BMW X4 Battery Crisis: Starting Issues & System Failures

Had a similar issue with my 2017 BMW X3 last summer. Started with weak cranking, dim lights, and those annoying system failure warnings popping up on the dash. Took it to a BMW specialist and turned out the original battery was completely worn out. The cells were heavily sulfated, and the battery couldn't hold a proper charge anymore. These symptoms are classic signs of a failing battery, especially in modern BMWs with all their electronic systems. They tested the alternator and charging system too, all good. Just needed a new battery with proper coding to the car's computer. It was a serious repair since a failing battery can damage other electronic components if left too long. Been running perfectly since the replacement. These cars are pretty sensitive to battery health, so I'd suggest getting it checked soon. Make sure whoever does the work knows how to code BMW batteries, it's essential for these models.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful since it sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with. I should probably stop procrastinating and get it checked out before it gets worse. Just curious, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole thing? Also, has everything been smooth sailing since the battery replacement, or have you noticed any other quirks?

Hey there! Just wanted to follow up since I got it all sorted out. After seeing your similar symptoms, I took my X3 to a mechanic and you'll be glad to know all those undervoltage issues are completely gone now. The total bill came to 290 € for diagnosing and replacing the dead battery. Money well spent if you ask me, the car starts like a dream now, no more flickering lights or system warnings popping up. Such a relief! Since you asked about long-term performance, it's been running perfectly smooth. All those annoying electronic glitches disappeared as soon as they put in the new battery and programmed it properly. It's amazing how many problems a failing battery can cause in these modern BMWs! My advice? Don't wait too long like I did. The sooner you get it sorted, the less chance of it causing problems with other electronics. And make sure whoever works on it knows their way around BMW battery coding, it's crucial for these cars. Let me know if you need any other details about the repair. Happy to help!

Finally got around to taking my X4 to a new mechanic yesterday, so glad I did! The whole battery issue was way simpler than I expected. You were spot on about everything. The mechanic found my battery was completely shot and replaced it with a new one. The whole thing, including coding, cost me about 320 €. A bit pricey, but worth every penny. My car's running like new again, no more weak starts or flickering lights! Funny thing is, I was so worried about major engine problems, but it turned out to be just a tired battery. Should've done this weeks ago instead of stressing about it. The new mechanic was great too, really took the time to explain everything and show me the test results. Thanks again for pushing me to get it checked out. Definitely saved me from potentially bigger problems down the road!