How to jump start a BMW Dead Battery
Updated 9 months ago
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Is the car battery in your BMW dead? In this guide, you will learn how to properly jump start a BMW battery. Common causes and symptoms of dead BMW battery. Including you can't start the car, unlock the doors or the trunk. Follow the instructions below to learn how to properly jump start a BMW.
You don't need to access the battery in the trunk to jump start a BMW. Read these instructions to learn how to properly jump start a BMW.
Symptoms of Dead BMW Battery
Common symptoms that you may experience if your BMW battery is dead.
- BMW won't start
- Can't unlock car
- Lights too dim (Check headlights)
- BMW turns over slowly
- Slow engine crank
- Dashboard Warning Lights on
- Can't start the car with Push Start button
- Engine cranks slowly then stops
- Click, Click, Click noise
- Electrical Issues
Warning
- Never jump start a BMW by connecting jumper cables to the battery located in the trunk. Always use the terminals in the engine compartment which are designed for jump starting a BMW. See instructions below.
What you will need
To jump start a BMW you can use jumper cables or a jump starter box.
- Jump Starting a BMW using Jumper Box
The safest way to jump start a BMW is to use lithium jump starter such as the NOCO GB40 1000 Amp jump starter. The NOCO GB40 provides 1000 cranking amps which is enough to jump start even a V8 BMW gasoline engine. Most importantly it provides backward connection warning and reverse polarity protection. Most jump starters don't provide any protection if you connect them backward which could end up costing you thousands of dollars in damage to electronic components. These ultra safe jump starters are designed to avoid just that. - Jump Starting a BMW using Jumper Cables
The second option to jump start a BMW is to use a car that's running and jumper cables. Since BMW typically have large engines and draw high current, it is recommended to use 4 Gauge Heavy Duty Jumper Cables which are thicker and allow more current. 6 gauge cables will work as well but they may get hot if you crank the engine for a long time.
Regardless of which method you use to start your BMW, always connect to the positive and negative terminals in the engine bay. Never connect to directly to the battery located in the trunk. Even when using jumper cables to jump a BMW with a dead battery.
Instructions on how to jump start a BMW
Follow these instructions to jump start a BMW. These instructions work on all BMW models including 1-series, 2-series, 3-series, 5-series, 6-series, 7-series, X1, X5, X6. It is important to follow the proper procedure to jump start a BMW. If you don't or jump start a BMW by connecting jumper cables to the battery located in the trunk you can cause electrical issues.
- Remove the metal blade from your BMW key fob.
- Use the metal key to manually unlock the driver's door.
- Pop the hood open by pulling the hood release under the dashboard.
- Release the hood safety latch at the front of the hood.
- Locate the terminals in the engine bay designed to jump start your BMW.
- Connect the red (positive) jumper cable to the positive terminal.
- Connect the black (negative) jumper cable to the negative battery terminal.
- Start the BMW. Watch the video on how to jump start a BMW.
How to get into the trunk, if you have a dead battery
Many BMW owners ask how do I get into the trunk if the BMW battery is dead.
Wait! Why are you trying to access the trunk? Are you trying to find this?
If your BMW battery is dead, your trunk won't open.
BMW engineers have made it difficult to get access to the trunk when the battery is dead. You don't want and shouldn't jump start a BMW directly from the battery. This is a common mistake many road side assistance technicians make. If you read on BMW forums you will find hundreds of cases where control modules were damaged by improperly jump starting a BMW. Costing car owners thousands of dollars in repair.
If you have a good reason to get in the trunk but the battery is dead this is what you should do.
- Manually unlock the car.
- Open the hood. Yes, open the hood first.
- Connect a 12-volt source at the positive and negative terminals under the hood.
- Now that your BMW is powered up, press the trunk unlock button on your key fob.
How to bring a BMW battery back to life
Is your BMW battery is completely dead? Replacing the battery on a BMW is expensive because not only do you need a new battery, but it also needs to be registered. The typical cost of BMW battery replacement range in the $400-$500. Before you spend hundreds on a new battery we recommended to use a 12 volt trickle battery charger to bring the battery back to life instead of jump starting the car and letting the alternator charge the battery.
By trickle charging a dead BMW battery, you have a better chance of bringing the battery back to life. Otherwise, your BMW may no longer hold a proper charge. Use the OEM BMW Battery Charger or even the cheaper Black+Decker BBM3B 12V Battery Charger Maintainer which works just as well. It will take at least 24 hours to bring a completely dead battery back to life. You are only providing 2 Amperes to the battery which is a slow charge but ensures no damage is caused to the battery cells.
Watch the video on how to charge a BMW Battery.
Don't leave the keys in the ignition as your BMW charges.
Back to topBMW Battery Keeps Dying
If your BMW keeps on dying or is not holding a proper charge it could be due to any of the following:
- Battery Age / Old Battery
- Corroded or Loose Battery Connections
- Parasitic Current Drains in the electrical system
How to replace a BMW battery
If your BMW is over 7 years old you are driving in borrowed time. Sooner or later you will need to replace the battery. Don't panic! You can replace a BMW battery yourself. Just make sure to perform battery registration procedure. Here is a list of articles that will help you replace a BMW battery.
- How to replace a BMW battery - DIY Guide
- How to register a BMW battery - DIY Guide
- Choosing the best battery for BMW cars - Resource
We hope that you found these instructions helpful. If you have any tips or advice that will contribute to this article, add it in the comments section below.
Back to topComments
this is extremely useful. my x5 35d battery has died because I parked the car for 6 months. Was about to jump start it but this has probably saved me a lot of money and frustration down the line. I just ordered many of the items you have mentioned here. thanks a lot
Thank you for sharing this post. My bmw car died in the middle of travelling. I did not get what the problem is so I found lot of difficulty at that time to jump start. But this article now helped to understand the reasons why bmw dies. So after reading this article I will take care of all the points which are mentioned in the article. This is really very helpful for all.
David 1 year 2 months ago
My BMW 530 died in the parking lot. The AAA guy was trying to get to the battery in the trunk. Thanks for helping me out with this article.