BMW Increased Battery Discharge Explained

The DME (Digital Motor Electronics) system in a BMW vehicle has detected a decrease in the voltage of the auxiliary battery. The vehicle has taken action to preserve the battery by shutting off certain electronics to prevent it from discharging too rapidly. “Increased battery discharge while stationary,” indicates that the battery voltage is low, and the cause could be an old or weak battery or a battery that is not charged enough. This could be caused by a malfunction in the charging system or by leaving the vehicle in a low charge for an extended period. It’s important to check the battery’s state of charge and age and to ensure that the charging system is functioning correctly to prevent further issues. Also, use the YOUCANIC full system scanner to diagnose all systems on your BMW.

Certain BMW vehicles with gasoline or diesel engines may have a secondary battery, sometimes referred to as an auxiliary battery, which is used to power certain systems such as infotainment or navigation. In such cases, the Increased Battery Discharge feature may allow the driver to discharge this auxiliary battery at a higher rate than normal, such as providing power to accessories when the vehicle’s main engine is turned off.

Remove the phone charger from the cigarette outlet, turn off unnecessary accessories such as the seat heaters sound system, defrost and keep the engine running until the message disappears.

It may take five to thirty minutes for the battery to charge and the message to reset. This warning usually appears when you start your BMW in the morning, especially during freezing weather, but you may also get it when you stop at a red light.

The message ‘Increased battery discharge while stationary’ indicates that the vehicle’s DME (Digital Motor Electronics) system has detected a decrease in the voltage of the auxiliary battery and has taken action to preserve the battery by shutting off certain non-essential electrical systems, such as power windows, mirrors, seats, sunroof, etc. This is a normal function of the vehicle’s power management system and is designed to charge the main battery quickly.

Normal operation of these systems should return once the increased battery discharge is resolved. It is important to verify that the auxiliary battery is in good condition and holds a proper charge to resolve the issue. If the problem persists or you recently had your BMW battery replaced, ensure that the battery has been properly registered with the vehicle’s system.

The next step in troubleshooting this problem is to perform a charging system test. For this test, you will need a battery analyzer. Your local auto parts store may also perform this test free of charge. If you leave your BMW parked for an extended time or have a parasitic drain, connect a 12-volt battery smart trickle charger at the jump terminals in the engine bay to keep the battery fully charged.

Symptoms

• Increased Battery Discharge error message
• BMW may not start
• Flickering Instrument Cluster
• Electrical Malfunctions
• The car may shut off while driving or at idle.
• A warning goes away once you start the car.
• Charge battery warning
• Service vehicle icon on the dashboard. Vehicle on a lift.
• Increased battery discharge when stopped
• Electronic consumers turned off.

Error Messages

The error message may vary between BMW models. Here are some symptoms of the most common errors:

• Battery Discharging while stopped. Turn off unnecessary electrical consumers. Reset the date and time if required. In case of a repeat occurrence, have the system checked by a mechanic.
• Increased battery discharge when stationary. The electrical consumer was temporarily switched off.
• Battery discharging while stopped. Electrical devices were temporarily switched off.
• The vehicle battery charge is low. Charge by driving for longer periods or using an external charger. Features that consume the battery will be switched off.
• Increased battery discharge when stationary. Electrical consumers were temporarily switched off.

Possible Causes

Several issues can cause increased battery discharge, some of the most common being an old battery, defective IBS sensor, or poor ground connection.

• The battery is over 5 yr old. Not holding a charge.
• High electrical demand by a module
• Loose battery contact or ground
• IBS sensor defective
• Electronic devices are plugged into the 12-volt outlet.
• Junction Box defective
• Defective DME / DDE
• Faulty EDC module in trunk draws excessive current.
• Defective CA (Comfort Access) module
• The scanner is plugged into the OBD2 port.

Troubleshooting

1. Check the battery: Verify that the main and auxiliary batteries are in good condition and hold a proper charge. If the battery is old or weak, it may need to be replaced.
2. Check the charging system: Make sure the charging system is working properly. If there is a problem with the alternator or any other component of the charging system, it may not be able to charge the battery properly.
3. Check for parasitic loads: Some aftermarket devices or accessories may continue to draw power from the battery even when the vehicle is turned off, causing increased battery discharge. Disconnecting or uninstalling these devices may help resolve the issue.
4. Check software version: Ensure that the vehicle software is up to date, as a software update may resolve any known issues with battery discharge.
5. Check for any error codes: Use a diagnostic scanner for any error codes related to the battery or charging system. These codes may provide further information on the cause of the increased battery discharge.
6. Check the battery registration: Ensure that the battery has been properly registered with the vehicle’s system after replacement; this will help the vehicle system to adjust the charging and discharging parameters of the battery.
7. Consider taking the vehicle to a professional: If the above steps cannot resolve the problem, it may be best to take the vehicle to a professional technician for further diagnosis and repair.

Stock BMW batteries typically last around four to six years. If your battery doesn’t hold a charge, you can get the increased battery discharge warning at startup or while driving. If the battery is failing, you typically get several warnings.

Look at the low beam lights or the running lights (engine must be off, ignition on), and determine if they look dim. If they are slightly dim or the car struggles to start, the battery may be the culprit. It is not uncommon for a BMW battery to fail even for two years due to a bad cell.

Other possibilities include the battery getting drained overnight or not getting charged properly. If your BMW keeps dying when parked, make sure that the smart key is not too close to the car.

For example, if the car is parked in the garage and the key is too close, it keeps the system awake. The car will start fine early, but your BMW may struggle to start over time. If your battery is over seven years old, it is a wise investment to change it.

Follow our guide to learn how to replace the BMW battery and perform battery coding if you need help.

IBS Sensor

A faulty IBS sensor could be the culprit. IBS sensor is installed on the negative battery terminal. When it fails, it drains the battery when the vehicle is parked. To check if the IBS sensor is the culprit, check for a parasitic current draw with a digital multimeter.

Battery Connection

A poor battery cable connection can also cause an “increased battery discharge” warning message. Check the battery terminals to ensure they are not loose, especially if you get this error message after replacing the battery.

If the battery terminals are not loose, remove them and clean them using a battery terminal brush. Corroded terminals can trigger the increased battery discharge error message. Check and clean the IBS sensor cable connected to the negative battery cable. Related possible issues include a defective alternator failing to charge the battery properly.

Short Trips

If your BMW is mainly parked or you use your BMW for short trips, you will not give your battery time to get charged.

If that is the case, you may want to connect a 12-volt smart trickle charger overnight to the battery or take your car on longer trips (at least 30 min drives) once a week. You don’t need to drive on the highway to allow the battery to charge; city driving works.

Keep electronic consumption to a minimum, such as the stereo or heated seats. Keep the day running lights off. This will allow the battery to charge faster.

EDC Module

EDC module can also draw excessive current. To verify, disconnect the EDC module, which fails and triggers an Increased Battery Usage warning. The EDC module is located in the trunk. You should still drive your BMW but can not change the stiffness mode if you disconnect the EDC module.

Cigarette Outlet

An electronic device or a high-power charger plugged into the cigarette outlet may drain enough power to trigger this error message. Ensure you unplug any phone chargers or GPS units from the 12-volt cigarette outlet. Don’t forget to check the rear outlet if you have one.

Cold Weather

During cold temperatures, battery performance drops. On top of that, you are more likely to turn on several consumers, such as heated seats, defrost, wipers, etc. If you have an old car battery on your BMW, there is a high chance you will get an increased high battery discharge error.

How do you fix Increased Battery Discharge?

First, ensure you don’t have devices plugged into the 12-volt outlets. For example, unplug all phone chargers, GPS charging cables, or any other device. Next, check the age of the battery and replace it if it is older than five years. If the battery was recently replaced or is relatively new, make sure the BMW battery is coded properly.

Fully charge the battery by using a charger or driving your BMW for at least 30 minutes. If the error message comes up again, it is time to perform further troubleshooting. The second test you can perform is to measure the battery voltage. Ideally, you want to use a car battery analyzer, but you can use a digital multimeter.

1. Connect the multimeter to the battery-positive terminal under the hood while the engine is off.
2. The battery needs to provide at least 12 volts.
3. Turn on the ignition, and the battery voltage should remain over 12 volts.
4. Start the car and recheck the voltage. It should be between 13 and 14.5 volts.
5. If the battery doesn’t maintain over 12 volts, it may need to be replaced or a charging system problem.
6. If the battery tests well, the next step is to read the DME module’s codes and perform a full system scan.

Reading fault codes is a simple procedure that you can perform yourself but requires a good BMW All System Scanner. Pay attention to other modules that may have stored fault codes. It is possible that another module is malfunctioning and drawing too much current from the battery. For example, the stock amplifier could be drawing too much current.

Another thing to check is to verify that your BMW goes to sleep once it is parked. Once the BMW is parked and turned off, most systems stay powered for another five to twenty minutes. Then most systems will go to “sleep” or turn off. If one of the systems never turns off, it can slowly drain the battery.

Frequently Asked Questions

We hope you find the BMW Increased Battery Discharge guide helpful. Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your BMW.