Is it time for a new battery? BMW 116i Series1 F20 7 years old.

motorguy

Goudy said:

motorguy said:

It will need registered / coded in to the car though.

https://www.autoscopecarcare.com/car-tips/bmw-battery-replacement-why-register-new-bmw-battery/

• Registering - This is a simple procedure that is always required. It simply tells the vehicle the battery has been replaced with a new battery that has identical (or very close) specifications to the battery that was just removed. Most full system BMW scanners can complete this procedure. Skipping this step can shorten the life of the new battery. 
• Coding - This is a required step if you install a new battery that has specifications that are very different than the battery you are replacing. If you install a new battery with significantly different Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) or Ah or battery type (Pb or AGM), then you need to complete coding. Very few scanners can complete this procedure. We strongly recommend that you look at the old battery and try to find a replacement battery with similar specs. CCA, Ah should not vary by more than 5% if you want to skip coding. The 5% value is based on our testing and experience.  Also do not change battery type. If the old battery is AGM, find the same type of battery. 

I thought this might be the case after I wrote my reply.

Seems a few manufacturers fit Intelligent Battery Sensors (IBS) to their charging systems these days so the charging system can adapt the charge rate to the condtion of the battery which may save fuel and lower emissions.

Though they should really be call it an Unintelligent Battery Sensor if you need to tell the ECU software what the sensor is meant to do, that the condtion of the battery has changed?

Seems odd it can monitior battery and alter the charge rate all by itself until you have to put your hand in your pocket and replace the battery, then it doesn't work and you have to reach deeper.

Yes, its a bit odd but does seem to be highly recommended to do.

Most battery suppliers seem able to do it these days, as would most garages i'd have thought, so just a matter of looping in with one of them.

motorguy

Belenus said:

When we got home I put the battery on charge using my very old 4 amp trickle charger. It started off with a reading of 3.5 amps which dropped to about 1.5 amps after about five hours. The car started normally this morning.

I'd recommend upgrading your trickle charger also.

You should get decades out of one, so might we worth getting and having.

The CTEK ones come highly recommended, though there are cheaper alternatives about.

This is normally around £58 ish, has dropped below £50 before now, but is quite high priced on Amazon at the minute.  

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00FC42HAA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Ibrahim5

I don't care whether a car has an Audi,BMW or Mercedes badge. I don't care what the 0 to 60 time is. I don't care if it's 1,3,5,10,15 years old. I do want it to WORK. When I get in it I want to be able to start the engine. Car battery warranties last 3,4,5 years. If you have a 7 year old battery showing signs of failure GET A NEW ONE. Get a quality one and then forget about it for the next 5 years. Plan the replacement rather than paying a fortune to the RAC man.

Belenus

shiraz99 said:

TBH, during covid even I had battery warnings on my F20 as it was rarely being used, but since using more often and occasionally charging it fully I've not had any issues. What type of charger are you using, does it have an AGM battery setting and are you charging the battery correctly, ie using the charging posts under the bonnet rather than connecting directly to the battery in the boot?

It is a very old and simple charger, possibly 40 years old or more. It long predates AGM technology.

It has no variable settings just a dial indicating the amps being drawn.

Yes, I did use the charging posts under the bonnet.

I probably won't buy a new one as it does the job of charging a battery and I have only had to use it twice in decades.

I will just buy a new high quality battery and trust that I will get another 7 years use out of it.

Grumpy_chap

Ibrahim5 said:

 Plan the replacement rather than paying a fortune to the RAC man.

If you plan, you can take RAC Battery Protect just for the year you will need the new battery - very MSE.

shiraz99

Belenus said:

shiraz99 said:

TBH, during covid even I had battery warnings on my F20 as it was rarely being used, but since using more often and occasionally charging it fully I've not had any issues. What type of charger are you using, does it have an AGM battery setting and are you charging the battery correctly, ie using the charging posts under the bonnet rather than connecting directly to the battery in the boot?

It is a very old and simple charger, possibly 40 years old or more. It long predates AGM technology.

It has no variable settings just a dial indicating the amps being drawn.

Yes, I did use the charging posts under the bonnet.

I probably won't buy a new one as it does the job of charging a battery and I have only had to use it twice in decades.

I will just buy a new high quality battery and trust that I will get another 7 years use out of it.

It'll cheaper to buy a decent charger as it's unlikely that the battery really is on it's way out.

However if really want a new battery want to save some money installing it yourself, then get a replacement battery online, buy this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Veepeak-Bluetooth-Diagnostic-Supports-Vehicles/dp/B076XVQMVS/ref=sr_1_5 and download both Bimmerlink and Bimmercode apps for around £25 each. Depending on what you can source the battery for may work out cheaper than getting one fitted at a garage.

motorguy

shiraz99 said:

Belenus said:

shiraz99 said:

TBH, during covid even I had battery warnings on my F20 as it was rarely being used, but since using more often and occasionally charging it fully I've not had any issues. What type of charger are you using, does it have an AGM battery setting and are you charging the battery correctly, ie using the charging posts under the bonnet rather than connecting directly to the battery in the boot?

It is a very old and simple charger, possibly 40 years old or more. It long predates AGM technology.

It has no variable settings just a dial indicating the amps being drawn.

Yes, I did use the charging posts under the bonnet.

I probably won't buy a new one as it does the job of charging a battery and I have only had to use it twice in decades.

I will just buy a new high quality battery and trust that I will get another 7 years use out of it.

It'll cheaper to buy a decent charger as it's unlikely that the battery really is on it's way out.

However if really want a new battery want to save some money installing it yourself, then get a replacement battery online, buy this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Veepeak-Bluetooth-Diagnostic-Supports-Vehicles/dp/B076XVQMVS/ref=sr_1_5 and download both Bimmerlink and Bimmercode apps for around £25 each. Depending on what you can source the battery for may work out cheaper than getting one fitted at a garage.

I'd disagree with all of that frankly.

The battery is almost certainly on its way out, given the prolonged symptoms the O/P has told us about and posted about.

Other than to have a charger for potentially future use, i wouldnt bother buying a charger to try to "save" that battery.

I'm really not sure on the point of spending £40 + £25 + £25 then figure out how to do it to "save money" by installing a battery yourself, given any indy / fitter would do it for a fraction of that, irrespective of where its sourced.

Ibrahim5

The £40 + £25 +£25 is an investment. It's the sort of money a garage charges you to 'put it on the computer' but it means you have the kit to 'put it on the computer' yourself at any time. Could save an absolute fortune in future.

shiraz99

motorguy said:

shiraz99 said:

Belenus said:

shiraz99 said:

TBH, during covid even I had battery warnings on my F20 as it was rarely being used, but since using more often and occasionally charging it fully I've not had any issues. What type of charger are you using, does it have an AGM battery setting and are you charging the battery correctly, ie using the charging posts under the bonnet rather than connecting directly to the battery in the boot?

It is a very old and simple charger, possibly 40 years old or more. It long predates AGM technology.

It has no variable settings just a dial indicating the amps being drawn.

Yes, I did use the charging posts under the bonnet.

I probably won't buy a new one as it does the job of charging a battery and I have only had to use it twice in decades.

I will just buy a new high quality battery and trust that I will get another 7 years use out of it.

It'll cheaper to buy a decent charger as it's unlikely that the battery really is on it's way out.

However if really want a new battery want to save some money installing it yourself, then get a replacement battery online, buy this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Veepeak-Bluetooth-Diagnostic-Supports-Vehicles/dp/B076XVQMVS/ref=sr_1_5 and download both Bimmerlink and Bimmercode apps for around £25 each. Depending on what you can source the battery for may work out cheaper than getting one fitted at a garage.

I'd disagree with all of that frankly.

The battery is almost certainly on its way out, given the prolonged symptoms the O/P has told us about and posted about.

Other than to have a charger for potentially future use, i wouldnt bother buying a charger to try to "save" that battery.

I'm really not sure on the point of spending £40 + £25 + £25 then figure out how to do it to "save money" by installing a battery yourself, given any indy / fitter would do it for a fraction of that, irrespective of where its sourced.

When I looked around for a replacement AGM battery myself last year the cheapest I could get one fitted with the necessary coding etc was Halfords and that was still about £50 more expensive than buying the battery myself and all the kit I mentioned.

GrumpyDil

shiraz99 said:

motorguy said:

shiraz99 said:

Belenus said:

shiraz99 said:

TBH, during covid even I had battery warnings on my F20 as it was rarely being used, but since using more often and occasionally charging it fully I've not had any issues. What type of charger are you using, does it have an AGM battery setting and are you charging the battery correctly, ie using the charging posts under the bonnet rather than connecting directly to the battery in the boot?

It is a very old and simple charger, possibly 40 years old or more. It long predates AGM technology.

It has no variable settings just a dial indicating the amps being drawn.

Yes, I did use the charging posts under the bonnet.

I probably won't buy a new one as it does the job of charging a battery and I have only had to use it twice in decades.

I will just buy a new high quality battery and trust that I will get another 7 years use out of it.

It'll cheaper to buy a decent charger as it's unlikely that the battery really is on it's way out.

However if really want a new battery want to save some money installing it yourself, then get a replacement battery online, buy this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Veepeak-Bluetooth-Diagnostic-Supports-Vehicles/dp/B076XVQMVS/ref=sr_1_5 and download both Bimmerlink and Bimmercode apps for around £25 each. Depending on what you can source the battery for may work out cheaper than getting one fitted at a garage.

I'd disagree with all of that frankly.

The battery is almost certainly on its way out, given the prolonged symptoms the O/P has told us about and posted about.

Other than to have a charger for potentially future use, i wouldnt bother buying a charger to try to "save" that battery.

I'm really not sure on the point of spending £40 + £25 + £25 then figure out how to do it to "save money" by installing a battery yourself, given any indy / fitter would do it for a fraction of that, irrespective of where its sourced.

When I looked around for a replacement AGM battery myself last year the cheapest I could get one fitted with the necessary coding etc was Halfords and that was still about £50 more expensive than buying the battery myself and all the kit I mentioned.

Did you ask any garages how much they would charge purely for the reset as I would have expected that to be less than the cost of the dingle and apps and for someone who may never use the app again a better option.