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BMW "Increased battery discharge" and battery warnings
Something kept the car awake or the battery is weak. Usually drivable; the risk is a no-start.
Last updated
At a glance
| Can I keep driving? | Usually yes; "Battery not charged" means get to a shop now |
|---|---|
| Warning color | Yellow; "not charged" while driving is urgent |
| Wording you may see | Increased battery discharge! Battery discharging while stopped / Discharge in standstill Increased battery drain Battery charge very low! Battery not charged! (alternator) Battery! Check (battery aged) |
| Usual causes | Aftermarket accessories wired to constant power Software in a module keeps the car awake or misreads the battery Aged or failing battery Alternator or charging fault |
What it means
BMW's intelligent battery sensor (IBS) and power management watch how much current the car draws after you lock it. If it stays high, you get "Increased battery discharge". BMW's E90 text: "High rate of battery discharge with engine stationary. It may not be possible to restart engine. Switch off unnecessary electric loads." A BMW bulletin for E-series cars gives the threshold: more than 80 mA still being drawn 70 minutes after switching off. Other messages warn of a low charge, an aged battery, or the alternator not charging.
Can I keep driving?
Usually yes; "Battery not charged" means get to a shop now. The car normally drives fine. The risk is that it won't restart, so avoid short trips with everything switched on and get it checked. If "Battery not charged!" appears while driving, the alternator isn't charging: switch off unneeded loads and drive straight to help, because the car will run only until the battery is flat.
This is general guidance. Your owner's manual has the exact instruction for your car, and any red warning means stop as soon as it is safe.
Usual causes
| Cause | Cars most affected | What you notice | BMW bulletins | Repair prices (national average) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aftermarket accessories wired to constant power | E90, E60, E63, E70 and others | Dash cams, trackers and audio wired to an always-live circuit keep the car from sleeping. (source) | — | — |
| Software in a module keeps the car awake or misreads the battery | F01, F02, F07, F10, F12, F13, F25 to 4/2013 (battery sensor); F22–F36 and M2/M3/M4 with Comfort Access after 6/2017 (front module); many 2015+ models (controller delays sleep) | The message appears with a healthy battery. BMW fixes are programming, not parts. | SI B61 22 13 (PDF) SI B61 36 17 (PDF) SI B61 05 20 (PDF) | — |
| Aged or failing battery | All; N63 F-series 2009–2013 have a bulletin calling for battery replacement | "Battery! Check" or repeated low-charge messages. BMW's procedures say to register a new battery with the diagnostic system after fitting it. | SI B61 03 13 (PDF) | Battery replacement and registration Indie owners paid $541–$663 Dealer owners paid $713–$850 |
| Alternator or charging fault | All | "Battery not charged!" while driving. | — | — |
Bulletins are BMW service information filed with NHTSA; open one for the exact models, build dates and repair. A bulletin isn't a recall and doesn't mean your car has the problem. Estimates are national averages built from BMW warranty labor time, regional shop rates and parts prices; open a repair for your ZIP. "Owners paid" is the middle half of sourced prices, shown where we have at least 3.
What to do
- Unplug or remove any added accessories and see if the message stops.
- Charge the battery fully with a proper charger, then have a battery test and an energy diagnosis done.
- If the battery is replaced, make sure it is registered (and coded if the size or type changes).
Fault codes often stored with it
Other BMW bulletins that mention it
- SI B61 17 22 Battery discharge message displayed, and “ambient lighting” cannot be adjusted F44 · Sep 2022
- SI B65 25 16 Usb cable: battery discharge/audio failure/radio reception E46, E60, E70, E71, E72 and others · Oct 2016
- SI B61 39 14 12V Battery Discharge Message (CCM 794) After Charging I01 · Jan 2015
- SI B61 05 12 Battery Discharged Because of Unfavorable Driving Profile E70, E71, E72, E53 · Mar 2013
- SI B65 20 12 RAD2plus: Radio Causes Battery Drain E82, E88, E89, E90, E92 and others · Jan 2013
- SI B61 13 05 Discharged Battery: Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed E46, E60, E61, E63, E64 and others · Oct 2012
- SI B01 29 18 N63 engine vehicles: class action settlement for engine oilconsumption/batter E60, E70, E71, E72, E82 and others · Oct 2019
- SI B01 21 18 N63: oil consumption class action settlement diagnosis/repairs (version 13.0) E60, E70, E71, E72, E82 and others · Jun 2021
23 of the BMW bulletins we hold mention this warning in their text; these are the closest matches.
Related warnings
Adaptive headlight malfunction Service due light All warning lights
Sources
- BMW E90 Driver Information Systems (BMW technical training manual): Check Control message list
- BMW USA: digital owner's manual for your VIN
- BMW SI B61 01 08: "Increased battery discharge while stationary" (copy hosted on xoutpost.com)
- NHTSA: BMW technical service bulletins and recalls by VIN
Message wording in quotes is BMW's own, from the Check Control list in BMW's E90 training manual or from the bulletins linked above; newer cars word some messages differently. The explanations are ours.