06-26-2012, 08:49 AM | #1 |
Solving problems
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Pretty sure the MCS needs new battery.
A quick Northamericanmotoring search yields dealer prices of ~$300 vs. ~$100 from car parts stores. But it also mentions something about the dealer having to reset the car's computer so that it knows it has a new battery as it can affect power mangement or something like that. Others say they did a simple swap with no issues.
Anyone know anything about this? Battery can barely hold a charge after a long drive so we are not using it right now. Mini dealership is annoyingly far, even if I could get past the steep price (which I can't right now). I'd have to see hard evidence of damage from aftermarket batteries before I drive that far and fork that kind of dough for a battery. |
06-26-2012, 09:00 AM | #2 |
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If I owned a car that was designed such that the battery had to be replaced by the dealership to the tune of $300, or it would fail to operate correctly, I'd drive the car through the front window of their headquarters, throw the keys on the president's desk, and walk away forever. That being said, I have a hard time believing that even BMW would stoop to that level. Take it to an auto parts store and see what they say.
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06-26-2012, 09:01 AM | #3 | |
195
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Quote:
I am not an EE, but the whole thing doesn't make sense to me. Batteries wear and die at different rates depending on conditions. Why would you design a system that charged a battery differently based solely on time? Is there a concept here that I'm missing? |
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06-26-2012, 09:01 AM | #4 |
lawn boy
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"Battery can barely hold a charge after a long drive" sounds more like an alternator than a battery.
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06-26-2012, 10:09 AM | #5 | |
Solving problems
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Quote:
Regardless, the battery is pushing 5 years, so if not now, it will be due very soon. Might as well start there and see what happens. |
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06-26-2012, 10:13 AM | #6 | |
Solving problems
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Quote:
I suppose a system could be designed where it keeps track of temperatures at starts, charge rates, alternator demand, etc, but that would be way to complex and expensive versus the decades old system for such a small benefit (if any). It's just a bettery and it will eventually die anyway. |
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06-26-2012, 10:37 AM | #7 |
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It's easy enough to check the alternator, but I'd just replace the battery.
Be sure you disconnect the battery before replacing the battery. You know, so the ECU resets. |
06-26-2012, 10:48 AM | #8 | |
older fart than ZBB
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Quote:
FC, Simple Ohms law. If you are having problems starting when jumping, something else is wrong. I needed batteries (4 of them!) on the Volvo 9 months before I replaced them. I used to jump start that 14.9 liter diesel with my Malibu. I would just hook up the car, and start the diesel motor, no charge time, no revving, just hook up and start. Something might be wrong with your starter cable, ground cable, or other connections if you are having trouble starting it with another vehicle. O'Reilly, NAPA, Autozone or who ever will test your battery for you for free.
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06-26-2012, 10:53 AM | #9 |
No more BMWs
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I was inspired by the shop manual for my Triumph which in the "battery removal" section has a preface to "always disconnect the battery before making any electrical repairs." Duh.
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06-26-2012, 10:58 AM | #10 |
older fart than ZBB
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holy shit, I know exactly what you are talking about. Triumph had that in my GT6+ manual
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