What Problems Can A Weak Battery Cause In A BMW?

From aiding the ignition process to providing power to lights; everyone is familiar with the role of the battery in supporting the vehicle's electrical system. But very few people know how many problems a weak car battery can cause. This blog post throws light on some of them. Let's start by discussing the factors that cause a car battery to lose its charge-holding capacity.

Why Do Car Batteries Weaken Over Time?

Case #1- Extreme environmental temp.

Have you ever wondered how your car battery stores electricity??? Well, the answer is – in the form of chemical energy. At any given time, several chemical reactions take place inside the battery to store the electricity generated by the alternator as well as to meet the car's electricity demand. Extreme hot or cold temperatures can take a toll on these chemical reactions. In this process, the electrical energy storage capacity of the battery gets limited to a great extent.

Case #2- A fault in the charging system

Another factor that can contribute to the weakening of your car battery is a faulty charging system. The charging system essentially recharges the battery while you drive. If there is something off with the charging system, there won't be enough charge available for the battery. If the issue persists for a very long time, the battery will become weak. So, if you don't want your BMW battery to die prematurely, you should ensure the upkeep of its charging system.

Case #3- Old age

Look… modern batteries have better charge-holding capacity. But, they are not invulnerable to old age. They lose their charge-holding capacity as the time passes by and after- say- three to five years, they die. Evaluating the charge holding capacity of the battery from time to time is therefore advised. And, if your BMW battery has reached the end of its lifespan, get it replaced.

Case #4- Human error

Knowingly or unknowingly you may be causing trouble for your BMW battery. Yup, you read that right… If you take too many short trips, it will impact your vehicle’s battery in a very negative way. Also, leaving the lights on when the vehicle is parked can contribute to the weakening of the battery.

Weakening Of the Car Battery & Its Effects

Effect #1- The engine won't start

The most common occurrence in a vehicle with a defective battery is ignition trouble. After all, it is the battery that nourishes the ignition system, starter motor, and other major components involved in starting the engine. If the battery is weak and old, the said components won’t get the requisite power required to start the ignition. That said, you must look after your BMW battery, if there is indeed something off with the battery, have it replaced.

Effect #2- Electrical accessories won’t power on

Another common phenomenon in a vehicle with a weak battery is that the electrical components behave abnormally as if they have gone crazy. The headlights, instrument cluster lights, and other lights will start flickering. Radio and other key electrical appliances will operate abnormally as there is simply not enough charge left in the battery to support those parts.

Effect #3- Impact on engine operation

Modern cars are all about sensors and computers. There is a network of computers that control almost all aspects of car operation, including how the engine operates. And guess what??? All these computers require a steady supply of electricity to run. If there is some fault in the battery or circuit that is responsible for providing power to these computers, its effect will be visible on the engine operation.

Effect #4- Transmission failure

This will not only affect the engine, if there is something wrong with the battery then there will be problems in the transmission as well. So, if your BMW transmission has been showing unusual behavior lately, it is crucial that you get the battery tested immediately.

The Gist Of This Discussion Is…

The battery is an important part of your vehicle; fulfilling the energy demand of all electrical accessories including the lights. So, obviously… if it gives up, your vehicle run into all sorts of electrical troubles. Knowing when your BMW battery is giving up can help you deal with all the major electrical problems.