ESS Akra Tune -- Battery Issues

[SECRET M]

anyone experience low battery issues with ESS tune? i found that over the past week, the car suddenly reports low battery every so often. car is a 2008 build in july 2009 with no electronic mods (ie stereo, speakers, electronic accessories, or other possible electronic drains..). i got the ESS tune not more than 3 months ago.

also, does anyone know if the E9X M3s have a clutch on the alternator? i know they have one on the AC pump that is disengaged during hard acceleration if you have the AC running. i'm curious if that's the case with the alternator by default or if ESS is doing something here that could be screwing with how the car is charging the battery.

any info would help! cheers.

[Locksmythe]

Or your battery is dying.

[SECRET M]

yeah that could be the case. never had my E46 M3 battery die on me in 4 years of ownership though. maybe i just have a bad cell...

[Locksmythe]

I think most autoparts shops test them for free, but if they disconnect it to test you will have computer problems due to reset. Just have a dealer check it. Battery is under warranty, right?

[sales@ESSTuning]

Most likely have a battery on its way out. Take it in and have it tested.

[JC919]

Haven't had any issues, its your battery

[markymarc1979]

I think your car is just upset that you didn't get a supercharger. Pickup a kit and see how happy it will be.

[Rshane]

Lıke everyone else ıs sayıng...Your battery ıs nearly 4 years old ( I am assumıng you have never replaced ıt yet) and ıs probably just on ıt´s way out. I doubt a tune would affect your battery.

[AJ@ESS]

It is not possible for the ECU calibration to cause a battery drain issue. With 3-4yrs on your battery, this is most likely the problem.

[Draff1]

I've had some low battery warnings too and I think I isolated the problem. If you have the keyless entry (comfort access) every time you open the door you initiate several modules inside the electrical system. I had an iTouch plugged into the adapter that always connected to my wifi inside the house and kept the vehicle's radio module powered for hours after I left the car. Put a trickle charge on overnight, make sure you engage the alarm or lock the car and disconnect your ipod if it has wifi capability and see if it persists.

[IMG]

Take it in and they will replace it for free.

[SECRET M]

since i've been getting the notice, when i unlock the car, the DRL and taillights no longer light up. i wonder if this is an effort to save batteries?

[BMRLVR]

That is quite possible. The ECM knows battery voltage at all times so when it is low it most likely eliminates unnecessary drains.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by SECRET M

anyone experience low battery issues with ESS tune? i found that over the past week, the car suddenly reports low battery every so often. car is a 2008 build in july 2009 with no electronic mods (ie stereo, speakers, electronic accessories, or other possible electronic drains..). i got the ESS tune not more than 3 months ago.

also, does anyone know if the E9X M3s have a clutch on the alternator? i know they have one on the AC pump that is disengaged during hard acceleration if you have the AC running. i'm curious if that's the case with the alternator by default or if ESS is doing something here that could be screwing with how the car is charging the battery.

any info would help! cheers.

AGM type batteries should last for some time.

What mods do you have connected to the electrical system? If something is keeping CAN alive when the vehicle should be in sleep mode - this can contribute to your drainage issue.

[Maseroche]

Might also be that your commute is not long enough to really charge the battery.

[SECRET M]

Originally Posted by Maseroche

Might also be that your commute is not long enough to really charge the battery.

ah! yes my commute is about 10-15 minutes to work. however, my commute used to be 5 minutes when i had my E46, and i never really experienced issues with the battery. maybe it's really just the battery...

Originally Posted by BMRLVR

That is quite possible. The ECM knows battery voltage at all times so when it is low it most likely eliminates unnecessary drains.

yeah, it's strange because sometimes it comes on and sometimes it doesnt.

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

AGM type batteries should last for some time.

What mods do you have connected to the electrical system? If something is keeping CAN alive when the vehicle should be in sleep mode - this can contribute to your drainage issue.

the only thing really electrical i can think of besides the ESS software is the coding done for the 2011 LCI tails, but that should really have nothing to do with the offstate, right?

[BMRLVR]

Originally Posted by SECRET M

ah! yes my commute is about 10-15 minutes to work. however, my commute used to be 5 minutes when i had my E46, and i never really experienced issues with the battery. maybe it's really just the battery...



yeah, it's strange because sometimes it comes on and sometimes it doesnt.



the only thing really electrical i can think of besides the ESS software is the coding done for the 2011 LCI tails, but that should really have nothing to do with the offstate, right?

You need to stop wondering what is doing this and take the battery out of the car, Charge it at 10-20 Amps for 12-16 hours and then have it load tested! Once you know it is not your battery you can start to look at other posibilities of your problem.

PM me if you want the proper procedure to load test your battery.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by SECRET M

the only thing really electrical i can think of besides the ESS software is the coding done for the 2011 LCI tails, but that should really have nothing to do with the offstate, right?

FRM coding will have nothing to do with battery drainage, nor should any tune.