Increased Battery Discharge
 

Sorry for the long post...
Let me start by saying all of the corrective actions performed were due to input found within this forum. This is why I feel compelled to pass my experience on, in case it helps someone else.

Info: 2008 R55 Clubman S, 38k miles
BMW DIS (v57) SSS (v32) + TIS (v8) on order, should receive by next weekend.

History: recently purchased used, used as a daily driver… Just got the car back after being in the shop and they did not leave the key in the receiver.

On the second day back in the seat, I noticed the check engine symbol (top of the NAV –center display). After some research I now know that the error is "increased battery discharge" otherwise known as cc-id 415. Typical symptom is that the car forgets the time (zeroed out), trip-meter, and keyless access. Forum conclusion is that the car has something running that won't let it "sleep" while the key is away. Note, the key needs to be at least 15 ft away from the car for it to sleep (not my problem in this case).

Here is the list of actions I performed in my attempt to resolve the error (in order):
- battery reads 12.5V w/ no load, at idle the alternator produces 14.5V (good)
- BMW battery noted to not have the green dot in the viewer, it is showing black (not fully charged)
- check and re-secured the new xenon headlight plug (good)
- confirmed through BMW/Mini Service that the new xenon controller did not need to be programmed
- trickle charged battery overnight, set the clock and drove 20 miles each way with a 30 minute stop in the middle. During that time away from the car, it zeroed the time and keyless access memory.
- attached a battery tender for 24+ hours (until the tender indicated green charge level)
- removed battery from car and had it checked at Pep-Boys (18 minute charge/load test shows good)
- returned home and place battery on 30A charge for 2 hours
- replaced key-fob battery with new CR-2032 battery (suggestion from the forum)
- cleaned and re-secured engine to frame ground strap (on engine left, as viewed from front)
- reinstalled car battery, reset clock and confirmed all engine codes were OK using the tachometer diagnostics (headlight stem button – SETUP). I locked car with keyless door handle button.
- car was left alone until next morning (without trickle charge)
- tested access using the door handle and it remembered the key, clock had kept time (good)
- my error, thinking it was fixed, I reset the clock to the EXACT minute (not done the night before)
- 30 minutes later (headed to work), issue reoccurred… door handle button not working, clock zeroed
- drove car to work (20 minute highway trip), parked and will not touch until leaving for home.
- after 9 hrs, back to square one... still experiencing the fault "Increased Battery Discharge"

Diagnostics to be continued…

Update:
continue to look for cause of the battery discharge, in an effort to understand what was done. A local shop hooked it up to the computer and went through all the computer readouts and found the following:

- 2773, 2777 combustion misfire cylinder 1
- 2E4F No BSD msg from intelligent battery sensor
- 12175 (2F8F) undocumented code
- 12179 (2F93) undocumented code
- A0C1 terminal 50 output
- A0A8 control module fault

After collecting the codes, we reset (cleared) everything... battery discharge light was back on within minutes.

As of this morning, I finally have a chance to work on the car. My plan was to do the amperage testing (ground cable off, voltmeter hooked up in-line and start pulling fuses to see what is producing the drain).

With the battery setup prepared (meter showing 3+ amps drain), which I figured was the car not sleeping yet, I set the door latches to think they were closed. That's when I heard a sound, something was running inside the vehicle... turns out it was the NAV system starting and stopping, so I ejected the disk and put the radio faceplate back on.

Meter immediately went to all zeros. Researching possible NAV system faults next. Car clock has been reset and keyless locked the car... let's see if it remembers me in an hour or two.

TO BE CONTINUED.......

:popcorn:

Well, appears to not be the NAV... car didn't remember me upon return.

So I did the amperage check at the battery, and pulled/replaced each fuse one at a time (no real change). I was able to blow the fuse in my meter though... good deeds never go unpunished.

After all of this, the car is now in a state where the engine check is illuminated but if I run through the stem button, the check indicates all systems are OK (no faults). I buttoned everything back up and hit the keyless entry. Will see what tomorrow brings.

As stated early on, I have ordered a copy of the BMW Mini DIS/SSS/TIS/GT1 software which I'm still waiting for. Also ordered an Ultra-Gauge v1.2.

Would welcome any thoughts at this point... maybe I'm not standing on the right (I mean Left) foot.

Well, a lot can happen in a day...
- car recognized me the next morning, keyless entry worked, clock was fine.
- drove to work, no issues other than the Check Engine Light is still on.
- prior to turning the car off I checked the system "All Systems Good"
- Ultra-Gauge showed up at my office location (3rd business day - Nice).
- out to the parking lot to test and try to reset the CEL and the car had once again forgotten me (no keyless entry, clock reset)
- UG setup, found no fault codes and would not turn the CEL off (CRAP!)

One item to note: while the car was running (idle) the UG sounded an alarm that the charging voltage was at 15.2V (factory UG alarm set at 14.9v).

Question: would 15.2V push a CEL?

Theory: ok, let's say the battery charges to a higher than expected voltage. Then, when shut off, the battery normalizes back to 12.6 (ish). This might be seen by the sensors as being an oversized drop in voltage and result in a CEL event "increased battery discharge".... thoughts?

Plans: there is a great generator/battery service center near where I work, I know them from long ago and will probably schedule a visit this week. Unless someone has a better idea.

This maybe a silly question. But did you replace the battery with a new one? Then reset register the battery change with IBS?

Thanks for the reply.

Simple answer is no, the battery is 14 months old and tests as being good. I understand all the arguments of batteries going bad early but don't feel this is what's going on. I'm still suspicious of the fault code showing the battery sensor not responding (see my second entry above). Trust me, I've considered purchasing a new battery just to rule it out, as I think you're suggesting.

I have an appointment this afternoon at the battery specialists. Will post the results of that test later today.

Yeah I would suspect the IBS sensor as well! It maybe wise to replace it.

Anyone have a source for the IBS sensors?
Or, is this a Stealer only item...?

Don't know where the little booger is located either... I was thinking it was the little box attached to the ground strap at the battery(?).

Update:
Generator specialists confirmed battery drain due to short in system.
- battery is good
- altenator is good
- diodes are good

Speaking of a short in the system: Although it had a much simpler electrical system, my '65 Mustang developed a problem of discharging the battery if the car wasn't driven for about a day.

I usually backed into the driveway at home, but for some reason one day I just pulled in head first. Sometime after dark, I went outside for something and just happened to notice that the tail lights were glowing very faintly. I popped open the hood, unplugged the brake light switch, and the lights went out. It turned out that there was a voltage leak in the switch -- not a complete short, but just enough to drain the battery in 24 hours.

Most likely. My guess would be a wire or a particular harness either is chafed or pinched.

I would agree, and spent some time under the car last night and could not see anything noticeably out of place or damaged.

HA!! Too funny!

I am sure the dealer will be able to figure it out. I am sure this is a very frustrating experience!

Thanks for the support...

Even after all of this, Shorty is still more fun than any car I've owned so far (even my pampered P-car 911). For now, I'm committed to keeping it around.

Shorty is at the dealer as of this morning, now sporting a rental Ford Taurus for a couple days. Fingers crossed.

Service writer was nice enough to check all previous maintenance records and there appeared to be nothing that would lead me to believe the car had reoccuring problems. All were just standard service items.

Ready for this... Stealer called today to say they were putting a new battery in Shorty and would clear the codes to see what happens overnight. I'm fine with that approach other than the battery was already given a clean bill of health by two independent shops.

Oh, and add to that the cost of the battery and 1.5h installation charge = $615

I don't know if anyone is following this, but it continues...

I was informed the other day that the battery (being 13 months old), would be replaced under warranty "no charge" and they added that an extended warranty was in effect on my 2008 Clubman. I still have another 14 months of service. WOW!

Onto the issue. They replaced the battery and cleared the codes. Then waited until the next day to put it to the test. I was called mid morning and told that everything was fixed and it was determined to be a bad battery. Great, I'll be down there as soon as I can. Picked up the car at lunch, and while driving to a customer appointment I decided to flip through the service check... OOPS! "Increased Battery Discharge" all over again!

Called the dealer (this was 1:PM on a Friday) and as of today...(Saturday) the car is back at the dealer to be worked on first thing Monday. We'll see where this goes, but I'm now in a non-S 2013 Countryman. Sorry, but I don't care for it.

To be continued...

Hey, at least one member is following and is curious to see how this turns out!

Third day (second visit) to the dealer, still no news.

They did call to ask if I had plugged anything into the car (accessories) and I told them... only the MC iphone cable and after the ECL was already showing I had purchased and used an UltraGage in my attempt to diagnose the issue.

The wait continues...

Update from Dealer...

Dealer decided to replace the BDS (Battery Discharge Sensor) which some call the BDI (Indicator) on Thursday afternoon, and were going to test it all day Friday then let it sit and test it again Monday. Didn't hear the results of Friday's efforts but I'm hoping no news is good news.

If you remember, there were indications of that early on with no "BSD Message", and yes, strobeyprobey gets the award for recommending it first.

Again, IF this fixes the problem...
To be continued next week.

I am following this very curiously to see what cause shorty to be well..short..hehehee..

I hope you get your issue resolve, seems like a very tedious journey you embark upon yourself.

If this was me, i would probably be ballistic with the body shop that fix shorty. Geesh..how much you spend on the equipment and time..i would have put the burden on the body shop instead.

Good luck..hope to hear something good on monday.

It's Thursday morning and Shorty is coming home today...

I received the call last night that they feel confident the BDS ground cable was the issue and since last Friday, all tests have been successful with no fault codes being posted. What a journey...

At this point, I am closing this posting (unless the unthinkable happens and it codes within the next few days). Fingers crossed...:thumbsup:

Lesson: "no signal from the BDS sensor" = replace the BDS ground cable

congrats on the hopefully the final fix.

BDS Ground Cable Part Number?
 

I'm having the same problems as the OP (no accident, though). I'm considering replacing the BDS Ground cable, but I can't find it anywhere.

This is all that I can find
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Site...422/ES2679811/