BMW X5 No Power at All – Common Reasons and Ways to Fix

When there is no power at all in the BMW X5, you should start by checking the battery. Then, you need to check the power distribution from the battery to the main units and modules. Some connections may be corroded or broken, or the wire may be disconnected which will cause a complete absence of power in the car.

No-power problems highlights

• Level of urgency:high
• DIY inspection:possible but complicated
• DIY repairs:possible but often complicated
• Can you drive?no
• Price of repairs:$50 - $250
• If ignored:no-start, nothing works
• Ways to fix:check the battery, connections, fuses

Symptoms of the no-power problem in your BMW X5

Today, we are mostly talking about the issue when your BMW has no electrical power at all. I mean, even the lights don't turn on when you enter the vehicle and try to start it. This doesn't happen often with the vehicles, but still, a lot of BMW X5 owners complain.

Before I start giving tips on how to solve the problem, you should make sure that you are on the needed page. The article name may be misleading - I won't talk today about the engine power and poor acceleration. My main task is to solve the electrical problem in your X5.

So, here are the symptoms I'm going to talk about today:

• you can't open the car with the remote control or with the keyless entry button;
• the door will only open with the physical key;
• you can't start the engine - it doesn't crank and even doesn't click;
• the lights in the interior of your X5 don't go on;
• there is nothing on the dash - it's just blank and black;
• the remote control doesn't communicate with the car, all functions are disabled.

Also, if you have some lights in your car and it can be opened by the remote fob, but you can't start it because of the lack of power, the article will help you find the reason and the best fix for this. The low-power and the no-power problem can actually have the same roots.

Though you should keep in mind that if all the electrical functions work well in your car but you can't start it, the reason can be different and this article may not give you the answer to your question. It's important to actually understand what's happening with the vehicle before trying to repair it.

Common reasons for electrical issues with the X5

Now, that we are sure that we are on the same page, let's see the reasons that can lead to complete power loss in your BMW X5. When there is no electrical power at all, you should locate the battery and check it. This is the number one culprit of such problems and it should be considered first.

Here are the actual reasons that are common for the X5:

1) The battery is completely dead

Your X5 will not work with extremely low voltage. When the voltage is dangerously low, you may expect the vehicle to cut the power thanks to its smart battery management system. On the one hand, it's bad because you will need to deal with this system and overcome its settings somehow. On the other hand, it saves your electronic units from being fried.

If the battery is completely dead, you may need to replace it or recharge. Jump starting will not work with all BMW X5 models. Sometimes, you will have to disconnect the battery for some time and only then try to jump it.

To make sure the low battery is your culprit, measure the voltage and make sure it's about 12.5 volts. If it's lower than 11.5 volts, you've just found the root of the problem.

2) Battery connection cables

It's not uncommon for the X5 to develop some electrical problems. One of the most obvious issues is the corrosion of battery cables. The X5 has a complicated system of battery power distribution and there is a bunch of cables on each terminal.

Take the cables off the battery post and see if they are corroded or covered in any buildup. Clean the post and clean the cable connections. Then reattach the cables and see if it works.

Also, I've seen situations when people disconnected their X5 cables when they were going to leave for a month or longer. Then, after coming back, they reconnected the cables in the wrong way leaving some cables disconnected. Of course, this will lead to no-power problem.

Check carefully whether all cables are connected to the battery. Reconnect everything and check if the vehicle is working now.

3) Battery management system

In newer X5 models, you will have a system that controls how the battery performs. If the voltage drops or there is some other problem with the battery, the management system cuts the power. This helps you avoid frying some electronic control unit or causing more harm when trying to start the car in such a condition.

Also, the battery management system may have a glitch and go crazy sometimes. If you suspect this can be the reason, you should disconnect the battery for some time. After you reconnect it, the system may reset and start working properly.

4) Water damage to electrical system

Water and electricity are not the best friends. So when you try to mate them, disaster is inevitable. Your vehicle may have got serious water damage in some part of the electrical units. For example, the main fuse box was flooded, and now all the connections there are corroded. This will mean that the car will not have power at all.

Unfortunately, this is one of the most unpleasant types of damage and it will need professional inspection. In most cases, the repair is going to be expensive and long.

Can you solve the battery and connection problems on your own?

Some of the problems you can solve without paying money to dealers or shops. For example, to solve the low-battery problem, you need to replace or recharge it.

Here's how you can do that:

• locate the battery - in most BMW X5 models, the battery will be located in the trunk, under the special cover;
• first, disconnect the battery, then use the multimeter to measure its voltage;
• if it's lower than 12V, you should try recharging the battery, use the proper charger for that;
• if the charging is successful, install the battery back into the trunk and connect it;
• if the battery can't charge or it's just older than 5 years, you should just replace it with a new one;
• connect the battery (first positive terminal, then negative one) and try starting the car;
• if this didn't help you solve the problem, inspect the connections and cables.

When it comes to the connections, it's quite hard to check them properly unless you have some experience. You can take the cables off the battery posts again, clean them, clean the posts, check if there are no disconnected cables, and also check for any damaged cables.

If you can't locate the problem and the X5 still has no power at all, it's very likely that you will need professional help. Without proper inspection, it's impossible to locate the problem.

Can you somehow start the X5 with no electrical power?

One option you have is to jump-start the vehicle. But this will help if the power is low. If it's absolutely absent, the jump-starting will probably be useless. You may still try, especially if you have the battery booster with you. Another option is to jump-start the car by connecting its battery to another car.

Without using external power, it's impossible to start your vehicle. First of all, the engine cranking requires a lot of power. Secondly, the power is needed to fire spark plugs through the ignition coils. Without this, your X5 won't start, whatever you do with it.

So, if you can't locate and solve the problem, you will most likely need the tow truck to get your vehicle to the dealership or to the nearest repair shop. Alternatively, you may find a specialist who will come to you and solve the problem.

Final thoughts

If your BMW X5 doesn't have power at all, it's possible that the problem is with the battery. In many X5, the connections are not that durable. If your vehicle is over 10 years of age, you may need to check the main connections, clean them, and make sure they work properly.

Also, it's important to check if the battery is alive and good to go. Low voltage is never good for a car, so avoid driving a vehicle with a low battery.

In many cases, you will need professional help when the X5 doesn't have power at all. But first, I strongly recommend you try and find the problem on your own using the tips from this article.