2005 E60 525d, IBS lead. What does it do and do i need a new one?

[gazgits]

First of all thanks to all the people who have previously helped me on this site with my earlier posts.
So this is where i'm at:
Initially had a 2 amp earth which was draining my battery every night.
Tracked this down to the IBS lead on the battery negative lead.
I have spoke to dealers and they quoted £106.00 for the part and £150 to fit. This includes 2.5 hours labour which is down to the reprogramming.

Therefore firstly do i need a new lead(as the car is starting fine without it plugged in) and secondly do i need it reprogramming and what will happen if i fit it myself and it doesn't get reprogrammed?

Thanks once again

Gaz

[Ronnie]

Intelligent battery sensor IBS

Functional description, see BMW Technology:

TIS -> Document -> SI Technology -> 61 07 03029

Brief description

The IBS is a mechatronic component for monitoring the battery condition. The IBS is secured and connected to the negative terminal of the battery. The power supply for the IBS is fed across a separate cable. For data transmission, the IBS is connected to the DME (Digital Engine Electronics) or DDE (Digital Diesel Electronics) via the BSD (bit-serial data interface).

The software in the PC-board of the IBS calculates “State of Charge” and “State of Health” of the battery and sends the information to the DME via the Bit Serial Data link.

See here also, http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/...ost245965.html

[gazgits]

Thanks for that Ronnie. I know what the IBS does but still not sure about what will happen if i run round with it disconnected. I will try this for the next week or so. My battery is probably over 5 years old so if the battery goes flat i will look at changing the battery and the cable in a oneer.

Thanks again.

Gaz

[magpiestjames]

I had the same problem a year ago. My battery kept going flat overnight.Ran the car for 2 weeks through the worst of the winter weather with IBS disconnected car ran fine no battery discharge or other faults but decided to buy a replacement IBS anyway fitted it myself in 5 minutes car has run fine with no problems the only thing i had to do was set time and date i think the stealerships talk a load of tosh concerning reprogramming etc.Hope this helps

[Simtek Bm]

The Ibs lead tells the car a state of charge and when to shut down the consumers so ideally you can still start the car, the new ibs leads are covered in a black shroud and they do not need programming. I replace a few of these now due to water ingress from the water vent by the battery itself. Try disconnecting the 2 pin blue plug and letting the car shut down i.e the park light on the gearselector to go off and recheck the amp drain. After replacement leave the car 24 hrs locked so it can evaluate the state of charge in the battery but make sure you have a very good oem battery. hope this helps mate.

[Simtek Bm]

oh a good amp drain on these are below 0.04amps.

[rxc010]

Can anyone tell me if they think my current problem is IBS related?

After starting the car the alternator charges at around 12volts, then after about 5-10 miles it changes to 14+volts. Every now and then it stays at 12volts and drains the battery completely.
I have had a new battery, alternator and it still drains down. Getting annoyed as when limping into a service station the car is without any power and won't start at all.

Any idea anyone?