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Thread: 2006 E46 - Replace battery.. reprogram computer. Really?

  1. #1
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    2006 E46 - Replace battery.. reprogram computer. Really?

    So I have a 2006 325ci E46 coupe. It is 2019 and I just now have had to replace the battery. 13 years! Now, I have heard a lot about having the "reprogram" the computer to the new battery and I have yet to find conclusive info. Most people say they have no issues. I replaced with a Duralast H7-DLG (basically drop in replacement). I even came across some video detailing the order to remove the cables which I did. Put everything back together..bang car turns over like a champ. No check engine light, no issues with radio. Only had to set the clock. According to one site the only models that need this "reprogramming" treatment are:

    2002 and newer 7-Series E65/E66 chassis
    2003 and newer 6-Series E63/E64 chassis
    2004 and newer 5-Series E60/E61 chassis
    2005 and newer X5 E53 chassis with N62 engine
    2006 and newer 3-Series E90/E91/E92/E93 chassis
    2007 and newer X5 E70 chassis
    2008 and newer X6 E71 chassis

    AKA: not my vehicle.

    To make things more confusing..the main indicator that programming is needing is a circuit board attached to the NEG terminal (not on mine either). Also, I have been checking battery voltage and alternator voltage through the instrument cluster. So far the battery is holding strong at 12.5V, and the alternator is 14.1-14.3 depending on accessory usage. Should I really be concerned with damage to my vehicle?

  2. #2
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    No. There is no need to 'program' a new battery in any E46, only for newer models.

  3. #3
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    2006 E46 - Replace battery.. reprogram computer. Really?

    Just find the same or similar battery new and replace the old battery.

    You will need to set the car’s clock after replacing the battery.

  4. #4
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    No reprogramming or "registering" a new battery necessary in an E46. If there is a long period that the car sits without the battery in it you might lose long term fuel trims, but thats it. No biggie.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by BMWguy711 View Post
    So I have a 2006 325ci E46 coupe. It is 2019 and I just now have had to replace the battery. 13 years! Now, I have heard a lot about having the "reprogram" the computer to the new battery and I have yet to find conclusive info. Most people say they have no issues. I replaced with a Duralast H7-DLG (basically drop in replacement). I even came across some video detailing the order to remove the cables which I did. Put everything back together..bang car turns over like a champ. No check engine light, no issues with radio. Only had to set the clock. According to one site the only models that need this "reprogramming" treatment are:

    2002 and newer 7-Series E65/E66 chassis
    2003 and newer 6-Series E63/E64 chassis
    2004 and newer 5-Series E60/E61 chassis
    2005 and newer X5 E53 chassis with N62 engine
    2006 and newer 3-Series E90/E91/E92/E93 chassis
    2007 and newer X5 E70 chassis
    2008 and newer X6 E71 chassis

    AKA: not my vehicle.

    To make things more confusing..the main indicator that programming is needing is a circuit board attached to the NEG terminal (not on mine either). Also, I have been checking battery voltage and alternator voltage through the instrument cluster. So far the battery is holding strong at 12.5V, and the alternator is 14.1-14.3 depending on accessory usage. Should I really be concerned with damage to my vehicle?

    Agreed with later posters, no reprogramming necessary. One trick, however, to preclude any memory issues in the car like seat memories, radios/radio clock and instrument panel clock, perhaps fuel trim, etc., is to use a battery jumper on the terminal clamps in the engine compartment before you remove the battery. Just put a plastic ziplock bag over the positive terminal clamp on the trunk battery when you remove it to preclude it touching anything, wrap it up with electrical tape out of the way. Then remove the negative terminal clamp and the battery vent hose (watch for the right angle nipple that is stuck in the battery...new one won't come with it!) and remove/replace the battery, etc.

  6. #6
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    Always remove the negative/ground/earth cable from the battery FIRST. The only thing you’ll loose when swapping the battery is the time in the clock. Now, if you leave the car without power fir a day or so you will likely loose the radio presets.

  7. #7
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    ^ very important and excellent advice.

  8. #8
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    I have the same vehicle, 2006 325ci with 43K mi. which I store every winter. I usually start the car every week while it's stored but this year missed a couple of weeks at the end of winter and the battery went completely dead so I left it alone. This spring I replaced the battery, the car started fine but the "check engine soon" light on the dash went on and doesn't go off. All maintenance was up to date before I put it away for the winter. It's difficult to believe that there's anything wrong mechanically with the engine but I'm definitely not a mechanic. Any ideas on how to get the light to go off without incurring the cost of a mechanic?

  9. #9
    dworthy's Avatar
    dworthy is offline Wagon meister :) BMW Tech Expert
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    You can buy yourself a pocket scanner, or something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Veepeak-OBDCh...gateway&sr=8-4

    Okay, now some unasked for advice.
    1) Pull the battery out of the car when you store it. Buy a battery charger, and charge the battery once a month.
    2) You are doing more harm than good starting the car and not driving it around during the winter.
    3) Add fuel stabilizer to the gas, and fill it all the way to the top.
    Darin
    Current:
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    05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
    05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
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    84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
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  10. #10
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    For the record - I have a 2007 E92 that’s had multiple battery changes - never done any “reprogramming”

  11. #11
    dworthy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Liquidity View Post
    For the record - I have a 2007 E92 that’s had multiple battery changes - never done any “reprogramming”
    And that is why every couple of years you need a new battery.
    Darin
    Current:
    16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
    05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
    05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
    Past:
    95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
    84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
    91 316i euro Tizianrot/Gray cloth - E-36 w/M-40 RIP, but great on gas! Best was 38 MPG
    82 528i euro Saphire Blue Met/Blue Leather RIP
    79 525 euro Green/Green RIP
    79 318 Silver/Black - The first one that got it all started
    M-Flight Member

  12. #12
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    That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. Never had a battery go bad “every couple years.” I pulled the stock one out and put in an odyssey 925. About a year later I moved that to my other car after I broke a terminal off, and put in a used junkyard battery. When my new battery arrived, it went back in. Then I just pulled it out again to use in another e46 I’m building.

  13. #13
    dworthy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Liquidity View Post
    That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. Never had a battery go bad “every couple years.” I pulled the stock one out and put in an odyssey 925. About a year later I moved that to my other car after I broke a terminal off, and put in a used junkyard battery. When my new battery arrived, it went back in. Then I just pulled it out again to use in another e46 I’m building.
    Wow, if you are removing the battery every year, it doesn't have time to go bad.

    How about doing this, learn what the E-9x needs before commenting on the subject mate.
    Darin
    Current:
    16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
    05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
    05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
    Past:
    95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
    84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
    91 316i euro Tizianrot/Gray cloth - E-36 w/M-40 RIP, but great on gas! Best was 38 MPG
    82 528i euro Saphire Blue Met/Blue Leather RIP
    79 525 euro Green/Green RIP
    79 318 Silver/Black - The first one that got it all started
    M-Flight Member

  14. #14
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    You don’t even have any experience with batteries going bad - who do you think you’re fooling? And “Wow” yourself with your pathetic bmw ownership list in your signature - I’ve owned more BMW’s than you as well as many other cars.

    And my odyssey had been in the car for a total of almost 5 years. Still doing just fine.
    Last edited by Liquidity; 06-21-2019 at 01:18 PM.

  15. #15
    dworthy's Avatar
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    Really? How old are you, I haven't had a conversation like this since High School.

    Anyway, for those searching on thread to actually find an answer:

    The E-46's do not need to have the battery registered, for it still has stock voltage regulator.

    If you own a newer E-9x series of vehicle, the DME controls the voltage output based on the age of the battery as it was registered. If you do not register a new battery, you run the risk of over-charging the battery, thus a shorter lifespan.
    Darin
    Current:
    16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
    05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
    05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
    Past:
    95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
    84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
    91 316i euro Tizianrot/Gray cloth - E-36 w/M-40 RIP, but great on gas! Best was 38 MPG
    82 528i euro Saphire Blue Met/Blue Leather RIP
    79 525 euro Green/Green RIP
    79 318 Silver/Black - The first one that got it all started
    M-Flight Member

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