How to replace battery

I am thinking of replacing the battery on my 2000 540 myself. I am
wondering though if there are any special tools or things that I need to do
for this. I am afraid that when I disconnect the power that I will mess up
something with the radio codes or the computer or something else.

I am hoping that I can just disconnect the old one, put the new one in and
that is all but experience tells me that things are NEVER (NEVER, NEVER,
NEVER...) as easy or quick as they may initially seem.

The original battery is now 5 years old and I usually like to replace it on
my terms, rather than wait to squeeze another year or so out of it and have
it go when I am not planning on it.

In article rs.com>,
Covad > wrote:
> I am thinking of replacing the battery on my 2000 540 myself. I am
> wondering though if there are any special tools or things that I need to
> do for this. I am afraid that when I disconnect the power that I will
> mess up something with the radio codes or the computer or something
> else.

No problems with my 528, and I took the old battery with me to make sure
of getting the correct replacement. No code on the radio.

--
*42.7% of statistics are made up. Sorry, that should read 47.2% *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Covad wrote:
> I am thinking of replacing the battery on my 2000 540 myself. I am
> wondering though if there are any special tools or things that I need to do
> for this. I am afraid that when I disconnect the power that I will mess up
> something with the radio codes or the computer or something else.
....

You can uneventfully swap out the battery yourself, but why would you?
You'll need to dispose of the old battery anyway. And when you buy the
new battery, they'll hit you with a core charge if you don't trade in
the old battery.

My recommendation: visit your local Sears/Whatever and let someone else
get acid on *their* pants.

Randy

"Covad" > wrote in message
ervers.com...
>I am thinking of replacing the battery on my 2000 540 myself. I am
>wondering though if there are any special tools or things that I need to do
>for this. I am afraid that when I disconnect the power that I will mess up
>something with the radio codes or the computer or something else.
>

You'll mess up everything you are worried about messing up. The radio will
forget its stations, and the anti-theft code will need to be plugged in or
the radio will think it's stolen and refuse to work.

It doesn't matter much if you change the battery or the battery guy changes
the battery, the same troubles will crop up.

When you change the battery, disconnect the negative lead first, and connect
the negative lead last. This will prevent sparks if you happen to touch the
body and the positive battery post at the same time.






> I am hoping that I can just disconnect the old one, put the new one in and
> that is all but experience tells me that things are NEVER (NEVER, NEVER,
> NEVER...) as easy or quick as they may initially seem.
>
> The original battery is now 5 years old and I usually like to replace it
> on my terms, rather than wait to squeeze another year or so out of it and
> have it go when I am not planning on it.
>

Radio: there's no = n o Radio Code, don't worry and the radio didn't
forget the stations when you chance the battery within a "normal" time (not
hours!)

Jürgen

"Jeff Strickland" > schrieb im Newsbeitrag
...
>
> "Covad" > wrote in message
> ervers.com...
>>I am thinking of replacing the battery on my 2000 540 myself. I am
>>wondering though if there are any special tools or things that I need to
>>do for this. I am afraid that when I disconnect the power that I will
>>mess up something with the radio codes or the computer or something else.
>>
>
> You'll mess up everything you are worried about messing up. The radio will
> forget its stations, and the anti-theft code will need to be plugged in or
> the radio will think it's stolen and refuse to work.
>
> It doesn't matter much if you change the battery or the battery guy
> changes the battery, the same troubles will crop up.
>
> When you change the battery, disconnect the negative lead first, and
> connect the negative lead last. This will prevent sparks if you happen to
> touch the body and the positive battery post at the same time.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>> I am hoping that I can just disconnect the old one, put the new one in
>> and that is all but experience tells me that things are NEVER (NEVER,
>> NEVER, NEVER...) as easy or quick as they may initially seem.
>>
>> The original battery is now 5 years old and I usually like to replace it
>> on my terms, rather than wait to squeeze another year or so out of it and
>> have it go when I am not planning on it.
>>
>

In article >,
Jeff Strickland > wrote:
> You'll mess up everything you are worried about messing up. The radio
> will forget its stations, and the anti-theft code will need to be
> plugged in or the radio will think it's stolen and refuse to work.

The E39 has an unique radio so won't fit another vehicle. So no code
needed. The only one who might steal it is another E39 owner - but he'd
know how bad it was and wouldn't bother. ;-)

--
*Why is it that doctors call what they do "practice"?

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

I doubt you need to replace the batt after 5 years unless it has been giving
you trouble... it should be good for much more than that!


"Jeff Strickland" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Covad" > wrote in message
> ervers.com...
>>I am thinking of replacing the battery on my 2000 540 myself. I am
>>wondering though if there are any special tools or things that I need to
>>do for this. I am afraid that when I disconnect the power that I will
>>mess up something with the radio codes or the computer or something else.
>>
>
> You'll mess up everything you are worried about messing up. The radio will
> forget its stations, and the anti-theft code will need to be plugged in or
> the radio will think it's stolen and refuse to work.
>
> It doesn't matter much if you change the battery or the battery guy
> changes the battery, the same troubles will crop up.
>
> When you change the battery, disconnect the negative lead first, and
> connect the negative lead last. This will prevent sparks if you happen to
> touch the body and the positive battery post at the same time.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>> I am hoping that I can just disconnect the old one, put the new one in
>> and that is all but experience tells me that things are NEVER (NEVER,
>> NEVER, NEVER...) as easy or quick as they may initially seem.
>>
>> The original battery is now 5 years old and I usually like to replace it
>> on my terms, rather than wait to squeeze another year or so out of it and
>> have it go when I am not planning on it.
>>
>

In article >,
Sharkmanbmw > wrote:
> I doubt you need to replace the batt after 5 years unless it has been
> giving you trouble... it should be good for much more than that!

I wish...

Ever seen a battery with an unconditional 5 year warranty?

--
*I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be without sponges.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Sharkmanbmw wrote:
> I doubt you need to replace the batt after 5 years unless it has been giving
> you trouble... it should be good for much more than that!

Obviously you don't live in a cold climate. I change my batteries after
4 years regardless.

I have a 540i and I live in Montreal - is that cold enough???!!!!
I never said there was a 5 year warranty though did I ???

I have no problem with batteries, never have.

Unless they get discharged and weakened from some other cause,( lights on,
bad alternator...)
feel freee to change yours, I will wait a while longer!

"JimV" > wrote in message
...
> Sharkmanbmw wrote:
>> I doubt you need to replace the batt after 5 years unless it has been
>> giving you trouble... it should be good for much more than that!
>
> Obviously you don't live in a cold climate. I change my batteries after 4
> years regardless.