[YuCrew]

I have a question about the 10 AHr LITHIUM battery under the hood (2019 X5 40i). I understand it is in PARALLEL with the AGM main battery in the trunk so I'm questioning the need for REGISTRATION and why charging profile would be altered since the charging process is probably focused on the MAIN battery. Dealer says it to needs to be replaced (and also said CODING required which I believe is inaccurate because I'd replace original with identical new one) and I'm looking for input as to whether a new genuine BMW LITHIUM replacement battery needs REGISTRATION. I cannot find a definitive answer on this and I appreciate any and all expert replies. I had a 2012 X5 and have done battery coding and registration on the E73 but I understand the G05 uses enet and not Dcan cable. DOES THE LITHIUM BATTERY NEED REGISTRATION? Thank you VERY MUCH!

[TurtleBoy]

My understanding is that it does not but have never seen anything one way or the other on official docs.

[gfeiner97]

If the lithium battery in the 2019 x5 is the same as the 48v lithium battery in the 2022 X5, then yes it does need to be registered, per BMW AIR documentation. If you like to have that kind of repair information for yourself, you can get it directly from BMW at https://bmwtechinfo.bmwgroup.com/#/login A 1-day subscription is $32. I would suggest registering when you have plenty of free time and then spend the day "printing" documentation to pdf files for future referral.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by gfeiner97

If the lithium battery in the 2019 x5 is the same as the 48v lithium battery in the 2022 X5, then yes it does need to be registered, per BMW AIR documentation. If you like to have that kind of repair information for yourself, you can get it directly from BMW at https://bmwtechinfo.bmwgroup.com/#/login A 1-day subscription is $32. I would suggest registering when you have plenty of free time and then spend the day "printing" documentation to pdf files for future referral.

It is not the same as it is not a mild hybrid. It is the 12v LiOn as part of the Dual Storage system.

[Qsilver7]

One thing to look for to see if a battery may need registration is…does it have an IBS (intelligent battery sensor).

The IBS is the reason the main battery requires registration. The IBS monitors multiple parameters that affect how the charging system communicates and charges the battery.

In BMWs with multiple batteries…some of the aux batteries are monitored by a PCU (power control unit) or another module (whose name is escaping me as I type this reply).

Again, look at the negative battery cable to see if there’s a small mechatronic module attached to the neg cable that mounts to the neg battery post. Also, if you have software or a tool that can register the battery, you can hook it up prior to buying the battery etc and see if there is a selection for registering it, too. An example is obvious if you have the Bimmerlink app…if you connect the app and go to the 12 volt battery screen, you can see a tab to register a new battery. If your aux battery required registration…if you pull it up, the selection would be there, too.

But again, on many BMWs, the smaller aux battery doesn’t have an IBS…and the software/apps don’t show any way to register them. But if the aux battery does have an IBS….the software/app should pick this up as it scans your ECUs…and give you an option to register a new replacement.

In the two topology charts below, the F15 chart uses the PCU to monitor the aux battery and there is no IBS on the aux battery. But the G11 chart below, the LITHIUM battery in the engine bay DOES have an IBS…so it should be registered.

[YuCrew]

Thanks to all who have replied and especially QSilver7. YOU ROCK! I appreciate the time you took to supply all that helpful information. Below are 3 pics. First pic is a new 10Ahr lithium battery. The THREADED battery post is approximately .305" diameter. Note the "port" on the battery for a 3 pin connector.
2nd pic is the ground lead. It just a heavy short black wire (circled in green) that connects directly to the body. That lead wire does not appear to have IBS.
3rd pic shows the battery port connection (red circle). I suppose this facilitates the DME communication.

1. do you think this battery configuration suggests registration is needed?
2. is registration just to record the installation of the lithium battery or does it have additional charging profile and battery life implications?
3. lastly, if I install new battery, do you think I can drive to have it registered by a dealer or local indy shop up to an hour drive away without causing any system damage?

I'm new to the Greenville SC area so I do not yet have any indy I know and trust who will not charge me $100+ for a 5 minute job nor do I know any local enthusiasts who have INPA+ that I can pay. I have coded and registered a battery in a E71 LCI long ago but that used K+Dcan and I understand the G05 uses ENET cable. THANK YOU and Happy New Year.

[TurtleBoy]

Turns out registration is required. I have attached a doc on the X7 mild hybrid but it should be the same. For the 12v battery, registration and the IBS is used for tracking the charged state and age of the battery. If you don't register it then it will likely reduce your battery life as it will not provide a full charge. I would imagine something similar happens with the LiOn under the hood.

Give your dealer a call and explain the situation to make sure they will register it for you. They may not if they didn't install the battery.




Link for mobile app users -48V Electrical System

BMW_48V vehicle electrical system.pdf

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by YuCrew

3. lastly, if I install new battery, do you think I can drive to have it registered by a dealer or local indy shop up to an hour drive away without causing any system damage?

Yes, it's safe to drive to a service center with the newly installed unregistered battery. Just don't continue driving it and forget to have it registered or it "may" shorten its life and they, as you already know, are expensive. Not to mention the strange issues a low charge will cause

[Qsilver7]

Ditto the comments above from Turtle & Marty. Perhaps consider purchasing a tool or app & cable or dongle that can register the batteries. Their cost may be less than (or approx the same) as paying labor for battery registration. The end result would be you now have a tool or app that can assist you with diagnostic info…where as paying someone else to register the batteries is a one and done deal that you’ll have to repeat again if you still own the vehicle when another battery is replaced.

A diagnostic tool like a Foxwell (forget the model number that can register a battery) or an app like Bimmerlink + cable or dongle will give you a tool for future diagnostics.

In regard to which cable or dongle you need to communicate with an app like Bimmerlink/Bimmercode…they have all of the recommended adapters and cables listed on their site for which platform you use to download the app to… IOS/Android/Desktop…and which series they work with: https://bimmercode.app/adapters/

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Ditto the comments above from Turtle & Marty. Perhaps consider purchasing a tool or app & cable or dongle that can register the batteries. Their cost may be less than (or approx the same) as paying labor for battery registration. The end result would be you know have a tool or app that can assist you with diagnostic info…where as paying someone else to register the batteries is a one and done deal that you’ll have to repeat again if you still own the vehicle when another battery is replaced.

A diagnostic tool like a Foxwell (forget the model number that can register a battery) or an app like Bimmerlink + cable or dongle will give you a tool for future diagnostics.

In regard to which cable or dongle you need to communicate with an app like Bimmerlink/Bimmercode…they have all of the recommended adapters and cables listed on their site for which platform you use to download the app to… IOS/Android/Desktop…and which series they work with: https://bimmercode.app/adapters/

I can't speak to Foxwell but Bimmerlink is not capable of registering the 48v battery, I checked with them this morning.

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

I can't speak to Foxwell but Bimmerlink is not capable of registering the 48v battery, I checked with them this morning.

Did they say if they were going to add that capability in a future update?

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by Marty in NY

Did they say if they were going to add that capability in a future update?

No they didn't so I took it as it won't be addressed. I guess it makes sense since the 48v battery should be a long lasting item and rarely need to be replaced from what I have seen.

[YuCrew]

QSilver7: I have not found a single app yet that will REGISTER the 12V Lithium Battery. I do want to "BUY" software and hardware as you've suggested but no success yet finding anything that will work other than ISTA+ and I need to get the new battery installed soon since I now have it, and then registered. They are WICKED expensive (almost $1000 MSRP for a 8+ lb battery ... nuts!) and I need to do it right! BimmerLink confirmed their app will not REGISTER the 12V aux lithium battery. Foxwell also confirmed they do not have a product that will do the job.

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by YuCrew

QSilver7: I have not found a single app yet that will REGISTER the 12V Lithium Battery. I do want to "BUY" software and hardware as you've suggested but no success yet finding anything that will work other than ISTA+ and I need to get the new battery installed soon since I now have it, and then registered. They are WICKED expensive (almost $1000 MSRP for a 8+ lb battery ... nuts!) and I need to do it right! BimmerLink confirmed their app will not REGISTER the 12V aux lithium battery. Foxwell also confirmed they do not have a product that will do the job.

Why did the dealer tell you that you need a new one?

[YuCrew]

Dealer diagnosis: replace 12V, 10AHr lithium battery to eliminate malfunction warning.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by YuCrew

QSilver7: I have not found a single app yet that will REGISTER the 12V Lithium Battery. I do want to "BUY" software and hardware as you've suggested but no success yet finding anything that will work other than ISTA+ and I need to get the new battery installed soon since I now have it, and then registered. They are WICKED expensive (almost $1000 MSRP for a 8+ lb battery ... nuts!) and I need to do it right! BimmerLink confirmed their app will not REGISTER the 12V aux lithium battery. Foxwell also confirmed they do not have a product that will do the job.

Thanks for the info (and Turtleboy, too). I guess one has to use ISTA or the dealer if they have an aux battery that requires registration.

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by YuCrew

Dealer diagnosis: replace 12V, 10AHr lithium battery to eliminate malfunction warning.

Thanks. Well since you already have the battery and it looks dismal in terms of registering it yourself, you might as well take it in and get-er-done. Curious though, have you plugged in an OBD scanner to see what sort of battery related code(s) are stored. Just seems odd that in all the posts I've read over the years here, yours is the first I can recall off hand that needed to replace that particular battery and I find myself wondering if the dealer misdiagnosed the issue. Dealers think nothing of telling a customer they need a $1K part
- Is your car still displaying that message on your display?
- Do you know for sure your 12V battery is not causing it?
- Have you reset iDrive?
- have you driven the car long enough in the days prior to that message as opposed to having it sit in the garage for weeks?

Perhaps since yours is a 2019, we'll be seeing more of this as other 2019's continue to age Well, let us know the final results once its been replaced and registered.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by Marty in NY

Perhaps since yours is a 2019, we'll be seeing more of this as other 2019's continue to age Well, let us know the final results once its been replaced and registered.

Hopefully not.

[AMG KLR]

Originally Posted by Marty in NY

Thanks. Well since you already have the battery and it looks dismal in terms of registering it yourself, you might as well take it in and get-er-done. Curious though, have you plugged in an OBD scanner to see what sort of battery related code(s) are stored. Just seems odd that in all the posts I've read over the years here, yours is the first I can recall off hand that needed to replace that particular battery and I find myself wondering if the dealer misdiagnosed the issue. Dealers think nothing of telling a customer they need a $1K part
- Is your car still displaying that message on your display?
- Do you know for sure your 12V battery is not causing it?
- Have you reset iDrive?
- have you driven the car long enough in the days prior to that message as opposed to having it sit in the garage for weeks?

Perhaps since yours is a 2019, we'll be seeing more of this as other 2019's continue to age Well, let us know the final results once its been replaced and registered.

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

Hopefully not.

Im actually here because of this. My sisters car was totally dead and after replacing the AGM I suspect the aux lithium one in the hood of the car died. Says its jammed closed, BMW wants 2500 bucks and the car is a 2019 330i. I bought a battery charger to see if I can bring it back to life. I also didnt know I could register the battery on ISTA, maybe that would help chill the car out. It hasnt been the same since the battery died and was replaced