no issues.

I'm in southern California so our winters are like spring. Good thing we have a storm right now. But we'll be in a drought again lol

[Gen13 F36]

Originally Posted by jcordier

Hello, I have an issue with my auto start stop and I keep getting codes saying low voltage. However; bimmerlink says my battery is at 73%. When are these batteries supposed to be replaced at? 60% maybe? It's a 2013 on the same battery with 95k miles if that helps. I've been trying to find something on the forums but they're for E90's. Tia

How old is the battery, you are already getting signs... there are only 2 ways to go with this.

1. Preemptive strike means you replace an old battery before you get stuck somewhere on the side of the road.

2. Wait for it to die out with you stuck on the side of the road.

[davidr3]

Once the car starts telling you something is up, take it and run. Replace that thing. No point in trying to squeeze the life out of it and being stranded somewhere.

[jcordier]

Originally Posted by Gen13 F36

How old is the battery, you are already getting signs... there are only 2 ways to go with this.

1. Preemptive strike means you replace an old battery before you get stuck somewhere on the side of the road.

2. Wait for it to die out with you stuck on the side of the road.

I'm going with number 1. I've been thinking the same thing. I was just thinking what if I would be replacing it when it's unnecessary because it's still at 73%. I have a lot of things plugged in too such as two dash cams, WiFi for bm3, echo auto and 2 chargers. I'm sure that's probably taking a massive toll on it's life. I'll be replacing it tomorrow. I don't want to get stuck and be sol.

[chiefneil]

Originally Posted by jcordier

I'm going with number 1. I've been thinking the same thing. I was just thinking what if I would be replacing it when it's unnecessary because it's still at 73%. I have a lot of things plugged in too such as two dash cams, WiFi for bm3, echo auto and 2 chargers. I'm sure that's probably taking a massive toll on it's life. I'll be replacing it tomorrow. I don't want to get stuck and be sol.

You’re overdue anyway, count your blessings and change it. Maybe you could squeeze another year out of it, but at the cost of wondering every time if this is the trip where you get stranded. And you know it would be at the most inconvenient time possible.

[jcordier]

Originally Posted by chiefneil

You’re overdue anyway, count your blessings and change it. Maybe you could squeeze another year out of it, but at the cost of wondering every time if this is the trip where you get stranded. And you know it would be at the most inconvenient time possible.

I couldn't agree more. I keep wondering if it's going to be it's last start. It's best to just replace it and not have to worry anymore. Like you said, "I don't want to get stuck somewhere which would probably be the worst place possible".

[pshovest]

I've averaged 7 years from factory BMW batteries on my E60 & E70. Very similar results with Walmart (Johnson Controls) replacement batteries on my E36 & E39's. At 73% charge, you don't have a battery problem. The DME won't prevent starting until battery SOC is 35-40%, depending on temperature. I wonder if you have a charging problem or a bad engine ground cable. Do you get the low voltage warning if you disable auto start-stop? How long does car sit with engine off and all accessories on, before re-start?

[jcordier]

Originally Posted by pshovest

I've averaged 7 years from factory BMW batteries on my E60 & E70. Very similar results with Walmart (Johnson Controls) replacement batteries on my E36 & E39's. At 73% charge, you don't have a battery problem. The DME won't prevent starting until battery SOC is 35-40%, depending on temperature. I wonder if you have a charging problem or a bad engine ground cable. Do you get the low voltage warning if you disable auto start-stop? How long does car sit with engine off and all accessories on, before re-start?

That's what I was thinking 73% seems pretty solid for it to be acting up the way it is. if there's a charging problem or something wrong with the alternator. Would I get a code? do you mean the ground cable to the battery itself? I keep getting a rear camera code a lot but I just clear it. Below is a pic of the codes that always come up. Faulty going to sleep is because of the dash cam or bm3 WiFi module. Even when I disconnect them I still can't use auto start stop either. So I don't think that's the issue. My heater won't blow out both sides either. It's one or the other. Which might be the causing the climate code.

[Gen13 F36]

Originally Posted by jcordier

That's what I was thinking 73% seems pretty solid for it to be acting up the way it is. if there's a charging problem or something wrong with the alternator. Would I get a code? do you mean the ground cable to the battery itself? I keep getting a rear camera code a lot but I just clear it. Below is a pic of the codes that always come up. Faulty going to sleep is because of the dash cam or bm3 WiFi module. Even when I disconnect them I still can't use auto start stop either. So I don't think that's the issue. My heater won't blow out both sides either. It's one or the other. Which might be the causing the climate code.

Look...okay I get it, you don't want to spend money.

You want to know if you have a charging problem. Use a voltmeter to measure the voltage on your battery when the car is running (alternator is running), it should be close to 14 volt. My previous car was actually 14.2 volt when alternator is charging the battery. Some people get 13.7 volt.

Anyway... the battery is 8 yrs old in a modern car with lots of electronics...its already one of kind battery for lasting that long.

Just me, I don't want to get stranded in the middle of nowhere at night just for the sake of keeping this battery for another year. Those error codes you getting is the battery telling you... bro let me retire bro.

[jcordier]

Originally Posted by Gen13 F36

Look...okay I get it, you don't want to spend money.

You want to know if you have a charging problem. Use a voltmeter to measure the voltage on your battery when the car is running (alternator is running), it should be close to 14 volt. My previous car was actually 14.2 volt when alternator is charging the battery. Some people get 13.7 volt.

Anyway... the battery is 8 yrs old in a modern car with lots of electronics...its already one of kind battery for lasting that long.

Just me, I don't want to get stranded in the middle of nowhere at night just for the sake of keeping this battery for another year. Those error codes you getting is the battery telling you... bro let me retire bro.

I went yesterday to get the battery and the guy told me that I didn't need one yet because it was still okay. And that when agm batteries are dying. They normally just die completely. I'll use bm3 and check how the battery runs when I'm driving. Either way. I'm going to order one right now. I don't want to get stuck. Plus I'm thinking it might solve all of the other issues I've been having. Thank you for your advice. My battery will be retiring as soon as I get the new one in the mail.

[jcordier]

If anybody else needs a battery. I used this site

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...igationPath=L1*14920%7CL2*15000%7CL3*15597

And was able to use a 25% coupon code that they sent me for signing up.

[Orion4]

Originally Posted by jcordier

I went yesterday to get the battery and the guy told me that I didn't need one yet because it was still okay. And that when agm batteries are dying. They normally just die completely. I'll use bm3 and check how the battery runs when I'm driving. Either way. I'm going to order one right now. I don't want to get stuck. Plus I'm thinking it might solve all of the other issues I've been having. Thank you for your advice. My battery will be retiring as soon as I get the new one in the mail.

Did he load test the battery? That normally gives you a fairly accurate picture of the battery's condition.

[jcordier]

Originally Posted by Orion4

Did he load test the battery? That normally gives you a fairly accurate picture of the battery's condition.

He did. It came back okay then. I just went else where to have it checked again, and it failed miserably. I'm glad I double checked it.

[jcordier]

Quick update: replaced my battery. And auto start stop doesn't work still. If it's my alternator would I get a code? Or could it be a problem with bm3?

[fuse27]

I don't think I saw in the thread, but did you code the new battery? This can be done with the BimmerLink app, as well as others. Make sure that's done and then see if auto start/stop is still an issue.

[davidr3]

Yup, you're going to have to buy an OBD 2 adapter, and the bimmerlink app, or use the carly app with their adapter. Not familiar with BM3 but maybe that'll let you code the battery. Anyway, BMW recommends all car batteries to be coded. I'm speaking purely from experience that the car doesn't seem to be as smooth until the car battery is coded. (electronics acting weird, car taking a little longer to turn over)
Edit: If the battery was coded: Did the battery come precharged? Auto start stop won't work until the battery is charged up.

[jcordier]

I used bimmerlink and registered the new battery. It came 99% charged. It was kind of weird that I didn't have to enter anything in to register the new battery. It just knew I guess. It was very convenient, and I recommend using it. Even it being at 99% auto start stop doesn't work. I'm thinking maybe it's the alternator now. It starts a lot better than it was before with my old battery which is a good sign. Thank you everybody for responding.

[davidr3]

If it makes you feel any better, I never use start stop nor do a lot of the other forum members. Obviously this isn't a fix to the issue but i'm not sure how important Auto start stop is to you. If it's more important to you then i'd start looking into it deeper.

[pshovest]

Is your car an auto? Do you run in manual/sport mode with gear shift to the left all the time? I believe auto stop start is disabled with gearshift to the left.
Have your codes disappeared with the new battery?
If you didn't use the code reader, are there any dash warnings/messages to indicate a problem?

[upsidedownfunnel]

Originally Posted by jcordier

Hello, I have an issue with my auto start stop and I keep getting codes saying low voltage. However; bimmerlink says my battery is at 73%. When are these batteries supposed to be replaced at? 60% maybe? It's a 2013 on the same battery with 95k miles if that helps. I've been trying to find something on the forums but they're for E90's. Tia

State of charge is the amount of charge in the battery, not how much life is left. A brand new battery could show 70% and a battery that needs replacing could show 70%. Your battery probably has a high internal resistance and is not holding charge as well as it should.

Batteries require different replacement intervals depending on many variables. As others have said, it's time to replace your battery. Do not question that.