Electrical - Increased Battery Drain Message Displayed
SI B61 05 09General Electrical Systems
April 2009
Technical Service
SUBJECT
CC Message "Vehicle Battery! Increased Battery Discharge" After Vehicle Is Stationary
MODEL
E82, E88 (1 Series)
E90, E91, E92, E93 (3 Series)
E60, E61 (5 Series)
E63, E64 (6 Series)
E65, E66 (7 Series)
E70 (X5)
E71 (X6)
SITUATION
If the vehicle has been switched off for a lengthy period of time (longer than 68 minutes), the following Check Control message appears the next time the ignition or the engine is switched on: "Vehicle Battery! Increased Battery Discharge when engine off". At the same time, the yellow lifting symbol in the instrument cluster lights up.
The "Energy Diagnosis" test plan shows entries regarding increased off-load current (closed circuit current violation).
CAUSE
Retrofitted electrical after-market equipment (e.g., hands-free systems, navigation systems, GPS or entertainment systems) may have been incorrectly connected to Terminal 30, Terminal 30g-f or directly to the battery.
Among other variables, the intelligent battery sensor (IBS) regularly monitors the battery's discharge current while the vehicle is off. The measures values are transmitted to the DME/DDE through the bitserial
data interface (BSD).
If the measured off-load current exceeds a value of 80 mA once Terminal R is switched on after 68 minutes (E70 and E71 vehicles produced from 9/08: 120 mA after 28 hours), the engine management system outputs the CC message "Vehicle Battery! Increased Battery Discharge" the next time Terminal 15 is switched on. This happens regardless of the battery state of charge.
PROCEDURE
Only install equipment or accessories which have been approved by BMW. Equipment or accessories must strictly only be connected to Terminal 15 or Terminal 30g, unless otherwise specified in the installation instructions of the BMW retrofit kit.
In the event of the situation described above, check the vehicle for non-approved installations and ask the customer whether components have been retrofitted.
1. Complete the Energy Diagnosis test plan. Read out the check control history memory and look for number 220 (Vehicle Battery! Increased Battery Discharge). Check Control messages can be read out via the following path: Service function>Vehicle information>Check control messages.
2. Locate the circuit that is responsible for the increased closed circuit current. Refer to SI B61 08 00 for further troubleshooting hints.
3. Visually check for any hardwired connections to easily accessible points (battery, seat connector, rear seat entertainment stem, etc.)
4. Determine the distribution box that is responsible (front, rear, jump-start connection point, etc.). Once the distribution box has been located, determine the cause by removing fuses while monitoring the closed circuit current. Once the circuit has been identified, also check whether non BMW parts have been connected to the circuit.
5. If non BMW parts have been retrofitted, explain the possible effects on the vehicle electrical system to the customer (increased battery discharge, breakdown, failure of electrical systems, etc.)
WARRANTY INFORMATION
Warranty claims will be rejected in the case of any work that needs to be carried out on the vehicle as a result of non BMW approved equipment or installation.
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