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      05-15-2017, 01:20 PM   #1
Matticus91
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Post DIY Battery Replacement and Coding with Carly

If your battery is dead and you need to replace it, or you're just looking to swap for something lighter, head on over to your local dealership and find out what they charge for a replacement.

For me? $195 for the battery, and $231 for the installation. $431+tax for a new battery!!! What??!?

Ok now that we've had our wtf moment, let's look at our options:
  1. Eat it. Bend over and fork over your hard-earned money. Or your not-so-hard-earned money... I'm looking at you, trust fund babies.
  2. Buy a battery and install it without coding, risk of fire/death/explosions are legit. Your call.
  3. Buy a battery from the dealership and install/code it yourself. Still pricey, but dat warranty tho.
  4. Buy a battery elsewhere that matches the OE specs, and install/code it yourself. Cheapest option for sure!


Personally, I'm going to run through option 3! I opted for a battery from the dealership because the price wasn't TOO ridiculous and it helps keep my warranty company from questioning any claims if I have all BMW equipment in the car.

Let's get started shall we?

NOTE: I will be using the Carly for BMW app, with an android device. This app has MANY features beyond what we'll use it for in this DIY, and in my opinion is well worth the cost. You can perform the same battery coding with other systems/software, feel free to shop around!

What you'll need:
  • Socket wrench and extensions, also a socket screwdriver helps
  • 10mm socket
  • 13mm socket
  • New Battery (range from $100-$200)
  • Carly App for BMW PRO (~$60)
  • Carly Adapter (the original Gen 1 will work for this, Gen 2 is more $ but has more features ~$50)
  • Unlock the Carly battery Coding option (~$10)

Total: $220-320 depending on battery choice, and about 15 mins of your time. The bonus here is that you now have the Carly app, adapter, and all of it's abilities at your fingertips.

Since I already had the app, this only cost me $185 after my core charge for the battery.

Step 1:
Open your windows, doors, hood and trunk. This is just to prevent any chance of getting locked out of the car or not having access to something you need. Once that's done, open up the trunk and lift the tray cover that is over the battery. Use something to prop it up on the left hand side. Remove the bar over top of the battery, it uses a 10mm nut on each side.

To prevent the risk of electrical shock and/or death, disconnect the NEGATIVE line from the battery first. It uses a 10mm nut, do not fully remove the nut, just loosen it and pull the connection off and push it out of the way, hold it away with something non-conductive to make things easier.


Step 2:
To remove the positive connections, you'll be best off disconnecting the loom up top first. In the picture below, uncover and unscrew the two 13mm nuts circled in orange. The one toward the bottom of the image has a cable you can remove to make it easier to move things around. Then do the same for the one circled in blue (just loosen, don't fully remove). You'll also need to disconnect the vent thing that I am holding in the image, and is circled in green. Do not forget the vent thing.

Carefully remove the loom once everything is disconnected. Prop it off to the side and out of the way, doing the same with the positive terminal connection.


Step 3:
Remove the battery hold-down bracket on the side with the negative terminal, it uses a 10mm bolt and can be tricky to reach, this is the time to use the socket screwdriver if you have one, or some extra long extensions. Once that's out you can lift the battery up and out.



For kicks, I measured the voltage on both batteries, the old one came out of the car minutes after driving it, and was only reading 10.5v already.


The new battery was right on the nose at 12.4v and looking good! Note it's a slightly longer case, it still fits and this is apparently the standard size now for BMW.


Step 4:
Drop the new battery in, being careful not to pin any wires or the little vent thing. The bottom of the battery slides into a tab toward the front of the car, and the bracket holds down the side toward the back of the car. Getting that little bracket back in can be a PITA if you have big hands. A magnetic socket would be great here.

Reconnect the positive terminal and tighten down the 10mm nut, then place the loom back on top and reconnect the lower cable if you disconnected it earlier. Plug the vent thing back in the side of the battery case. Reconnect the negative terminal only once you've confirmed everything is properly connected and secure. The car should buzz back to life and you should see lights come on. If not, disconnect the negative and check your steps.


Step back and look at what you've accomplished all by your lonesome.



GOOD JOB. Beer time.

Ok now it's time to code in the new battery, Carly could not have made this easier.

Step 6:
Turn the ignition on without turning the car on, and plug the Carly OBDII adapter into the OBD port right next to your hood-release latch (has a small plastic cover). Turn on the bluetooth for your phone and pair the adapter. Open the app and hit connect, make sure you have a full connection and that the app says it identified the engine or it will not work. You may need to disconnect/connect a couple times to get a stable connection, the GenII adapter is better for this reason.
You should see "connected" on the bottom of the app home screen. Once connected, tap the "Battery" option.


You'll get this screen, if you haven't already purchased the battery registration option, do so now and then hit continue:


Read & scroll to the bottom of the warning, check the "Understood" box, and hit OK to continue:


Select your battery type, top option if no change to type/specs:


Hit "Register new battery now" once type is chosen or new battery info is entered:


Not much will change, but you're done! You'll see the text "New battery registered successfully" indicating you're finished. Close the app and shut down the car.


FINITO! You've just saved money, gotten access to some cool features of your car, and you'll save even more money next time or by helping a friend with your app!
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Last edited by Matticus91; 04-18-2018 at 01:14 PM..
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      05-15-2017, 02:46 PM   #2
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Thanks. Great write up!

Your battery is the exact one in my car - same part nos and specs - so I'm probably not too far from needing to replace.

I noticed the new battery seems to have vent caps. Is it not maintenance free (sealed) like your old one?
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      05-15-2017, 03:29 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gjm120 View Post
Thanks. Great write up!

Your battery is the exact one in my car - same part nos and specs - so I'm probably not too far from needing to replace.

I noticed the new battery seems to have vent caps. Is it not maintenance free (sealed) like your old one?
Glad to help! And good question I'll have to take another look, I honestly hadn't noticed, I just assumed it was the same maint-free setup.
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      05-15-2017, 07:49 PM   #4
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Good job.

I'm bookmarking this for future reference.
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      05-15-2017, 09:15 PM   #5
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Great write up. Do you not have to wait for the car to go to sleep before disconnecting the battery? Seems like that was an important step on my E39.
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      05-18-2017, 01:50 PM   #6
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This should be a sticky.
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      05-18-2017, 01:54 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bmw1racer View Post
Good job.

I'm bookmarking this for future reference.


Quote:
Originally Posted by PDXE82 View Post
Great write up. Do you not have to wait for the car to go to sleep before disconnecting the battery? Seems like that was an important step on my E39.
Honestly I've never done this, and neither has anyone else that I know of. That said it can't hurt to be extra cautious.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ayao View Post
This should be a sticky.
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      05-18-2017, 11:40 PM   #8
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Quote:
Do you not have to wait for the car to go to sleep before disconnecting the battery?
Yes, definitely, unless you want to frizazzle one of your ecu's...

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      06-13-2017, 12:12 PM   #9
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Just did mine last week, you don't have to remove the other two nuts on the power junction box. Just the one that connects it to the battery. Took all of 2 minutes to remove/install.
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      06-13-2017, 02:27 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by printerror View Post
Just did mine last week, you don't have to remove the other two nuts on the power junction box. Just the one that connects it to the battery. Took all of 2 minutes to remove/install.
Of the 3 nuts circled, is it the one that has a torque spec pointed to it?
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      06-19-2017, 03:18 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gjm120 View Post
Of the 3 nuts circled, is it the one that has a torque spec pointed to it?
Only the one circled in blue.
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      06-19-2017, 09:11 PM   #12
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Quote:
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Only the one circled in blue.
Thanks
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      07-12-2017, 01:30 PM   #13
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Do I need the carly adapter?

I recently bought a BAFX OBDII Bluetooth Scan Tool, I was wondering if that would work. It seems to connect through the Carly Lite app. I just want the Carly App to register battery only. I think its absurd to have to spend so damn much for the app and adapter then having to pay to register the battery. Thanks in advance to anyone who has this answer.
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      07-12-2017, 01:54 PM   #14
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Great write up. I'll have to reference this when I get a lightweight battery.
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      07-12-2017, 02:25 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by J-Sin View Post
I recently bought a BAFX OBDII Bluetooth Scan Tool, I was wondering if that would work. It seems to connect through the Carly Lite app. I just want the Carly App to register battery only. I think its absurd to have to spend so damn much for the app and adapter then having to pay to register the battery. Thanks in advance to anyone who has this answer.
Any adapter that supports all OBDII protocols should work.
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      09-09-2017, 01:14 PM   #16
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A useful tip for everyone:

The metal hold-down bracket is really tricky to get fastened down when you are installing the new battery. The solution that I found is to just barely tighten the bracket's bolt before placing the battery. This makes the bracket easy to move around. Then, use a straightened out metal coat hanger to adjust the bracket position as you move the battery into place. The coat hanger solves the problem of not being able to squeeze your hand down there to align things.
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      09-25-2017, 12:56 PM   #17
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I just did this over the weekend. You do not need to do Step 2 (with the two 13mm nuts) to remove the IBS (Intelligent Battery Sensor) red thing. Instead, there are two metal clips that you just pop off. Just make sure you make room for it when you put the battery in. A helping hand from a friend will do since the battery is pretty heavy.

Also, I went with an AGM battery which does NOT have vent tubes. The stock BMW does since it is lead acid. Also, check for leaks. I had battery acid leak which smells like stale beer which is why I wanted an AGM battery which is fully sealed.
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      11-11-2017, 09:27 PM   #18
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Did mine with the Walmart Everstart MAXX H8 ($122), Carly Gen 2 adapter for iPhone ($82), Carly Pro App ($45), and Battery option ($10). Total is $259 vs the dealer quote of $430.

Original battery was stamped 10/2009 and cold starts in the morning we’re slow so I figured it was time.

I was also able to code a few things. Mainly, windows up with holding lock on fob and more welcome lights on in the rear with unlock.
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      11-12-2017, 03:31 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmerboyE92 View Post
Did mine with the Walmart Everstart MAXX H8 ($122), Carly Gen 2 adapter for iPhone ($82), Carly Pro App ($45), and Battery option ($10). Total is $259 vs the dealer quote of $430.

Original battery was stamped 10/2009 and cold starts in the morning we’re slow so I figured it was time.

I was also able to code a few things. Mainly, windows up with holding lock on fob and more welcome lights on in the rear with unlock.
Great success!
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      11-18-2017, 12:49 PM   #20
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Thank you!

Thank you so much for this post. I got my battery changed for only $176 all told. Upgraded to 900cca in the process.
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      11-20-2017, 09:08 AM   #21
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Quote:
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Thank you so much for this post. I got my battery changed for only $176 all told. Upgraded to 900cca in the process.
Brilliant that's the goal!
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      11-20-2017, 10:26 AM   #22
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Now if you notice slow starts AFTER changing your battery then it is soon time for a starter.......
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