The BMW i3 is arguable a good EV. Why arguably, you would ask? Because it still has a lot of unbelievable problems that owners aren't ready to cope with. If you are buying a BMW, you consider this car should work fine at least for 5 years before it starts getting on your nerves with numerous problems. But it's not about the i3.
Battery discharging while stopped message highlights
- Common reasons:power drain, dying battery
- How to fix:check the vehicle for possible drains, check the battery life
- Possible consequences:low battery may cause all kinds of problems including getting stranded
- Priority level:High
- Can you drive?Yes
- DIY repair:Possible
- Repair price range:$0-$300
What does this error message tell you?
First of all, you should know that we've seen a 10,000-mile BMW i3 with this problem on its dashboard. It means this car can get this message even when it's relatively new. But why? What's wrong with the EV's battery at such low mileage? This may scare you because the battery replacement for the i3 is probably the most expensive maintenance procedure you can think of.
But here is what exactly goes wrong: the 12V battery. Have you heard that your German EV has a 12-volt battery in addition to its main EV battery? Like many other EVs, too. And the aim of this battery is to maintain interior light, music, whatever until you actually start the vehicle. Also, this battery supports the main battery control unit.
So, to cut a long story short, if the 12V battery is dead, you will not be able to even start your BMW i3. That's ridiculous because the main battery may be absolutely OK at this time, but the 12V one is dead and the battery controller can't jump into action.
One of the possible consequences of the dead 12V battery in the i3 is the error message reading "Battery Discharging while Stopped". Actually, BMW engineers suggest that the 12V battery is drained somehow while the vehicle is not working. And this leads to the discharging of the unit. But it's not always about the drain - the message can appear after you didn't use your BMW i3 for a long time and the 12V battery just didn't have any charge.
How does this weird system work?
Well, in short, the 12V battery is responsible for all operations of your BMW i3 up until you start the vehicle (push the start button). Right after that, the main EV battery jumps into action and supplies all the needed systems with power. Also, the main battery charges the 12V battery up until it compensates for all losses.
But if the 12V battery is already drained because the vehicle was placed in your garage for 2 months and didn't see the road, the message will pop up once your start your i3. Why? Because the battery is sending only 10 volts or something and the BMW brain thinks it's dying or just being drained.
Your driving should compensate for all losses and allow you to use the vehicle with no error messages in the future. But very often we drive the BMW i3 for short distances and it's just not enough time to bring the 12V battery back to life. That's why this annoying message may pop up for some time - a week or two - until the battery is fully charged.
It can also happen that the 12V battery is dead and not taking the charge. In this case, you will need to just replace it with a new one.
Here's what you should do when you see "Battery Discharging while Stopped" in the BMW i3:
- Check the 12V battery. You may check its voltage without any load and with interior lights on. It should be 12.5-12.9 volts.
- If the voltage is low, locate the battery and try charging it with a proper charger. Follow the instructions and guidelines to avoid any problems. The battery should be disconnected for the safety of your vehicle.
- If the voltage is OK, the problem may be in the wiring or contacts. Try cleaning the battery terminals and see if the error message disappears.
- If this doesn't help, take off the old battery, go to the nearest auto part store and buy a new battery with the needed specifications.
- Install the new battery and see if the problem disappears. If not, just get ready to visit the BMW service station or dealer to cope with the issue.
How expensive it is to replace the 12V battery in the BMW i3?
It's just as expensive as for any other vehicle. If you can replace it by yourself, you can do this for free, but the new battery will still cost you some money. If you want someone else to do it, you will pay up to $100 for labor.
The battery price depends highly on the chosen brand.
About the authors
The CarAraC research team is composed of seasoned auto mechanics and automotive industry professionals, including individuals with advanced degrees and certifications in their field. Our team members boast prestigious credentials, reflecting their extensive knowledge and skills. These qualifications include: IMI: Institute of the Motor Industry, ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technicians; Coventry University, Graduate of MA in Automotive Journalism; Politecnico di Torino, Italy, MS Automotive Engineering; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Mechanical University in Skopje; TOC Automotive College; DHA Suffa University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
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