First Low Battery then Electronic System Malfunction then Tire Pressure Monitor error

[drdavidge]

Hi, I have a 2011 328xi. Today I left my apartment and drove to get gas 5 minutes away. While getting gas, the low battery light came on. I imagine it was from being cold outside, the short drive, and a 7 year old battery. Car started up right away after getting gas, and I drove for a few minutes when all of a sudden an error popped up saying "Electronic System Malfunction. Continued driving is Not Possible". Followed shortly after by a Tire Pressure Monitor Malfunction. I pulled over for a bit, shut off the car and restarted, and the only error was the TPM Malfunction. The weird thing was that it would go on and off. The car felt stable and everything felt okay, so I went ahead on my 2 hour drive I had to go on. On the drive, everything was fine except the TPM Malfunction / Inactive error message would come and go off every once in a while. I left the car for a few hours and made the 2 hours drive back home, with the same thing happening - TPM Malfunction / Inactive would come on for a few minutes, go away, and then nothing for a while, and then it would repeat. I'm so confused. Any idea what is going on?

[Pilgrim]

Yup. Your battery is crapping out. When these cars get weird, a 7-year-old battery is about the first place to look. And at 7 years, you won't be wasting money by replacing it. A steady, stable electrical system is critical to these cars. A dying battery can't provide that.

Time for a new one.

[drdavidge]

Thanks. What’s the recommended replacement I can pick up at a store for a 2011 328i xdrive sedan?

[TouringDan]

Here

[Pilgrim]

Choice #1: call the BMW dealer and see what they recommend.

Choice #2: call your local NAPA store and see what they offer (or go online, http://napaonline.com)

[Old525i]

Check your alternator for proper output voltage, just to be sure that battery is not at fault. My 2008 328i still has the original battery and alternator.
.