Check all the fuses are pushed in properly, failing that get a full diagnostic test done, that kind of fault will almost certainly be recorded in car management systems

 

More like an earthing problem. The most common tap is located behind the rear passenger seat near battery which may have become loose. Also a battery on it's last legs will give similar warnings.

 

Thanks for the advice i will do a few checks tomorrow.

 

Sounds like your alternator is overcharging,Check the alternator charge rate,if you can, measure the battery voltage when the fault is occuring,the systems have a fail safe that cuts them out when overvoltage is detected

The fault memory will store overvoltage faults

 

I have a voltage tester so i will check it next time it happens. Thanks.

 

Battery overcharging will show a msg on the idrive display as it will be monitored by the IBS.

 

I have been monitoring my voltage on the hidden menu (its no 9) when i turn on the ignition it shows 12 - 12.1v then when i start the engine it usually fluctuates between 14.5 - 15.1v constantly up and down, is this normal to fluctuate constantly up and down? There was one time when i started the engine it showed 11.3 - 11.6v i know that 11.3 is too low(This only happened once) but is 14.5 - 15.1 too high? or maybe this recall on the battery lead could be causing my problem? Has anyone checked their voltage and is it the same as mine? I would be grateful for any info. Thanks.

 

bmw 530d electrical problem

hi did you find out what was causing your electrical problem,as my 530d does the same thing,hope you can help.kind regards john

 

No not yet but i had reply s telling me it could be my alternator so thats why i posted my voltage results in the hope that someone might be able to shed a bit more light on the subject. And it only seems to happen every now and again and within the first few minutes of driving when the car is cold. When i get a chance i will take it to a garage for them to sort it out the only problem is its intermittent so it could be a nightmare to diagnose.

 

Your voltages are fine - i flattened my battery by leaving the lights on one day in Bracknell. RAC guy jumped started me and the voltage jumped up to 14.5v once started. I asked if that normal and he said yes, shows it's being charged

 

Sounds like a knackered battery.

 

I did look at the battery a few weeks ago and i think it has been changed as it is a 100ah battery and when i looked up to see what battery i need for the car it says 90ah. How can i tell if the battery is original is there something i can check to tell? And if it has been changed what if the previous owner didn't register the battery to the car would that cause issues?And I recently noticed that when after iv been for a drive if i stop and sit with the engine off but my radio on for about 10 mins i get a warning saying low battery.

 

Still sounds like battery - even a fairly new one can fail if left discharged for a long time. The electrolyte fails

 

I only use the car on weekends and maybe the odd day in the week (i should have bought a petrol not diesel) but i have had no problems starting it and when i get the electrical shut down it only does it every now and again and its only done it within a few minutes of driving (when the engine is cold) and then i switch the engine off and then restart it again and it starts fine, there was one time it shut down 3 times one after another and i had to restart the car 3 times and it started fine i would have thought if battery was knackered i would have had trouble starting the car with not enough power to turn the engine? I have been told it could be intermittent alternator fault and the reason for the shut down is the car going into safe mode to prevent any electrical damage and would not show on a diagnostic test. I haven't taken it to a garage as it being intermittent i would have thought they wouldn't find anything wrong?

 

I think iv finally found out what's wrong as i was told it might have been my alternator as i said in my earlier reply iv been watching my voltage on the hidden menu and this morning it was 14.5V - 15.1V and then shot up to 17.8V and then electrical shut down (iv been told the car has gone into safe mode to protect the electrics from being fried by 18V). I switched off restarted the engine and it shot straight up to 17.8V and shut down again. I restarted and everything is fine again. My alternator is covered by warenty only trouble is the fault is intermittent so if i take it to a garage if they check the alternator it will probably test ok. I will have a chat with an auto electrician and hopefully sort something out.

 

How did we get on with this fault, mine is doing the exact same. I've bought a new alternator to try first and am fitting it tomorrow. I will keep anyone updated as to weather this cures my problem. Failing that I'll take it back to the garage I bought it from.

 

I had mine changed a few days ago and so far so good i have been watching the voltage on the hidden menu and its 14.5V - 15V so all good. I was intending on posting results but i was going to give it at least a week just to make sure its ok. I will still keep you all informed.

 

You probably could have saved yourself a heap of time by taking it into a BMW dealer or in dependant and had the codes read. Intermittent or not the overcharging codes would have been stored.

 

the error codes would not be stored necessarily. I had my alternator intermittent problems (http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum.../f15/2001-e61-check-battery-terminals-transmission-dsc-failure-messages-t95129/) and I had no codes at whole. Same symptoms... I had alternator and charging checked by garage when I got new battery and all showed as okay.

 

Well that's the alternator on, not the easiest job wouldn't come out because of the heat exchanger. Removed that then finally got it out. I'll give it a week to make sure all's good but fingers crossed it will be.

 

i have the same problem as you for quiet some time..did replacing the alternator cure it.

 

Yes all is well now but you can just change the voltage regulator approx £100 iv been told which would be cheaper and you dont have to take the alternator off. Mine was covered by warenty so had a new alternator which would have cost £300 fitted.