![]() 08/25/2020 at 13:18 • Filed to: Everything new is old again, i3, bmw i3, electric cars | ![]() | ![]() |
Up
Up
And away
As Verdog mentioned, a trickle charger won’t save the 12V battery in an i3, so off it went on a flatbed, this morning. At least it was disabled in neutral, so I didn’t have to worry about trying to get skates under it or anything.
Now I’m just waiting for the call from the service advisor to tell me that all sorts of ECUs are fried or otherwise fucked.
The faff continues unabated.
![]() 08/25/2020 at 13:31 |
|
I’m confused, just a dead 12V battery?
![]() 08/25/2020 at 13:33 |
|
![]() 08/25/2020 at 13:34 |
|
Offf good luck.
![]() 08/25/2020 at 13:36 |
|
Did you try bump starting it?
![]() 08/25/2020 at 13:37 |
|
EV’s act weird with a low charge on the 12V for sure. My 500e had a similar issue when I got it, with motor warnings. Disconnected it for 15 minutes or so and then put a new one in and it was as good as new.
![]() 08/25/2020 at 13:39 |
|
Looks like we know who won the war between how few things there are that can go wrong with an EV, and how many things often go wrong on an off-lease BMW.
Hope your problems are the simple and annoying variety and not the expensive variety.
![]() 08/25/2020 at 13:40 |
|
I
did
try starting it in emissions test mode, which should fire up the range extender, but no joy. It went into the mode, but wouldn’t crank.
![]() 08/25/2020 at 13:42 |
|
There is no cheap solution. One more reason always to always buy the warranty.
![]() 08/25/2020 at 13:48 |
|
Sonova...
![]() 08/25/2020 at 13:51 |
|
Understatement of the day, there.
![]() 08/25/2020 at 13:55 |
|
If they are fried you can swap in an LS.
![]() 08/25/2020 at 13:59 |
|
But I need the back seat for the kiddo.
![]() 08/25/2020 at 13:59 |
|
Stupid, but genuine question.
If the vehicl e has regenerative brakes, can you tow it to charge it? OR does the starter not run off that battery?
![]() 08/25/2020 at 14:03 |
|
That’s a good question— I’m guessing it’s the 12V that starts the rex, because the HV was at 78%, and didn’t start up automatically like it should in emissions mode.
Some EVs have a manual hookup for the 12V-HV... but not this one. If it’s discoupled (which it does when parked), and the 12V doesn’t have enough juice to the brain to unlock the goddamn charging flap, you’re (*
I’m*
)
hosed.
![]() 08/25/2020 at 18:02 |
|
Part of me wishes I had an i3. Except I need something with 5 seats.
The other part of me would be terrified to own a BMW, especially after seeing posts like this.
![]() 08/25/2020 at 22:20 |
|
It’s generally ok to get one off-lease, if you get a good warranty. The CPO warranty, especially, is great. They even changed my wiper blades and shit, when I had a CPO.
Of course, even though the 12V disables the vehicle, and you explicitly cannot jump-start it, they wouldn’t cover this one. So.... that sucked.
![]() 08/26/2020 at 05:12 |
|
this is why too much tech in a car sucks