How to Reset BMW x5 Computer After Battery Change (HOW TO RESET BMW COMPUTER)

Last updated on August 1st, 2023 at 08:04 am

Did you recently change your BMW batteries and now you are looking for how to reset the BMW computer? In this post, I will show how to reset BMW x5 computer after battery change.

BMWs are sophisticated cars, most of the diagnostics and displays are run by a computer system.

Whenever you have maintenance done on your car like changing the oil, battery replacement, your mechanic will need to reset the computer to start counting again till your next service time.

What if you want to replace the battery or change the oil and filter yourself then you have to read post this article to see how to do so.

It will then require you to also know how to reset BMW computer after battery change or filter and oil change.

This post will help you see how you can do that.

Also, read this post on BMW replacement and reprogramming codes for all BMW series that requires reset after battery change.

The Battery reprogramming

Battery reprogramming or coding occurs if a different battery has been fitted, it is interesting that the car knows the specs of this new battery to modify its entire charging algorithm. For example,

A 2006 BMW 330i E90 model will provides the following choices when programming a battery in:

90Ah, 90Ah AGM, 80Ah AGM, 80Ah, 70Ah, 70Ah AGM, 55Ah, 46Ah.

And suppose our high spec model came with a 90Ah AGM battery and was programmed for it, but you wants to save money by fitting in a 55Ah lead/calcium battery.

And also, apart from the real capacity issues, we all know that the car is going to use an AGM based charging strategy which will be terrible for a lead/calcium.

But on the other side, you are doing less driving now and an upgrade to an AGM better suited to the downtime is preferable. Note that the charge strategy needs to know this to avoid any overcharging.

On both situations, it will result in drastically reduced battery life if not programmed in properly.

Note that makes like VW calls for a specific code to be entered and if your physically correct aftermarket battery does not have a manufacturer recognised code printed on it, your best bet will be to match up and then enter a code with the same chemistry and specs as the battery you are installing. But this is of course not ideal though.

You should also know that if a battery is staying with the same chemistry, but the Ah rating is actually changing, although we recommend reprogramming the correct rating in, physically going up in Ah – ‘capacity’ – it shouldn’t be an issue.

But in case the system intends to maintain the battery at about 80% State Of Charge (SOC), and then put some energy in, then the result will be that when it puts some energy in, there is more capacity to put even more in.

but if a smaller battery was actually installed, then the logic should still cut out based upon the SOC, but the conditions may be such that it causes overcharge or even puts too much energy in too quickly.

You should also know that the electrical system of the present-day model of BMWs are so complicated that it ensures a close charging as possible to all kind and age of the battery.

They have a computer program that is intended to control and run the alternator. However, after you must have replaced the battery, the BMWs computer is supposed to be aware of the changing.

so the equipment software needs to be informed on the updated vehicle from a standard Lead Acid Battery to an AGM, which simply means, Absorbent Glass Mat type and the reason being that it stores the electrical energy different from the primary battery.

Be aware that the process of updating the computer controlled alternator is what is known as battery resetting. Also know that the battery registration processes or failing to reset the computer after the battery charge won’t trigger the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) and (MIL) Malfunction Indicator Lamp. But however, the vehicle owner must be warned of the danger of skipping the BMW computer battery change, because this can result in shortening the life of the battery in the vehicle. And, it can damage the entire components of the electrical system of the car.

The primary reason why BMW develop the new way of regulating the charging performance by reset of BMW computer after battery change is about to improve the engine performance of the vehicle. However, unlike many people who really think that the company intends to make more sales, protecting the car owner’s wallet, or longer life batteries.

So many BMW automotive shops have experienced diagnosis problems by customers who fail to reset and install their BMW computer after changing the battery in less than a year. Note that the normal charging system of the vehicle usually reduces the life of an unregistered battery by enabling an aggressive battery charge especially in a cold-weather condition and it also damages the car control unit.

But in contrast with a Lead Acid batteries, the AGM battery does not hold the sulphuric acid freely in its casing. But the acid is instead bound into the fibre fleece glass. This is one of the reasons that no acid escapes in case the housing happens to damage. And moreover, the AGM battery is airtightly sealed to prevent water from entering into it.

So you should know that resetting the BMW computer after battery change does the following tasks:

It informs the computer that the new battery registration has been successful
It makes sure that the car battery registers 80% of the capacity as a reference point
It ensures that the Current Odometer readings are stored
It also enables battery storage statics such as battery temperature, voltage, current, and also charge levels are deleted.

Below are the BMWs versions that require a computer reset after Battery Change

The 2002 and newer 7-Series E65/E66 chassis
The 2007 and newer X5 E70 chassis
The 2003 and newer 6-Series E54/E63 chassis
The 2005 and newer X5 E53 chassis with N62 engine
The 2008 and newer X6 E71 chassis
The 2006 and newer 3-Series E90/E91/E92/E93 chassis
The 2004 and newer 5-Series E60/E61 chassis

For more details on this please read this other all the

HOW TO RESET BMW COMPUTER AFTER BATTERY CHANGE

To do this, please follow the steps below to reset a BMW computer.

You need to turn your ignition key to the accessory position when the lights and radio come on (that is before starting the car).
You need to press and hold the “Trip” button on the instrument panel until the red light comes on.
Next, press the Trip button a second time and then hold until Reset appears.
After which, press the Trip button a third time. Then, the BMW computer is now reset.

How to Reset BMW x5 Computer After Battery Change

Please watch this video to How to Reset BMW x5 Computer After Battery Change

Summary

Don’t ever gamble with resetting your BMW computer after the battery change. This procedure is cost-effective and will also ensure you enjoy the pleasures your BMW car gives. We have lots of reputable BMW car shops that are well equipped with training to ensure proper registration of your vehicle battery and also ensuring that the manufacturer’s warranty standards are okay. You can read this article where cover more step by step guide on BMW registration and how to go about it.

So I hope this post has helped you see How TO Reset BMW computer and in the video above you should have seen How to Reset BMW x5 Computer After Battery Change.

The steps on how to reset bmw computer after battery changes is not that complicated.

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