Most modern BMWs have something called intelligent battery sensors. These monitor your BMW battery’s amperage and voltage. When you’ve changed batteries, you’ve got to program the IBS system. Otherwise, your BMW will overcharge them!
BMW batteries should be programmed for models made after 1990 because they have an intelligent battery sensor (IBS). Programming resets the sensor to ensure that the vehicle properly monitors the battery’s health and state and charges it accordingly.
Models made after 2002 tend to use specialized batteries. Not only do you charge these, but you’ve got to register them as well.
That’s because newer models have a lot more electronics inside of them. As a result, they’ll usually require more powerful batteries.
What Happens if You Don’t Reprogram BMW Battery?
Forgetting to program your BMW’s battery could cause problems. Most of the time, you’ll still be able to drive it, though. Programming the battery resets the intelligent battery sensors. These detect the flow of electricity within your car.
As batteries age, they’ll deliver less current. And, their lifespans decrease. Because of this, your IBS system changes how your car charges its battery.
Programming the battery helps your car deliver the correct level of current. Without programming it, your batteries won’t last as long!
All BMWs use the alternator to recharge their batteries. However, they’ve got to set how much power flows from the alternator.
Typically, the onboard electronic control module takes care of it. But, they’ve got to have the proper programming to do it correctly.
If you’re driving on an unprogrammed battery, your accessories might not work. That’s because they’re not getting enough juice from your battery.
Since they haven’t been programmed, they’re not charging well enough. Over time, they’ll drain and stop producing as much power.
Do BMW Batteries Need Coding?
Battery coding sets the number of amps and volts delivered by the alternator. To properly charge a battery, they’ve got to have the proper number of them.
Otherwise, they’ll either over or undercharge.
Coding a new battery is as simple as plugging into the OBII port on your BMW. Using a set of BMW tools, you’ve got to navigate to the battery screen.
From there, scroll down until you see the battery replacement option. Then, you can hit that button to code the battery.
As long as you’ve done that, your battery should work properly. It’ll receive the ideal number of volts and amps from the BMW’s alternator. And, your new battery should charge efficiently as a result.
How Do You Reprogram a BMW Battery?
To code a BMW’s battery, you’ll need the right tools. First, grab a BMW OBII port scanner. They should plug directly into your BMW’s OBII, usually underneath the dash. You can identify them by looking for something similar to a VGA port on your monitor.
After plugging into that port, turn on your car by pushing the ignition button. Your BMW tools should turn on after you’ve done that. You’ll see a list of options on the screen, and one of them should say battery. Click on that option to go to the next screen.
Once you’re on the battery screen, you’ll see a few more options on the scanner. Scroll down until you’ve found one that says battery coding. Simply tap on that option to code the new battery.
Usually, this doesn’t take all that long. After a few moments, you’ll be good to go!
You can also register the new battery while you’re on that screen. Battery registration also helps your BMW perform at its best. It doesn’t take much longer, either.
On the same screen as before, look for the battery registration option. Then, click on that button. It’ll take a few moments to complete the process. But, once you’re done, you’re good to go.
Your battery should last a lot longer if you’ve done all this.
Programming Your BMW Battery
Programming a BMW’s battery doesn’t take much computer knowledge. You’ll just need to correct tools and a few minutes.
You should always take the time to reprogram your BMW’s battery after replacing them. They’ll last a lot longer, and your BMW should run better as a result.
Neglecting to program your BMW’s battery won’t cause it to die, though. The battery just won’t charge as well as it should. So, it’ll have a shorter lifespan. And, some of your accessories might not work well.
If you notice accessories malfunctioning, try programming the battery to correct the problem.
If you’re concerned about programming the battery, you could visit a mechanic. They’ll have the equipment to do this for you. And, they’ll get it done fast since they program them all the time.
