5 Methods to Complete BMW Battery Registration

This guide will provide step-by-step instructions and video tutorials on BMW battery registration. Registering a BMW battery is important because it ensures that the vehicle’s onboard computer, known as the DME (Digital Motor Electronics), recognizes the new battery and adjusts the charging system accordingly. It must be completed after you replace a BMW battery. Battery registration helps prolong the new battery’s life and ensures it functions properly within the vehicle’s electrical system. Additionally, if the battery is not registered, it may cause issues such as false warning messages on iDrive or even prevent the vehicle from starting in rare cases. It is highly recommended that you register your BMW battery as soon as it is installed, and in this article, you will learn how to register a BMW battery yourself.

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We strongly recommend that the replacement battery matches the specifications of the battery already installed on the vehicle. Try to match the Ah, CCA, and CA ratings.   You will need a BMW Scanner to register a BMW and follow the procedure below to program the new battery. All the 2002 and newer BMW models are equipped with what is called  Intelligent Battery Sensors, or IBS, and require battery registration. Generic OBD-II scanners can not register or program a new BMW battery. This is one of the main reasons why stores such as AutoZone will not replace the battery on a BMW. Replacing the battery on a BMW is very easy. For more help, watch the video below on how to replace a BMW battery yourself.

Method 1: Register a BMW Battery with YOUCANIC Scanner – EASY

The following procedure will allow you to program and reset the BMW computer after changing the battery.  These instructions will help you register a BMW battery on 2002 or newer models, including 1, 3, 5, 6, X1, X3, X5 series, etc.

A battery with identical specs to the old one needs to be registered. If the battery installed is different than the old battery being replaced, you will need to complete coding. 

1. Replace the battery in your BMW. If you need help with this step, see our guide on how to replace a BMW battery.  Find a new battery that matches the old battery. The ratings (CCA, CA, Ah) should be identical or as close as possible to the original.

   

2. Locate the onboard diagnostic port under the dashboard near your brake pedal. The OBD-2 port on BMW cars has a small door you will need to open. You may also find a cover on the port that you need to pull out. Plug your BMW scan tool of choice into this port. Remember, generic OBD2 scanners cannot perform the necessary BMW battery registration.

   

3. Turn Ignition On. Turn the key to option II. If you have a Push Start button, press it twice. Don’t press the brake pedal when pressing the start button. All the dashboard lights should turn on. The engine shouldn’t be running. You can’t perform the BMW battery registration procedure if the engine is running.

   

4. Next, select your BMW model, then select the Control Unit.
5. Select the Power Supply module.
6. Select Register a new BMW battery.
7. Press OK, and the new battery is registered. The following section shows you how to use specific scanners to register the battery.

You will need a Multi-System Scanner that can register the battery, such as the YOUCANIC Full System Scanner that can register the battery and read every fault code on your BMW vehicle. These steps will enable users to register a new battery with the same desired specs successfully. These steps will not code a new battery with different specs.

Method 2: Register a New Battery for BMW using Rheingold (ISTA-D)

Let’s walk through registering and coding a new battery for your BMW using the Rheingold (ISTA-D) software. The virtual machine comes pre-loaded with this dealer-level software and an ICOM emulator; you only need a K+DCAN cable. Rheingold is a powerful tool that can diagnose issues with your vehicle, provide a corrective action plan, and guide you through re-programming using ISTA-P.

1. Turn the ignition to the “on” position and verify communication with INPA.
2. Load Rheingold.
3. Click on the “Identification” tab.
4. Go to the “Read out” tab and click “start” to gather vehicle information.
5. Verify your vehicle’s VIN and then navigate to “Vehicle management.”
6. Go to Service function>Body>Voltage Supply>Battery>Register.
7. Click “start search” and select “ABL register battery replacement.”
8. Rheingold will guide you through your options, including registering a like-for-like battery or changing the battery capacity. You will also be prompted to perform coding using ISTA-P.

Method 3: Use Ediabas Toolset32, Part of the BMW tools Suite

1. Launch Tool32.exe
2. Navigate to: File > Load SGB > C:/EDIABAS/ECU/[choose the appropriate .prg file for your DME as per appendix A]
3. Find “steuern_batterietausch_registri” in the list of jobs
4. Go to the Jobs menu.
5. Choose “Run Job” (in German, it’s “Job Einmal Ausfuhren [run job once]”)
6. Ensure the operation reports “Okay.”

Method 4: Register BMW Battery with NCSEXPERT

1. Launch NCSEXPERT.exe
2. Choose: File > Load profile > Select a profile that allows manipulation (you may need to create one, refer to online resources) > Click OK
3. Press F1 (VIN/ZCS/FA)
4. Press F3 (CS/FA f. EC) > Select E89 (chassis family for E9x and E8x vehicles) > Click OK > Select CAS > Click OK
5. Press F6 (Back)
6. Press F1 (VIN/ZCS/FA)
7. Press F2 (Enter FA) > Select E89 > Click OK
8. A window labeled “Enter VIN” will appear > check that the VIN is correct > Click OK.
9. A window labeled “Enter FA” will appear > locate VO for old battery (e.g. -B090) > highlight –B090 and press delete
10. Enter the new battery type, –A080 (per Appendix B), in the “Attribute” box > Click Add > Click OK.
11. Press F6 (Back)
12. Press F4 (Process ECU) > Select CAS > Click OK
13. Press F2 (Change Job) > Select FA Write > Click OK
14. Press F3 (Execute Job)
15. Verify that the write has been completed with “Job Ended.”
16. Press F1 (Change ECU) > Select FRM/NFRM > Click OK
17. Verify the lines: get coded, FRM, JOBNAME = FA_Write
18. Press F3 (Execute Job)
19. Verify that the write has been completed with “Job Ended.”
20. Keep NCSEXPERT open
21. Press F4 (Process ECU) > Select CAS > Click OK
22. Press F2 (Change Job) > Select CODIERDATEN_LESEN (read ECU) > Click OK
23. Press F3 (Execute Job)
24. Verify “Job Ended”
25. Keep NCSExper.exe open and go to the “work” folder where the ECU trace file was saved to ([X]:\NCSEXPER_64\WORK)
26. Open the generated FSW_PSW.TRC file with Notepad
27. Choose: File > Save as > FSW_PSW.MAN (ensure to choose “save as type” as “All files” to accept the “.MAN” extension; otherwise, it will just save as a text file .TXT, which will need to be renamed to .MAN)
28. Clear the file (CTRL + A > backspace)
29. Choose: File > Save
30. Go back to NCS Expert > Press F2 (Change Job) > Select SG_codieren (Write ECU) > Click OK
31. Press F3 (Execute Job)
32. Repeat steps 21 to 31 for the NFRM/FRM module. The CAS and NFRM are now reset to the newly assigned $VO attributes (the battery will be coded to the new VO setting).

Method 5: Register BMW Battery with Foxwell Scanner

1. Replace BMW Battery with AGM (Advanced Glass Mat)
2. Locate the OBD-II port under the dashboard near the brake pedal and plug in the BMW NT510 scan tool.
3. Turn the key to position II,
4. Press the Push Start button, if applicable, without pressing the brake pedal.
5. Using NT510, select BMW, scan for VIN, select Body menu 4, Power Supply (Battery), and option 2 for Battery Registration.
6. Register a new battery or charge capacity/type if necessary.
   NOTE: Do not unplug the scanner or turn off the ignition during the battery registration process. There is no need to run options 2 and 3 if the replacement battery has the same specs as the old one.

BMW Registration vs. Coding

The difference between Registering a New Battery and Coding a New Battery can be confusing:

• Registering – This is a simple procedure that is always required. It simply tells the vehicle the battery has been replaced with a new one that has identical (or very close) specifications to the one that was just removed. Most full-system BMW scanners can complete this procedure. Skipping this step can shorten the life of the new battery.
• Coding – This is required if you install a new battery with specifications that are very different from the battery you are replacing. If you install a new battery with significantly different Cold Cranking Amps (CCA), ampere-hours (Ah), or battery types (Pb, lead acid, or AGM), you must complete coding. Very few scanners can complete this procedure. We strongly recommend looking at the old battery and trying to find a replacement battery with similar specs. CCA, Ah should not vary by more than 5% if you want to skip coding. The 5% value is based on our testing and experience.  Also, do not change the battery type. If the old battery is AGM, find the same type of battery.

What will happen if I don’t register a BMW battery?

If a new BMW battery is not registered with the vehicle’s onboard computer, also known as the DME (Digital Motor Electronics), it can cause several issues. First, the DME may not properly adjust the charging system for the new battery, which can lead to overcharging or undercharging. This can shorten the life of the new battery and may cause it to fail prematurely.

Additionally, not registering the battery may cause false “check control” warning messages to appear on the dashboard. These messages may indicate a problem with the charging system or the battery, even though there is no actual issue.

Another important thing is, if the battery is not registered, it may prevent the vehicle from starting. The DME needs to know the battery’s voltage and capacity to manage the vehicle’s electrical system properly. Without this information, the vehicle may not be able to start or have difficulty starting.

Conclusion

Finally, during driving, if the battery is not registered, the DME may not be able to properly monitor the battery’s charge level, which can lead to the battery becoming over-discharged, which can cause damage to the battery and other components in the electrical system.

In summary, not registering a new BMW battery can cause many issues, including shortened battery life, false warning messages, difficulty starting the vehicle, and damage to the vehicle’s electrical system. Therefore, it is important to register the battery as soon as it is installed. Here are some issues that may arise if you don’t register a BMW battery:

• Shorter life for the new battery
• Potential electrical issues and malfunctions
• A drivetrain malfunction warning may come on

If you don’t register the BMW battery, the most likely outcome is that the battery will not last as long. So instead of the battery lasting five years, it may only last two or three years due to over or undercharging. We have seen very few cases where not registering the battery leads to electrical issues. However, that is usually because the replacement battery’s specs (CCA, CA, Ah) are significantly lower than the OEM battery.

We do not recommend skipping battery registration on a BMW; just become some guy on Youtube who replaced the BMW battery without programming it. Unless you are just trying to get the car running and don’t care how long the new battery will last.

BMW Battery Registration Scan Tools

To register a BMW battery, you will need an OBD-II scan tool. Here are some popular scan tools to program a BMW battery.

1. YOUCANIC Full System Scanner – Can be used to program and code a new BMW battery. Great scanner to read and clear codes from all BMW systems. Works on most makes and models.
2. AUTOPHIX Enhanced BMW Full Systems Diagnostic Scan Tool 7910
3. BMW Scanner Diagnostic Tool FOXWELL NT510 Elite Full System BMW
4. ANCEL BD300 Bluetooth BMW/Mini Cooper OBD1 OBD2 Scanner

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1. BMW Battery Replacement and Registration Bimmer-tech.net
2. BMW Battery Replacement – Why register a new BMW battery? – AutoScopeCarCare.com
3. BMW Battery Registration – BimmerScan.com
4. DIY: Register and Code a New Battery (comprehensive guide) – 1Addicts.com
5. Battery Registration with Carly (BMW Only) -mycarly.com

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