BMW 3 Series E90 Battery Removal DIY How To Remove and Replace A BMW Battery Full Procedure

My Video shows how to remove and replace a BMW battery on a 3 Series E90. I go over tips and tricks and what to watch out for while doing the removal and installation of the battery. My video shows you start to finish on a battery replacement. Find me on facebook at Ask The BMW Expert.

[@reginaldcapers9478]

This was amazing and helpful. It was really step by step. Detailed instructions. I wouldn't have been able to change my own battery without this video. Thank you.

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Great to hear!

[@Lataro77]

I replaced the battery on the old girl (E91 320d) today following the instructions of this video and worked a treat, indi chap didn't even charge to reset the car with the new battery afterwards which was really nice of him! Just wanted to say thank you very much for posting this video, it helped a lot. All the best.

[@imranpasha123]

Excellent video, my BMW 3 series battery was totally dead, can't even jump start it.I almost thought of towing my car and take it to dealer but it would cost me atleast $1000 to get this replaced. Thanks alot for sharing this wonderful video, it was really easy to replace battery after watching your video. Keep up the good work.

[@K8MCL]

Thanks, this video really helped me and the fact it showed everything from start to finish. The only difference was that I had to use that 13mm socket to separate the red distribution box into two parts to gain better access for putting the new battery in. I actually kind of bent the contact holding the two parts together before I realised I had to do this, but got it back into shape when putting it back together. The long 10mm screw had a very small rubber washer like on the bottom of the part of the oil filter housing which comes out the top of the engine. This held the plate captive and it was actually really easy to put back in. Disconnecting the SOC connector definitely helped, and also the red positive lead going out of the red box, which I think you said goes to the engine.

[@champmav]

I don't know if you still check comments, but THANK YOU, your video really helped me out! I went ahead and made an appointment to have the car "reprogrammed" for the new battery at the dealership. SO expensive, and they say it will take half a day. I put in exactly the same battery I removed, so charging scheme should be the same, shouldn't it? Am I being taken advantage of (they said on the phone I need to do it)? Oh,well; at least I saved the battery installation labor charge, eh? And the cost of having the car towed to the dealership. I'll update this comment afterward for anyone interested. [2006 325i].

[@AskTheCarExperts]

The E90 battery is one of the most complex :) Thanks for watching and the great comment. Unfortunately there is no way to check battery life. A common life span of a BMW battery is 5 to 6 years. The tell tale sign of a weakening battery is that the crank may start to seem a bit sluggish on a cold day. Keeping a battery fully charged if you do short distance driving or if the vehicle sits will also help prolong battery life.

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Hello, Thanks for the great comment. I am glad my video was helpful :)

[@707ladytee]

Great instructions! My brother was close to detaching the battery but couldn't get those last few pieces...would highly recommend

[@joebakerii1741]

Good video. Took approximately 30 minutes total. Saved $250 over what BMW dealer wanted and got a battery with a six year warranty vice a BMW with a 2 year warranty. Only thing I had to reset was TIME. All other data was in place and paired with my iPhone immediately.

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Excellent Joe! That is great! Thanks for posting a comment!

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Thank you. Thanks for the comment :)

[@georgevega2783]

Awesome video! Super helpful. Thank you for the detailed demo.

[@AskTheCarExperts]

George Vega Thanks for the great comment!

[@readyplayer2]

+AskTheCarExperts Just a note for those with a 3 Series E91 (wagon) -- to access the battery, lift the removable tray that covers the floor and move out of the way. Like the E90, the battery is on the right side of the vehicle. You will need to remove the two slotted plastic screws at the base of the trim piece by turning 90 degrees and pulling out with your fingers. You can then pull the trim piece out at the top and tilt and lift it out of the slots at the bottom.

[@Milmaverick84]

Excellent Vid, Thanks

[@RaphaelPolanco]

Thank you!

[@crackpotoldtimer]

Very helpful!

[@vasmentoles]

Great video! The stealership tried to tell me that if I install the battery improperly, the Battery Safety Terminal (BST) connected to the positive pole can go off and that would have to be replaced for $500. Is there a chance the safety terminal goes off while replacing the battery on a 07 E90? Do i need to be careful about something that is not shown in this video? thanks! i got a BT tool to clear faults and register the battery if needed

[@snosebl33d]

Great video! I was also told i can hook up a trickle charger to the front of the vehicle so i don't have to lose my presetting with the vehicle. i just recently purchased a battery from Advance Auto parts and i was wondering do you have any advice to prevent that portion where the vehicle won't start once installed? i have a 2008 335i.

[@carmichaelyepez1]

Excellent!!! Can I jump start it to get my vehicle to my house from where it left me?

[@marcusai210]

Thanks!

[@gabeescobar167]

great video i used it to replace my battery today. Theres is a wire, at 4:28 of your video, that is connected/attached to the thick red wire going into the distribution panel. Does that wire plug into anywhere? couldn't find where it goes.....thanks

[@hi0sandiego]

Do you have to code the car to have it accept a new battery?

[@ronaldo27y]

And thats why i lov e old cars !

[@nasirg37]

Good video....

[@imranpasha123]

also, I have installed DieHard battery black into BMW 3series 2006 ,model. no registration required. it was a plug n play kind.

[@bmwnasher]

I agree. These modern cars are madness is this all this technology necessary.

[@stephanblack6987]

I ordered New battery from Interstate and it came smaller! I panicked at first thinking the hold down clamp would not work, but then when I removed the older larger battery, I saw there are several screw holes in the bottom to accept different size batteries and be able to hold them down

[@AskTheCarExperts]

The reason to code a BMW with a Battery replacement is if you are changing battery types or amp hours. If you are going from a white non AGM to a black AGM coding tells the vehicle of the change so it can charge differently. But I know people that have not bothered with any coding that do not have any problems after replacing and changine the battery. Normally if the same battery is put in, it is "registered" to the vehicle which then the vehicle keeps a battery log of replacement.

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Love this comment!!! I agree :) !

[@iversonjcameron]

with this type of car and no other do you have to do something to the computer when you change the battery I was told that it's not as simple as that anymore

[@AskTheCarExperts]

There is a lot of misconception on this topic. On newer BMW's that battery must be registered for the battery failed warning to go off. On older BMW's the registration is a battery log. It can effect overall charging strategy somewhat but I have replaced batteries on many vehicle with no registration with no problems. Now if you change the battery type or amp rating then it needs to be programmed so the system can charge the new battery correctly.

[@ramonvazquez_rei]

I disconnected the negative and I get an immediate alarm that won't stop unless I put the negative Cable back on. Any advice?

[@AskTheCarExperts]

It should not go off as long as the vehicle is unlocked using the remote.

[@319PurpleHaze]

Please help E90 2012 . Trunk got locked after i removed the bad battery and now it won't open to fit a new battery . Today even passed current via "+" from the engine compartment still the trunk did not open .. What do I do know ????

[@AskTheCarExperts]

+319PurpleHaze Hello, I have seen this occur before. You will need to have the trunk powered up from the junction box wiring. Best to have an experienced shop do this even the dealer because if you get it wrong you can damage your wiring harness and cost yourself a lot of money.

[@319PurpleHaze]

And this E90 model does not even have a key hole Above the license plate So that I can manually open with a key .

[@mabeach1]

Very helpful video. I have a 2008 335i and I replaced the battery with a lower AH. Is it required to reprogram? If it is, can it be done using any scanning tool, or does it have to be a bmw specific scanning tool?

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Mike Beach Hello Mike, I don't think you will have any problem with just leaving it the way it is but only the dealer or someone with BMW programming software will be able to program the vehicle for a lower amp hour rating. Unfortunately a generic scan tool doe snot have this ability. Not even a BMW scan tool. This is done through coding and programming.

[@mabeach1]

Awesome, thanks for responding so promptly! Also, I watched your N54 walk around video, and it's kind of scary how many problems these cars develop before 100k. I have 75k on mine, and I've already replaced the turbos, water pump/thermostat, a couple injectors...what's next? Carbon buildup? Think it might be time to pass this car along to someone else considering my CPO is now expired... I've owned two E46's and other than routine maintenance and window regulators, those cars were great! Once again, thanks for responding! It's awesome qualified people like you make these videos because reading these bimmer threads online is a lot like reading web MD

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Mike Beach Carbon is very common unfortunately. Just had one in the shop with misfires in cylinder 1. Swap coil and plug stayed in cylinder 1. Swapped injector still cylinder 1. Clean carbon = all is good :) Aprox 80,000 miles on the vehicle. Loved the Web MD comment!

[@dougbolt143]

Great Video. Been in the car business for 44 years and this was very well done. My daughter has a 2011 X3 that had a "Battery discharging while stopped" Message show up on her dash. I had noticed that it was cranking a little slower than before so I used your video and changed the battery which was OEM. Car started up great but the light is back on. I checked the charging system and it is charging. Could it be the Battery Distribution Module that is on top of the battery? Good Job, keep it up! THX Doug

[@AskTheCarExperts]

This is often an extra plug for a transport wire when the vehicle was new. Nothing goes to this wire if it is the one I am thinking of :)

[@90nadz]

Question Guys Do, I always take off the negative cable off first then the Positive after or can I start with the positive first?

[@AskTheCarExperts]

+90nadz It is a general rule of thumb to disconnect the negative cable first. I would stick with negative then positive and reverse for installation. Hope this helps!

[@90nadz]

Thank you. I managed to take it out today. Just charging the car battery now and will install it back after it's fully charged. Is there any indication or wayof finding out if I've an Alternator problem? Many Thanks AskTheCarExperts :)

[@AskTheCarExperts]

+90nadz Glad to hear. This is one of the more difficult batteries to remove. You can check your alternator using a volt meter. They can be purchases rather inexpensively. Go on the negative and positive and read the voltage with the car running. It should be around 14. 5 volts. Turn on all the loads like headlights radio seat heating and see if it can maintain at least 13.5 to 14.5 volts. If it start to drop below 12.5 it is not charging correctly.

[@90nadz]

You're a Star. Thank you so much. God bless! :)

[@AskTheCarExperts]

There should be no need. You will not lose your presets for the radio only the time and date. I do not like to use these on a BMW to prevent any issues by holding voltage while replacing the battery.

[@j.rraphard5609]

The Brits are nuts American cars are so simple your just replacing a dam battery

[@AskTheCarExperts]

LOL Yes indeed.