BMW 3 Hybrid Emergency Call Issues: Fix Needed

Hey there! I have some experience with cars and had a similar issue with my 2013 BMW 5 Series Hybrid (also had a 7 Series before). Last winter, I faced the exact same emergency call system error. Turned out the auxiliary battery was completely dead. Took it to my regular workshop, and they diagnosed it right away. The fix was pretty straightforward, they replaced the auxiliary battery, and it cost me around 110 Euro. These backup batteries typically last 4-5 years, so this is quite common in aging hybrids. To help you better, could you share: Any other warning messages you're seeing? When did you first notice this issue? Has your car been sitting unused for a while? This might help figure out if you're dealing with the same problem I had.

Thanks for sharing your experience! Mine's also at 159902 KM and just had its service last month. I'm seeing the same symptoms you described, only the emergency call error message for now. The issue started about a week ago, and yes, the car was parked for about 2 weeks while I was away. Your solution sounds promising since our situations seem pretty similar. I'll check with my mechanic about the auxiliary battery replacement. Really appreciate the detailed info about your fix!

Oh hey again! Thanks for the extra details, that really helps paint the picture. Yeah, those two weeks of sitting definitely sounds familiar to my situation. When hybrids sit for a while, these auxiliary batteries can get pretty moody! Just to add to my previous experience, after I got the battery replaced, I've made it a habit to take my BMW for a good 20-30 minute drive at least once a week, even if I'm not really going anywhere. It's helped keep the new battery in better shape, and I haven't had any emergency call system issues since then. Given your mileage and the fact that you've had a recent service, it's even more likely we're dealing with the same issue. Funny enough, my regular mechanic told me they see this quite often with our hybrid models, especially after periods of inactivity. Quick tip from my experience: when they replace the battery, make sure they register/code the new one in the car's system. My first mechanic didn't do this, and I had to go back because some warning messages stayed on. Just something to keep in mind! Let me know how it goes with your mechanic. I'm curious if it turns out to be the same fix!

Thanks so much for the follow-up and those extra tips! That's super helpful, especially about the 20-30 minute weekly drives, definitely going to start doing that. And I really appreciate the heads-up about coding the new battery into the system, wouldn't have known to ask about that! Just called my mechanic and booked an appointment for tomorrow morning. He seemed to agree with your diagnosis right away when I mentioned the symptoms and the two-week parking period. Said he's got the right auxiliary battery in stock too, which is great news. Really glad I asked here, saved me a lot of worry and guesswork. Will definitely update you on how it goes after the repair. Thanks again for sharing all your experience with this!