Battery in luggage compartment under spare wheel: Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 BMW X6, 2009 BMW X6, and 2008 BMW X6. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Remove faulty fuses and carry out troubleshooting.

Fig 1: Identifying Supply Cable For Vehicle Electrical System

G04748611

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

CAUTION: Pay attention to interface.
The repair cable is always a standard length.
The heavy-current connector of the repair cable has a larger diameter than the battery positive lead.
In some Series (e.g. E46 touring), the heavy-current connector of the repair cable can lead to installation problems.
This is the case when the interface is in the area of the close-fitting trim panels.
Find matching interface (e.g. approx. 10 cm behind rear seat backrest in E46 touring).

Lay repair cable parallel to battery positive lead.

Mark interface of battery positive lead at end of repair cable.

Fig 2: Marking Interface Of Battery Positive Lead At End Of Repair Cable

G04748612

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release cable ties (1).

Disconnect plug connection (2).

Fig 3: Identifying Cable Ties And Plug Connection

G04748613

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

CAUTION: Do not use bolt cutters or similar tools to cut through the cable.
A cable end that has been squashed flat will no longer fit into the clamping sleeve.

Saw through battery positive cable at marked point with an iron saw.

Fig 4: Locating Cable End

G06210649

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Strip insulation - length (A) - from cable end.

Distance (A) = 15 mm.

Fig 5: Identifying Cable Insulation Cut Distance (A)

G04748615

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Push heavy-current connector (1) over stripped cable end and screw into position.

Fig 6: Identifying Heavy-Current Connector

G04748616

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Push shrink-fit hose (3) over repair cable.

Screw threaded sleeve (1) of repair cable (2) to heavy-current connector.

Fig 7: Identifying Threaded Sleeve, Repair Cable And Shrink-Fit Hose

G04748617

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Push shrink-fit hose (1) over connecting point and shrink on with a hot-air blower (2).

Fig 8: Identifying Shrink-Fit Hose And Hot-Air Blower

G04748618

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: Heat up shrink-fit hose until it has settled completely around the connection point.

Fig 9: Locating Shrink-Fit Hose

G04748619

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

When laying the repaired battery positive cable, observe the following:

The shrink-fit hose must not be scuffed during any movement.
The repair cable must not cause any disturbing noises during driving operation.

NOTE: Offsetting cutting line by approx. 10 cm produces excess length of battery positive lead (1).
Lay battery positive lead (1) without kinks or abrasions.
(Shown on E46 touring.)

Fig 10: Identifying Battery Positive Lead

G04748620

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.