# 2017 BMW X3 - dead battery after detailing **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** x3, bmw\ **Created:** [July 1, 2022, 7:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-bmw-x3-dead-battery-after-detailing/184974 "2022-07-01T07:28:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JohnHughesHeldt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac8455/32.png) [@JohnHughesHeldt](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JohnHughesHeldt)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 7:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-bmw-x3-dead-battery-after-detailing/184974/1 "2022-07-01T07:28:49Z")
Ihad guy detail my car-3-4 hrs back my work lot came back its dead battery? Would not jump ? ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 10:52am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-bmw-x3-dead-battery-after-detailing/184974/2 "2022-07-01T10:52:58Z")
It is possible if the detailing included the engine compartment some got wet causing the problem. Or, could just be coincidence. What did the shop performing the detailing say? ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 11:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-bmw-x3-dead-battery-after-detailing/184974/3 "2022-07-01T23:59:54Z")
Maybe the detailer was running the stereo system while doing the work, and that somehow drained the battery. Usually wouldn’t happen unless you had a powerful aftermarket stereo, or the battery was nearly dead already. Suggest to start with a shop battery/charging system test. Did detailer open the hood or trunk? ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 1:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-bmw-x3-dead-battery-after-detailing/184974/4 "2022-07-02T01:28:48Z")
The detailer had doors, hood and trunk open while they were working. My guess is your battery was on its way out and detailing just ran the battery down. Your battery is original, isn’t it? Recharge the battery and get it tested, it is likely due for a replacement. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 1:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-bmw-x3-dead-battery-after-detailing/184974/5 "2022-07-02T01:59:49Z")
Some people like to listen to music too if you had a good stereo system in it. When I worked we were having problems with the cleaning crew so I made a surprise visit Saturday morning to see if the lab floors were being done. Never forget boom box held up to ear with right hand, left hand pushing the mop, while dancing a jig at the same time. Owner threatened to sue me for causing trouble. So yeah replace the battery and enjoy a clean car. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 2:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-bmw-x3-dead-battery-after-detailing/184974/6 "2022-07-02T02:37:31Z")
Vehicle doors open for 2 to 3 hours, this is why detail shops have battery chargers. Parking lot auto detailers don’t use battery chargers. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 2:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-bmw-x3-dead-battery-after-detailing/184974/7 "2022-07-02T14:05:07Z")
My 02/18 battery died this spring. Too much sitting over winter. Got a new one yesterday. ---
**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 4:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-bmw-x3-dead-battery-after-detailing/184974/8 "2022-07-02T16:38:08Z")
I agree with Mustangman. Have it tested so that you don’t get stranded if it is on the way out. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 5:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-bmw-x3-dead-battery-after-detailing/184974/9 "2022-07-02T17:27:14Z")
If it is the original battery, just replace it and be done with it That said, replace it with the correct style battery. If it was an AGM, then replace it with an AGM And this being a BMW, there’s a chance a scanner needs to be hooked up and the vehicle needs to be informed there’s a new battery . . . and what type . . . or that new battery might not last as long as it should. ---
**Author:** ![bcohen2010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@bcohen2010](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bcohen2010)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 5:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-bmw-x3-dead-battery-after-detailing/184974/10 "2022-07-02T17:40:33Z")
> [@db4690](#): > > And this being a BMW, there’s a chance a scanner needs to be hooked up and the vehicle needs to be informed there’s a new battery . . . and what type . . . or that new battery might not last as long as it should. On a 2017, it’s more than a “chance”…you will need to register the new battery with the PCM. Hence why I drive old cars which don’t contain all these high-tech features. ---
**Author:** ![Renegade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Renegade](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Renegade)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 5:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-bmw-x3-dead-battery-after-detailing/184974/11 "2022-07-02T17:46:29Z")
> [@bcohen2010](#): > > Hence why I drive old cars which don’t contain all these high-tech features. Agree to me it is not worth the expense or worry whenever something goes wrong. ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 6:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-bmw-x3-dead-battery-after-detailing/184974/12 "2022-07-02T18:26:54Z")
> [@db4690](#): > > And this being a BMW, there’s a chance a scanner needs to be hooked up and the vehicle needs to be informed there’s a new battery . . . and what type . . . or that new battery might not last as long as it should. Even as far back as 2008 BMW’s needed the battery to be “registered” with the scanner. At least my 08 650i did. ---
**Author:** ![p.g.i.holmes\_156524](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@p.g.i.holmes\_156524](https://community.cartalk.com/u/p.g.i.holmes_156524)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2022, 4:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-bmw-x3-dead-battery-after-detailing/184974/13 "2022-07-09T04:14:18Z")
From 2002 for BMW. The 7 series was the first then the other models as each 3, 5 & 6 series was updated. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2022, 10:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-bmw-x3-dead-battery-after-detailing/184974/14 "2022-07-09T22:52:35Z")
I believe the reason the computer needs to know about a battery install in some newer cars is b/c the computer provides the charging smarts for controlling the alternator, and the charging algorithm is sensitive to the battery somehow. Older car alternator designs, that function is built into the alternator and not particularly sensitive to the battery. ---
**Author:** ![Darron](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/darron/32/21829_2.png) [@Darron](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Darron)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2022, 8:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-bmw-x3-dead-battery-after-detailing/184974/15 "2022-07-10T08:57:30Z")
The reason is the car tries to keep the battery about 60% charged as more than that use’s fuel to charge to 100% when it isn’t really necessary for most driving. It relearns the “health” when a new battery is registered 👍 ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2022, 3:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-bmw-x3-dead-battery-after-detailing/184974/16 "2022-07-10T15:36:14Z")
> [@Darron](#): > > the car tries to keep the battery about 60% charged If that’s the case I’m surprised it lasted 5 years. Lead-acid batteries don’t like being kept partially charged. Last battery I replaced got a full charge periodically and was still working when changed out at 9 y.o. ---
**Author:** ![asemaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@asemaster](https://community.cartalk.com/u/asemaster)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2022, 4:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-bmw-x3-dead-battery-after-detailing/184974/17 "2022-07-10T16:12:05Z")
> [@circuitsmith](#): > > Lead-acid batteries don’t like being kept partially charged. I really doubt a 2017 BMW has a lead-acid battery. ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2022, 4:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-bmw-x3-dead-battery-after-detailing/184974/18 "2022-07-10T16:40:23Z")
> [@asemaster](#): > > I really doubt a 2017 BMW has a lead-acid battery. Unless it’s a hybrid or EV with lithium it’s a lead-acid starting battery. And yes, AGM is a lead-acid battery. > **[BU-201: How does the Lead Acid Battery Work?](https://batteryuniversity.com/article/bu-201-how-does-the-lead-acid-battery-work)** > > BU meta description needed... ---
**Author:** ![asemaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@asemaster](https://community.cartalk.com/u/asemaster)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2022, 4:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-bmw-x3-dead-battery-after-detailing/184974/19 "2022-07-10T16:49:10Z")
> [@circuitsmith](#): > > And yes, AGM is a lead-acid battery. Yes, it is. You are absolutely right. But somehow the conventions of naming in the auto industry have made it seem that an AGM and a wet cell battery are entirely different. And to go with the crowd I follow that distinction. Because (to paraphrase my college physics professor) and idea doesn’t have to be true to be useful. The difference is that AGM batteries generally need a different charging strategy than can be found on an old-fashioned battery/alternator system. The bottom line, if you have a Euro car that uses an AGM and service info states that it needs the battery registered to the car for proper operation, that’s an additional operation for the shop to perform, and more money I can charge you. ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2022, 5:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-bmw-x3-dead-battery-after-detailing/184974/20 "2022-07-10T17:18:59Z")
AGM batteries are built differently than flooded, but they work on the same electro-chemical principle. They both decline from sulfation more quickly if not kept fully charged. I think it’s a cheap trick for car makers to shorten the life of an expensive battery to save a few drops of fuel on a fuel efficiency test. [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-bmw-x3-dead-battery-after-detailing/184974.md?page=2)