Battery flat

[Andyk]

Well been away for 10 days and haven't used the CSL and the battery was flat. Put it on a trickle charger and it's OK now...I suppose this is normal as I don't do many miles the battery never gets recharged fully....will know next time to put it on charge.

[Mark CSL]

Was the CSL locked as it does not go into sleep mode if not locked

[Andyk]

It was locked Mark. The doors opened OK and the CD player worked but the engine would catch...just clicked when the key was turned.

[Gastro]

New battery needed ?

[Andyk]

New battery needed ?

Not so sure. I know a Lotus is a different kettle of fish but I always had to put them on a trickle charger if I went away for a few weeks. I only do around 6 miles a day so I would imagine the battery never gets to full capacity. All seems OK now But will get it checked out and see if a new one is needed, thanks.

[Mark CSL]

i was in florida for 30days and my csl started when i got back.

i left it open for 2 days in the garage and it would not start :banghead:

[Andyk]

i was in florida for 30days and my csl started when i got back.

i left it open for 2 days in the garage and it would not start :banghead:

Perhaps a new battery is in order then.

[derek]

bmw supplied me a battery as a goodwill gesture as its not covered under warrenty. Worth a try

[Andyk]

Spoke to an x BMW sales guy who said it was nothing to worry about as BMW's are notorious for it. He has a CSL also and he left it two weeks and had to put a trickle charger on it when he got back.

[derek]

worth checking for a dead cell, mines would start after about 6 weeks then when down to about 5 days , the charger indicated a dead cell and it was only charging to 70%

[Andyk]

worth checking for a dead cell, mines would start after about 6 weeks then when down to about 5 days , the charger indicated a dead cell and it was only charging to 70%

Cheers Derek, still planning to get it checked out.

[Mark CSL]

Just get a new Batt it will save a lot of hassel and you get a 2 year warranty
on it from BMW or 3 years if you buy 1 from Halfords :thumbs:

[Andyk]

How much are they these days Mark...have not purchased one for years.

[rs32]

does that standard M3 battery fit the CSL? Thought I read somewhere that it is more "juicy" and fits straight in ??

[Mark CSL]

How much are they these days Mark...have not purchased one for years.

BMW batt is about £80
As for the m3 batt fiting the CSL yes it does but might upset
the handeling as it is bigger :whistle:

[Andyk]

Thanks Mark....

'fits straight in' - why are they a pain in the arse to fit then.

[rs32]

:-D

[Andyk]

:-D

:wink: :hahaha: :whistle:

[Rags]

does that standard M3 battery fit the CSL? Thought I read somewhere that it is more "juicy" and fits straight in ??

My CSL has a standard battery, fits straight in.

No point farting about with dead batteries if you have no access to a trickle charger!

[Rags]

How much are they these days Mark...have not purchased one for years.

BMW batt is about £80
As for the m3 batt fiting the CSL yes it does but might upset
the handeling as it is bigger :whistle:

Battery is about £100 IIRC inc Vat!

[Andyk]

How much are they these days Mark...have not purchased one for years.

BMW batt is about £80
As for the m3 batt fiting the CSL yes it does but might upset
the handeling as it is bigger :whistle:

Battery is about £100 IIRC inc Vat!

Thanks Rags....don;t seem to be a problem now that I'm out and about again. We shall see.

[glendog74]

My battery went flat today when pissing about with the stereo without the engine running. I have only used the car 3 times in the past 2 months mind...! :smt104

Fine now after a charge :-D

[Andyk]

Left mine 2 weeks over Chrsitmas and went flat again....not concerned as asked my BMW dealer mate who said it happens to his CSL and when he worked for BMW it was always happening to their cars....notorious with some BMW's apparently. Once charged it's fine just then any more than 2 weeks without use it deosn't like.

[sailorbaz]

Anyone got any good links/websites where I can get my mits on a decent battery conditioner/trickle charger?

The one I have was a bit of a stop gap a mate bought after I left my 1st M3 without one. 6 years ago! Want one with a gauge and all, and was there not a mention of one that can identify dead cells? Clever stuff, do tell more! :thumbs:

[Mark CSL]

Anyone got any good links/websites where I can get my mits on a decent battery conditioner/trickle charger?


Baz Try halfords or maxcess they are about £9.99

I have 1 and they work well but the bmw battery should last for a month
if the car is not used.
Remember to lock the CSL or it will stay in standbuy mode and the battery
will go flat.
If the CSL is locked it shuts the car down all but the clock and the alarm :thumbs:

[sailorbaz]

Anyone got any good links/websites where I can get my mits on a decent battery conditioner/trickle charger?


Baz Try halfords or maxcess they are about £9.99

I have 1 and they work well but the bmw battery should last for a month
if the car is not used.
Remember to lock the CSL or it will stay in standbuy mode and the battery
will go flat.
If the CSL is locked it shuts the car down all but the clock and the alarm :thumbs:

What's 'maxcess' mate?

[Jaw_F430]

Anyone got any good links/websites where I can get my mits on a decent battery conditioner/trickle charger?

Remember to lock the CSL or it will stay in standbuy mode and the battery
will go flat.
If the CSL is locked it shuts the car down all but the clock and the alarm :thumbs:


Is that what that noise is then when the car is unlocked, everthing "waking up"? My mates normal M3 doesn't do it though :smt017

[SMD]

I keep my car on a tickle charger all thetimme the Garage! :thumbs:

Optimate Charger about £40! :beer:

[sailorbaz]

Anyone got any good links/websites where I can get my mits on a decent battery conditioner/trickle charger?

Remember to lock the CSL or it will stay in standbuy mode and the battery
will go flat.
If the CSL is locked it shuts the car down all but the clock and the alarm :thumbs:


Is that what that noise is then when the car is unlocked, everthing "waking up"? My mates normal M3 doesn't do it though :smt017

That noise you hear is apparently the SMG pump priming. Your friends must be a manual is it?

[shimmy]

I keep my car on a tickle charger all thetimme the Garage! :thumbs:

Optimate Charger about £40! :beer:

CTEK battery conditioner from Costco is the way to go!

[Jaw_F430]

Anyone got any good links/websites where I can get my mits on a decent battery conditioner/trickle charger?

Remember to lock the CSL or it will stay in standbuy mode and the battery
will go flat.
If the CSL is locked it shuts the car down all but the clock and the alarm :thumbs:


Is that what that noise is then when the car is unlocked, everthing "waking up"? My mates normal M3 doesn't do it though :smt017

That noise you hear is apparently the SMG pump priming. Your friends must be a manual is it?



Indeed it is :thumbs: Learn something new everyday :-D

[glendog74]

That noise you hear is apparently the SMG pump priming. Your friends must be a manual is it?

Indeed it is :thumbs: Learn something new everyday :-D

Me too! :-D

I use a Halfords 12v battery charger/conditioner. Does the trick - £20 or so.

[1cosmicboy]

hi chaps ,work on a few csl,s etc and all batteries go flat quickly ,part of the problem is the distance between battery and starter motor ,long cable means voltage drop etc so it dosent take much for the car not to crank over .
when buying a trickle charger its best to go for one that has a built in cut off incase anything goes wrong ,and leave car unlocked so the charger tops battery up and then lets it go down a bit before charging again ,it makes for longer battery life so im told and avoids dead cells
michael

[glendog74]

Nice one - cheers Michael :beer:

[Andyk]

Good info Michael, thanks :thumbs:

[Rags]

Left mine for 25 days, and started first time.
But then again, I have a standard battery.

[1cosmicboy]

Left mine for 25 days, and started first time.
Bu
t then again, I have a standard battery.
hi rags .that is a rare occurance .was it summer or winter ?
michael

[cslgirl]

I left the csl at the in laws for 2 weeks, in the snow outside and it started fine. Put it in the garage, for 3 weeks and it didn't start. went out in it on Saturday and it didn't start - had to jump start it and prayed it started again when I stopped to get some petrol. I think though I will get a new battery as the one in there hasn't been changed since new!