[Salty B.]

Started my car after it'd been sitting in the garage for 4-5 weeks (traveling like a lunatic for work). Slow crank but it fired, drove it to the wash bay here and cleaned up the engine compartment with P21S cleaner and light water spray, no high pressure. After washing the car I got a low battery warning and "drivetrain malfunction". Pulled this FF1210 code with BimmerLink. Could not get it to clear.

Yeah the battery is old (2014) and I know it's dying. I drove around for about 15 minutes and the low-battery warning went away, but this generic drivetrain error remains.

B-Link says the battery is at 38%. I'm gong to replace it when I'm back in town. But I can't find a description of this fault code (obvs I've done a few web searches). Anyone know what this code means? Maybe I got some water in the alternator?

[thejeremyman9]

15 mins isnt really enough to charge the battery. It can easily take an hour of driving, depending on what type of driving you are doing. I would put the car on a charger/maintainer and rescan/clear codes after its full.

I also drive far less now due to working from home and although i dont leave my car on a maintainer 24/7, i bought a CTEK (the one BMW rebrands) and i toss it on the car overnight if i haven't driving it for two weeks or more.

[Salty B.]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

15 mins isnt really enough to charge the battery. It can easily take an hour of driving, depending on what type of driving you are doing. I would put the car on a charger/maintainer and rescan/clear codes after its full.

I also drive far less now due to working from home and although i dont leave my car on a maintainer 24/7, i bought a CTEK (the one BMW rebrands) and i toss it on the car overnight if i haven't driving it for two weeks or more.

Battery was dying anyway. Seven years is pushing it.

I just installed a new 900ah AGM battery (and registered it) as my Sunday trip canceled last-minute, and while the CEL is off and there's no more "drivetrain malfunction" on the iDrive, there's still a "permanent error" showing up in BimmerLink. Eh whatever... maybe that will go away once I drive it some more.