xdrive40e 12-volt battery, hybrid engagement issues

c00lbeans · 07-10-2021, 03:16 PM

I'm experiencing these same issues. If I do a scan with Bimmer link I do get code 215001 advanced communication error: intelligent battery sensor malfunction.

It sounds like a couple people also had this but replacing the battery fixed everything? Is this correct or will I need a new sensor ? Thx.

corduroy · 07-11-2021, 09:30 AM

Do you have a 12v battery tender/charger? You could try using that first and see if the issue goes away. If so, then it's probably just the battery and just plan on replacing it. I didn't change my main 12v battery but thinking back in it, I just might do it as well in case that's going out and putting any extra stress on the aux (not really sure though).

For me, it was definitely the 12v aux battery and nothing else. As our 40e gets older, Age wise, probably the '16 and '17 are the most impacted right now and it'll be increasing in frequency.

c00lbeans · 07-11-2021, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corduroy

Do you have a 12v battery tender/charger? You could try using that first and see if the issue goes away. If so, then it's probably just the battery and just plan on replacing it. I didn't change my main 12v battery but thinking back in it, I just might do it as well in case that's going out and putting any extra stress on the aux (not really sure though).

For me, it was definitely the 12v aux battery and nothing else. As our 40e gets older, Age wise, probably the '16 and '17 are the most impacted right now and it'll be increasing in frequency.

Quote:

Originally Posted by corduroy

Do you have a 12v battery tender/charger? You could try using that first and see if the issue goes away. If so, then it's probably just the battery and just plan on replacing it. I didn't change my main 12v battery but thinking back in it, I just might do it as well in case that's going out and putting any extra stress on the aux (not really sure though).

For me, it was definitely the 12v aux battery and nothing else. As our 40e gets older, Age wise, probably the '16 and '17 are the most impacted right now and it'll be increasing in frequency.

I don't have one. So the ac Delco posted earlier in this thread should work? Can I install it without disconnecting the main battery which requires recalibrating the steering apparently? Can bimmer code register it?

corduroy · 07-13-2021, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c00lbeans

I don't have one. So the ac Delco posted earlier in this thread should work? Can I install it without disconnecting the main battery which requires recalibrating the steering apparently? Can bimmer code register it?

Here's the thread about the aux battery. https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1696164

The AC Delco should work, all the specs seem to match up. Not sure about installation. I've disconnected my main 12v battery several times (installing/reinstalling my mmi) and never had to recalibrate the steering - so I'm not sure. I've never registered a battery with bimmercode, but it did list both batteries the last time I opened it.

c00lbeans · 07-13-2021, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corduroy

Here's the thread about the aux battery. https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1696164

The AC Delco should work, all the specs seem to match up. Not sure about installation. I've disconnected my main 12v battery several times (installing/reinstalling my mmi) and never had to recalibrate the steering - so I'm not sure. I've never registered a battery with bimmercode, but it did list both batteries the last time I opened it.

The battery in my car has 570 CCA and the acdelco is 560 CCA. Do you think 10 ccA will make a difference in cold weather?

corduroy · 07-14-2021, 10:00 AM

10 CCA shouldn't make a difference. I forgot where the discussion was, but considering the unique size and capacity of this battery, the oem aux battery is probably just a rebranded AC Delco and that 10 CCA discrepancy is probably just a difference in rounding.

c00lbeans · 07-22-2021, 10:28 PM

Update. I bought and installed the ac delco battery posted earlier in this thread. It fixed my auto start stop problems and is working fine. I deactivated the high voltage system and left the main 12 volt battery hooked up. Didn't need to recalibrate steering or moon roof or anything. Just cleared the check engine light codes and back to normal. I did notice the 40e has space and an adjustment tab to take a larger aux battery. It looks like a 1 inch longer battery would fit. So LN2 or Bci 47 size instead of LN1. Pic of the adjustment tab attached.

ischoombie · 08-25-2021, 07:33 PM

How did you deactivate the high voltage battery?

j.maldo · 08-26-2021, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ischoombie

How did you deactivate the high voltage battery?

Green plug in the right side luggage compartment.

ischoombie · 08-26-2021, 06:20 PM

Thank you j.maldo

bk335ilci · 03-14-2023, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c00lbeans

Update. I bought and installed the ac delco battery posted earlier in this thread. It fixed my auto start stop problems and is working fine. I deactivated the high voltage system and left the main 12 volt battery hooked up. Didn't need to recalibrate steering or moon roof or anything. Just cleared the check engine light codes and back to normal. I did notice the 40e has space and an adjustment tab to take a larger aux battery. It looks like a 1 inch longer battery would fit. So LN2 or Bci 47 size instead of LN1. Pic of the adjustment tab attached.

Old thread I believe I have same issue with my auxiliary battery. I wanted to replace it with that AC Delco battery. How has the battery been holding up?

newmaldenx5 · 05-09-2023, 05:17 PM

Found this thread very helpful and thought I should share. Had problems with sluggish start/stop (jumping/jerking especially when cold), no max edrive, in the end no electric when idling, then finally never electric drive. Suspected transmission fluid, transmission (one mechanic suggested taking it apart to diagnose ..), parking brakes … the problem was 2-fold; aux battery was failing - and - the aux battery sensor was giving wrong readings, so did not show up in diagnostics. Evidently BMW has issued an alert for this issue in the US, but not in Europe, so there was a bit of a kerfuffle. All good now, and not a massive bill to fix. The 2016 X5 e40, bought a year ago, now drives better than ever.

FREE100KSECRET · 02-02-2024, 03:50 PM

Curious, my aux battery is showing 14.93V with engine off, is this normal, sounds like it is high to me given the main 12VDC is 12.9VDC when not running. Replaced the main battery and this got rid of dozens of low voltage codes, so those problems were erased and gone, but I still have DME and EME faults. So can an over voltage of aux battery freak out and stop engine from starting? I hate to replace it if 14.93V is normal for this battery in good condition. I know high voltage jump starts can fry some components, so could this be considered high spike?

07-10-2021, 03:16 PM	#23
c00lbeans Banned 14 Rep 97 Posts Drives: X5 40e Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Spokane, WA iTrader: (0)	I'm experiencing these same issues. If I do a scan with Bimmer link I do get code 215001 advanced communication error: intelligent battery sensor malfunction. It sounds like a couple people also had this but replacing the battery fixed everything? Is this correct or will I need a new sensor ? Thx.
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07-11-2021, 09:30 AM	#24
corduroy Second Lieutenant 110 Rep 247 Posts Drives: '16 X5 xDrive40e (F15) Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	Do you have a 12v battery tender/charger? You could try using that first and see if the issue goes away. If so, then it's probably just the battery and just plan on replacing it. I didn't change my main 12v battery but thinking back in it, I just might do it as well in case that's going out and putting any extra stress on the aux (not really sure though). For me, it was definitely the 12v aux battery and nothing else. As our 40e gets older, Age wise, probably the '16 and '17 are the most impacted right now and it'll be increasing in frequency.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-14-2021, 10:00 AM	#28
corduroy Second Lieutenant 110 Rep 247 Posts Drives: '16 X5 xDrive40e (F15) Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	10 CCA shouldn't make a difference. I forgot where the discussion was, but considering the unique size and capacity of this battery, the oem aux battery is probably just a rebranded AC Delco and that 10 CCA discrepancy is probably just a difference in rounding.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-22-2021, 10:28 PM	#29
c00lbeans Banned 14 Rep 97 Posts Drives: X5 40e Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Spokane, WA iTrader: (0)	Update. I bought and installed the ac delco battery posted earlier in this thread. It fixed my auto start stop problems and is working fine. I deactivated the high voltage system and left the main 12 volt battery hooked up. Didn't need to recalibrate steering or moon roof or anything. Just cleared the check engine light codes and back to normal. I did notice the 40e has space and an adjustment tab to take a larger aux battery. It looks like a 1 inch longer battery would fit. So LN2 or Bci 47 size instead of LN1. Pic of the adjustment tab attached. Attached Images
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08-25-2021, 07:33 PM	#30
ischoombie Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: BMW X5 40e Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0)	How did you deactivate the high voltage battery?
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xdrive40e 12-volt battery, hybrid engagement issues

08-26-2021, 06:20 PM	#32
ischoombie Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: BMW X5 40e Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0)	Thank you j.maldo
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05-09-2023, 05:17 PM	#34
newmaldenx5 Registered 3 Rep 1 Posts Drives: BMW x5 e40 2016 Join Date: May 2023 Location: London UK iTrader: (0)	Found this thread very helpful and thought I should share. Had problems with sluggish start/stop (jumping/jerking especially when cold), no max edrive, in the end no electric when idling, then finally never electric drive. Suspected transmission fluid, transmission (one mechanic suggested taking it apart to diagnose ..), parking brakes … the problem was 2-fold; aux battery was failing - and - the aux battery sensor was giving wrong readings, so did not show up in diagnostics. Evidently BMW has issued an alert for this issue in the US, but not in Europe, so there was a bit of a kerfuffle. All good now, and not a massive bill to fix. The 2016 X5 e40, bought a year ago, now drives better than ever. Last edited by newmaldenx5; 05-09-2023 at 05:23 PM.. Reason: Added some detail
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02-02-2024, 03:50 PM	#35
FREE100KSECRET New Member 0 Rep 23 Posts Drives: BMW e70 4.8 Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Curious, my aux battery is showing 14.93V with engine off, is this normal, sounds like it is high to me given the main 12VDC is 12.9VDC when not running. Replaced the main battery and this got rid of dozens of low voltage codes, so those problems were erased and gone, but I still have DME and EME faults. So can an over voltage of aux battery freak out and stop engine from starting? I hate to replace it if 14.93V is normal for this battery in good condition. I know high voltage jump starts can fry some components, so could this be considered high spike?
	Appreciate 0 Quote