Anyone Else Not Doing the Battery Cable Recall?

[dsh135]

I still haven't done the battery cable recall that came out more than a year ago. At the time I thought it seemed like a fairly minor/unlikely issue so I've just ignored it and haven't had a problem. Has anyone actually had the battery cable fail or know of someone who has? I'll probably bring it in at some point but right now but I'm wondering how significant this issue really is?

[MightyMouseTech]

Is there not a risk of fire with the old cable? I would consider that significant.

[631twentyeighteye]

I haven't bothered yet. i know how terrible BMW service dept can be and i don't want those monkeys tearing apart my entire interior to replace it. I'll only do it if i have to.

[Downeaster1]

It's not a fire thing. The battery cable "may" become disconnected from the FRM behind the glovebox and that would kill power to just about everything in the car. It's an issue because it could happen when driving and some people don't understand to pull off the road when you're car isnt working (personally I feel this is natural selection hard at work). You're not in any danger of your car catching fire though

[litebulb]

They only add some extra cable in the battery area. I'm pretty sure they don't touch anything in your cabin.

Originally Posted by 631twentyeighteye

I haven't bothered yet. i know how terrible BMW service dept can be and i don't want those monkeys tearing apart my entire interior to replace it. I'll only do it if i have to.

[Esteban]

I saw a PDF of how this is done a year or so ago. If I remember correctly they have to pry up some of the carpet in the front passenger area and remove the glove box or part of the dash.

I have talked to three different dealers in my area around the time I saw that PDF, and one of those three dealers had one battery cable in just one car become disconnected, so I think the odds are pretty good that it won't happen considering this battery cable recall affects more than 500,000 cars in the US and Canada.

I'm gonna bet on those odds and not get that battery cable recall done because I don't want them tearing up my car.

Maybe Downeaster1 can tell us exactly what happens during this battery cable repair procedure.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Makes no logical sense to skip a recall.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

Makes no logical sense to skip a recall.

I explained my logic. I don't want the dealer tearing up my car, especially when the odds are what they are.

[e36addict]

I did it to my car simply because I trust myself... But if I was in anyone else's shoes I probably wouldn't do it for the same reasons. I've seen some hack jobs done by butcher techs. You need to get to know a good tech!

[Eyeman]

I haven't done it. Don't plan to. My dealership would probably just deny fixing mine due to my lightweight battery mod! (that's sarcasm btw, they initially denied HPFP warranty work due to my mods, I had to take it to the national level to get the HPFP done)

[Dackelone]

I believe most car only need a new crimp connector. But on some cars that show signs of wire melting/over heating... yes, they might have to replace some of the cable. Here is the pdf. Btw... I would have it done ASAP.

[dsh135]

Well, I'm booked in for the VANOS bolts recall so I guess I'll have them do the cable at the same time and hope they don't create any issues where none have existed so far.

[Downeaster1]

Originally Posted by litebulb

They only add some extra cable in the battery area. I'm pretty sure they don't touch anything in your cabin.

This.

[Lexington]

Thought the only thing they do in the battery area is to disconnect the battery.

PROCEDURE
Note: The following work was performed on an E90. Other models may vary slightly.
1. Move the passenger seat all the way back to ensure ample room for working in the passenger
footwell area.
2. Remove the glove box. Refer to ISTA Repair Instructions, “51 16 366 Removing and installing
right glove box with housing.”
For E89, steps 3-7 are not necessary.
3. Remove the Junction Box Electronics. Refer to ISTA Repair Instructions, “61 35 107 Removing
and installing or replacing Junction Box Electronics.”
4. Before proceeding to the next step, ensure that the battery is disconnected.

[Downeaster1]

Originally Posted by Lexington

Thought the only thing they do in the battery area is to disconnect the battery.

Also this.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by EvenEsteban

I explained my logic. I don't want the dealer tearing up my car, especially when the odds are what they are.

No logic involved, just a pair of competing "maybes". Maybe it will be OK if I don't do anything against maybe they might do something wrong during the repair.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

No logic involved, just a pair of competing "maybes". Maybe it will be OK if I don't do anything against maybe they might do something wrong during the repair.

It doesn't matter now anyway because I talked to some other people who are in the know about these things and was convinced to have it done. My car's at the dealer right now getting the battery cable recall and the vanos bolts recall, plus my last free oil change before my warranty expires this Thursday.

[JimD]

Originally Posted by EvenEsteban

It doesn't matter now anyway because I talked to some other people who are in the know about these things and was convinced to have it done. My car's at the dealer right now getting the battery cable recall and the vanos bolts recall, plus my last free oil change before my warranty expires this Thursday.

Good. I think most recalls are probably not going to trip up most cars. But if you skip one and your's is the car that needed it.... In addition, it could impact your ability to sell your car when the time comes.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by JimD

Good. I think most recalls are probably not going to trip up most cars. But if you skip one and your's is the car that needed it.... In addition, it could impact your ability to sell your car when the time comes.

A few different people on this forum with experience and knowledge regarding the battery cable recall have encouraged me and ultimately convinced me that it is the right thing to do. I plan on keeping this car so it's best to get all necessary recall work done and keep it up to date. I just hope I get it back in the same condition I left it, which was basically perfect.

[JimD]

Originally Posted by EvenEsteban

A few different people on this forum with experience and knowledge regarding the battery cable recall have encouraged me and ultimately convinced me that it is the right thing to do. I plan on keeping this car so it's best to get all necessary recall work done and keep it up to date. I just hope I get it back in the same condition I left it, which was basically perfect.

I hope so too. Mine came back fine from this repair. I grouped my recalls with other "free" service when I could to avoid an extra trip to the dealer.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by JimD

I hope so too. Mine came back fine from this repair. I grouped my recalls with other "free" service when I could to avoid an extra trip to the dealer.

I did this as well. Battery cable recall, Vanos bolts recall and last free oil change before warranty expires. Got it back Thursday in the same condition as I left it. Perfect. I'm happy I did it. Thanks to all who gave me good advice.

[hlmiii]

Originally Posted by EvenEsteban

I saw a PDF of how this is done a year or so ago. If I remember correctly they have to pry up some of the carpet in the front passenger area and remove the glove box or part of the dash.

Correct.

I watched the work on my car (1M). It is a straightforward, technically simple replacement of the cable which starts at the battery and terminates in the fuse box. The cable runs under the carpet, parallel to the passenger door sill.

If done with even moderate care, the work is undetectable; there is no reason for it to leave any consequences. It may look a bit threatening, but it is no more serious than what many/most people here do on a Saturday afternoon with a minor mod.

The chances of a problem with the original cable are small. But if there is a failure, the results could be serious.
Have the work done. There is no reason not to.