2006 X3 Won't start

I've never posted on here before so I don't really know how this works, but I'm having issues with my 06 X3. The other day I tried to start the engine and it took a lot of effort to crank it up. When the engine caught, I just figured it was lethargic because of the cold weather or something and drove to work. On my drive I noticed that an orange 4x4 warning light had appeared on the dash. After work I tried to start my car and it wouldn't start at all.
I had it jumped which started it right up and went to Advance Auto to get the battery checked. They couldn't figure out if my battery was bad or not, but they told me to buy a new one (which I did) and it worked to get me home, but in the morning my car wouldn't start again. I just had the drive shaft and mass airflow sensor replaced and I'm seriously frustrated with this car. Help! I'm a 21 year old girl with no idea how to even begin to find out what's wrong. Friends are telling me it's the alternator, but when my old battery was charged less than 30% at AAP it was enough to start my car. We checked the voltage while it was running and it was at 14V. I'm confused!

Seems like something is draining the battery out, but it needs to be professionally diagnosed before you throw money at random parts. Look for a good Independent BMW shop near you.

BTW, not a good user name choice to ask for help in an X3 enthusiasts place! Made me think twice about replying.

Thanks for replying My dad used to work for an imports shop in town and they do favors for me all the time, but I just spent $5,000 on my car there in May and I really can't afford to spend another wad of cash like that. I'll suck it up and take it in tomorrow, though.

As for my offensive username: I love my X3, I'm just frustrated with it. Maybe it will make you feel better to know that I have an equality sticker like the one your post has on the left side window? lol maybe not. I probably pissed everyone off

Originally Posted by IhatemyX3

Maybe it will make you feel better to know that I have an equality sticker like the one your post has on the left side window?

Of course! lol

No worries, sorry for the hostile remark, we are a nice bunch here.

A little bit more info and history might help others chime in too, like what was done to it for $5000.00, how many miles, other issues, etc.

Hey if I dumped $5K into my old X3 I might have the same name up there! BTW what is an "equality sticker"?
Anyway back to reality -- a good BMW focused independent garage is the best way to get going on this one, especially if the dealer ripped you for the $5K! Good luck and let us know what all this finally turned out to be.

Sounds like something is draining your battery. The TCU (telephone control unit) is a known cause of this.

Originally Posted by UncleJ

BTW what is an "equality sticker"?

UJ,
The yellow = sign over the blue on my avatar is the HRC (Human Rights Campaign) flag. They fight for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender equal rights, and supporters and members like the OP and I, proudly show the "Equality sign" in our cars, etc. www.HRC.org

Thanks, I have seen a couple of these and always thought they were the "railroad tracks" of a military O-3 (Captain - USMC, Army/AF, Lieutenant (zur See) - Navy/CG). Now I know.