What to do? '15 550i secondary steering battery

walmark · 07-15-2020, 02:14 PM

I've been having some shuddering and hesitation in steering on my '15 550i, along with some occasional errors. The dealer says that it's the secondary battery for the power steering that is failing and needs to be replaced and registered. Since this is a maintenance item, it is not covered by the CPO - hence $727 (!).
I called local Indy shops but they haven't even heard of this. This is rare as only applies to V8 and diesel models. I need to respond quickly.
Let me know your thoughts or ideas if you have any.

Thanks!

Trainwreck914 · 07-15-2020, 03:55 PM

Just replace the battery yourself and see if the issue goes away

Qsilver7 · 07-15-2020, 05:56 PM

Ditto above. In many discussions across several F series BMW forums where the vehicle has either the auxiliary AGM battery or the 24 volt Lithium battery...many of them are NOT attached to the IBS (intelligent battery sensor)...but are charged by the main battery through a relay as well as having a charging unit for the aux battery (which is mentioned in the info you posted above from the TIS website).

The reason for battery registration for the main battery is due to the IBS’s monitoring of that battery. The aux battery is separated from the system by a relay that opens/closes...as well as being kept charged by the charging unit. If your car has the AGM battery...it may be currently a proprietary battery only sold by BMW...if so, you may have to bite the bullet on the cost of the battery...but save so of you money if you are handy enough to replace it yourself since it may not require registration (which may be an easy reach around from the dealer to take some extra cash from your wallet).

Here’s some info about the aux battery’s charging controller: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...ttery/GH1wlj6L

JackMikk · 07-16-2020, 04:06 PM

It will be better to notice for yourself. There are no problems, everything is easy.

walmark · 07-17-2020, 03:29 PM

Thank you all for your input!

In the end, I struck a deal and I had the dealer do it. If I took it back I would still be on the hook for "diagnostics" ($229) and the little EPS battery itself costs $274. The dealer agreed to deduce the diagnostic fee from the total so it ended up more-less the same.

wcr3d · 07-17-2020, 04:34 PM

Find a different dealer, there was no need for the diagnostic fee if you just told them to replace that battery. They did you no favor.

07-15-2020, 02:14 PM	#1
walmark Apprentice 86 Rep 491 Posts Drives: 550i F10 '15 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: SF Bay iTrader: (2)	What to do? '15 550i secondary steering battery I've been having some shuddering and hesitation in steering on my '15 550i, along with some occasional errors. The dealer says that it's the secondary battery for the power steering that is failing and needs to be replaced and registered. Since this is a maintenance item, it is not covered by the CPO - hence $727 (!). I called local Indy shops but they haven't even heard of this. This is rare as only applies to V8 and diesel models. I need to respond quickly. Let me know your thoughts or ideas if you have any. Thanks! Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

07-15-2020, 03:55 PM	#2
Trainwreck914 Lieutenant 130 Rep 452 Posts Drives: BMW F10 F15 E39 E90 E53 Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: NY CT iTrader: (0)	Just replace the battery yourself and see if the issue goes away
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-15-2020, 05:56 PM	#3
Qsilver7 Major General 4426 Rep 7,468 Posts Drives: F06 650ix GC / F15 X5 50i Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Indiana, USA iTrader: (0)	Ditto above. In many discussions across several F series BMW forums where the vehicle has either the auxiliary AGM battery or the 24 volt Lithium battery...many of them are NOT attached to the IBS (intelligent battery sensor)...but are charged by the main battery through a relay as well as having a charging unit for the aux battery (which is mentioned in the info you posted above from the TIS website). The reason for battery registration for the main battery is due to the IBS’s monitoring of that battery. The aux battery is separated from the system by a relay that opens/closes...as well as being kept charged by the charging unit. If your car has the AGM battery...it may be currently a proprietary battery only sold by BMW...if so, you may have to bite the bullet on the cost of the battery...but save so of you money if you are handy enough to replace it yourself since it may not require registration (which may be an easy reach around from the dealer to take some extra cash from your wallet). Here’s some info about the aux battery’s charging controller: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...ttery/GH1wlj6L __________________ 2015 F06 650ix Gran Coupe`(Moonstone/Cohiba Brown)\| 2014 F15 X5 50i MSport (Space Gray/Mocha) Become a BMW CCA member! Click HERE to join and feel free to use my BMW CCA member #191509 as a referral. Last edited by Qsilver7; 07-15-2020 at 06:01 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-16-2020, 04:06 PM	#4
JackMikk New Member 5 Rep 9 Posts Drives: BMW 7 and 5\ Camaro SS 19 Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	It will be better to notice for yourself. There are no problems, everything is easy.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-17-2020, 03:29 PM	#5
walmark Apprentice 86 Rep 491 Posts Drives: 550i F10 '15 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: SF Bay iTrader: (2)	Thank you all for your input! In the end, I struck a deal and I had the dealer do it. If I took it back I would still be on the hook for "diagnostics" ($229) and the little EPS battery itself costs $274. The dealer agreed to deduce the diagnostic fee from the total so it ended up more-less the same.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-17-2020, 04:34 PM	#6
wcr3d Captain 461 Rep 659 Posts Drives: 2013 535i XDrive M Sport Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Indiana iTrader: (0)	Find a different dealer, there was no need for the diagnostic fee if you just told them to replace that battery. They did you no favor.
	Appreciate 0 Quote