1 Series warning lights

Hi All,

I'm having a couple of warning lights come up on the 1M's dash and wanted some help. Sorry for posting here but i thought we all share the same warning lights and this forum would get more hits.

The car is only a year old, mainly garaged and used once a week or so for the odd long journey or a 50 mile round trip.

The first warning light is a battery symbol. Now, the car has a tracker. Could this be draining the battery? especially as it isnt used all that much?

The second symbol is slightly more worrying, its a car on what appears to be a mechanics ramp (see attached pic) ....any ideas? The first thing that came to mind was get it to a dealer!
Just been reading a few other forums and it seems that it could be a bad battery. The car has been sat for 6 months without any use while I was out the country so that could be why. Doh!

Thanks for your help

Originally Posted by 1series

Hi All,

I'm having a couple of warning lights come up on the 1M's dash and wanted some help. Sorry for posting here but i thought we all share the same warning lights and this forum would get more hits.

The car is only a year old, mainly garaged and used once a week or so for the odd long journey or a 50 mile round trip.

The first warning light is a battery symbol. Now, the car has a tracker. Could this be draining the battery? especially as it isnt used all that much?

The second symbol is slightly more worrying, its a car on what appears to be a mechanics ramp (see attached pic) ....any ideas? The first thing that came to mind was get it to a dealer!
Just been reading a few other forums and it seems that it could be a bad battery. The car has been sat for 6 months without any use while I was out the country so that could be why. Doh!

Thanks for your help

Your synopsis of a bad battery is likely correct, based on your usage patterns. The "service now" alert is likely connected, misfire or or other codes code have been set due to a low voltage start condition. You may be able to rejuvenate the battery with a good battery tender (such as from CTEC or Bosch). It is best if you can leave the car pligged in to a battery tender when it is not being used.

Thanks, im about to buy a good trickle charger and conditioner. A couple of questions:

1. Would you still take it into BMW and get a new battery installed given its history
2. Can you plug the trickle charger on and leave the car locked?

Thanks

Originally Posted by 1series

Thanks, im about to buy a good trickle charger and conditioner. A couple of questions:

1. Would you still take it into BMW and get a new battery installed given its history
2. Can you plug the trickle charger on and leave the car locked?

Thanks

You don't have to fit a BMW battery, an equivalent is fine, but on the 1M you are advised to register the battery so that it charges correctly, this process requires a suitable tool that a BMW specialist or dealer has. I have the Bavarian Technics tool that can also do this, amongst many other things, but it cost $287. If the new battery is not exactly the same as the original in terms of capacity and cranking amps, then coding is also required.

To put in the battery properly, a BMW specialist or the dealer is your best bet, as most garages won't be able to complete the full process.

I put our 135i on a Bosch C3 charger hanging from a rope on a hook in the ceiling of the garage, so that it is In front of the windscreen (so we don't drive off with it connected). I feed the cables under the back edge of the bonnet by the wipers and connect to the engine compartment charging points. the bonnet is closed and doors locked while it is on the charger.

Is the battery dead and car does not start?

the car does start but is constantly telling me there is a problem with the battery