TIS Service Bulletin

SI B61 08 00
General Electrical Systems

Page 1 of 4

December 2018
Technical Service

Closed-circuit Current Measurement
New information provided by this revision is preceded by this symbol

.

This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B61 08 00 dated November 2015.
Whats new:
• Reference to all G-Series vehicles

MODEL
All

SITUATION
Closed circuit current needs to be measured.
Excessive closed-circuit currents may occur continuously or intermittently, and may cause the battery to
discharge prematurely.

CAUSE
The increase in closed-circuit current may be caused by a faulty control unit, or by the installation of a nonapproved accessory.

INFORMATION
In a situation where a vehicle has broken down due to a discharged battery, for diagnostic purposes it
is important to not disconnect the battery. This is because a control unit will be reset if the battery is
disconnected. Following a reset, the faulty control unit may start functioning correctly again, making
accurate diagnosis impossible.
To correctly measure closed-circuit current, the 50-amp clip-on probe (previously used with the IMIB) or the
100-amp clip-on probe can now be used in conjunction with the IMIB (Integrated Measurement Interface Box) to
properly diagnose closed-circuit current problems over an extended period of time. Connect the amp clip-on
probe directly to the IMIB Measurement input 3 (green socket).

PROCEDURE
Note: It is very important that any “Power management” faults stored be diagnosed and corrected, and
the “Energy Diagnosis” test plan carried out before the following procedure is performed. Only perform
this procedure if closed-circuit current violations are listed in the “Most Likely Cause” list.
1. Check and test the battery using the BMW Battery Tester. Refer to SI B 04 25 02 for information about
the BMW Battery. Refer to SI B61 02 11 for vehicles equipped with advanced onboard battery diagnostics
that do not require the BMW Battery Tester. If necessary, recharge or replace the battery.
2. If the battery is installed in the trunk, open the trunk and turn the lock to the locked position, using a
screwdriver or similar (simulates the trunk lid being closed). The hood must be closed.If the battery is
installed in the engine compartment, open the hood and pull the front lid contact switch fully up, and
lock in this position (workshop position, simulates the front lid being closed). The trunk must be closed.

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3. With the exception of the trunk/hood above, all other doors/lids must be closed.
4. In order to simulate normal closed-circuit conditions:


Turn the ignition on and activate all electrical consumers, including any accessories. Turn the
ignition off. In some cases, a drive cycle may need to be carried out in order to duplicate a closedcircuit current problem.



Open and close the driver's door (simulates somebody getting out).



Lock the car, arming the DWA if this is installed.

5. Measure closed circuit current.
In general, closed-circuit current consistently over 50mA must be investigated. Depending on the
vehicle's equipment, closed-circuit current by vehicle model is approximately as follows:

E31

50 milliamps after 16 minutes

E32

50 milliamps after 16 minutes

E34

40 milliamps after 16 minutes

E36, Z3

30 milliamps after 16 minutes

E38

50 milliamps after 16 minutes

E39

40 milliamps after 16 minutes

E46

40 milliamps after 16 minutes

E60, E61, E63, E64

40 milliamps after 60-70 minutes

E65, E66

40 milliamps after 60-70 minutes

E53

40 milliamps after 16 minutes

E70, E71, E72

40 milliamps after 60-70 minutes with TCU (30 minutes without TCU)

E83

40 milliamps after 16 minutes

E82, E84, E88

40 milliamps after 60-70 minutes with TCU (30 minutes without TCU)

E90, E91, E92, E93

40 milliamps after 60-70 minutes with TCU (30 minutes without TCU)

E85

40 milliamps after 16 minutes

E89

40 milliamps after 60-70 minutes with TCU (30 minutes without TCU)

E52

50 milliamps after 16 minutes

All F-Series vehicles

9-22 milliamps after 30 minutes

All G-Series
vehicles

9-22 milliamps after 8 minutes Refer to ISTA FUB-FB-610011-K15 for
specific testing procedures

6. If the nominal milliamp reading is not achieved after the appropriate time, refer to the attached
troubleshooting charts.
Note: On 2005 MY vehicles equipped with BMW ASSIST, there are additional current fluctuations
as high as 500ma that last for approximately 2 minutes. The fluctuations occur every 15 minutes
for up to 14 hours after key off. This is considered normal operation of the TCU, and should not be
considered a fault. This also applies to 2005 TCUs that are installed into earlier production

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vehicles as replacement parts.
• E60, E63, E64 Closed-Circuit Current Troubleshooting E6x up to 9/05 production
• E60, E61, E63, E64 Closed-Circuit Troubleshooting E6x from 9/05 production
• E65, E66 Closed-Circuit Current Troubleshooting up to 3/04 production
• E65, E66 Closed-Circuit Current Troubleshooting from 3/04 production
• Normal closed-circuit current values for E65, E70, E60, E61, E63, and E64

CLOSED-CIRCUIT CURRENT MEASUREMENT WITH THE IMIB:
Note: This technique with an IMIB is particularly suitable for extended measurements, and provides a graphical
readout of recorded measurements over time. It is recommended for situations where the use of a multimeter
provided insufficient information for problem diagnosis.
1. Select “Activities”.
2. Select “Measuring devices
3. Select from the “Level 1” column, “Measuring devices”, and then “OK”.
4. From the “Connection manager” screen, select the free IMIB and “Set up connection”.
5. The “Measures devices” screen opens on the “Multimeter” tab.
6. Select the “Oscilloscope” tab.
7. Highlight the “CH1” tab to activate channel 1.
8. Under channel 1, “Source,” scroll with the arrows to select “Clip-on probe 50A” or “Clip-on probe 100A.”
9. Make sure that the clip-on probe is not connected to the battery cable, and acknowledge the pop-up
message with “OK.” The calibration of the clip-on probe is very important, and must be as close to 0 as
possible. If the clip-on probe cannot be calibrated, it must be replaced in order to ensure a proper
measurement. Refer to the Parts Information section of this Service Information bulletin for the latest clipon probe part number.
10. Change the “A/Div” setting to “1A”.
11. Under the “Time” selection box, change the “Time/Div” setting based on the number of measurements
needed (5 ms to 200 s). The longer times should be selected when performing the measurement over an
extended period.
12. Select “CH 1” under “Cursor” to monitor the actual readings.
13. Select “Record” if performing long term measurements.
14. After performing the measurement, select “Record” again; the display will change to “Compress” and
display the recorded data on the 1 screen.

PARTS INFORMATION
Part Number

Description

Quantity

81 38 0 431 590

Clip-on probe 100A

1

WARRANTY INFORMATION
Not applicable.

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ATTACHMENTS
View PDF attachment B610800_Troubleshooting_E6x_from_9_2005.
View PDF attachment B610800_Troubleshooting_E65_from_3_2004.
View PDF attachment B610800_Troubleshooting_E6x_up_to_9_2005.
View PDF attachment B610800_Troubleshooting_E65_up_to_3_2004.
View PDF attachment B610800_Normal_Closed_Circuit_Current_Values.
[ Copyright ©2018 BMW of North America, Inc. ]

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E65 normal closed circuit current values
This document provides an overview of the typical current values that are
measured in an external closed-circuit current measurement with a current
measuring clip during regular sleeping.

For the procedure of an external closed-circuit current measurement with
measurement system, see document .
Regular sleeping without additional wakings to check the coolant temperature
and with transport mode OFF (battery switch ON):

No Time

Event

Typical current values

Reaching the idle state

10 to 15 A depending on the

.
1

0 - 3 min

equipment.
3 - 16 min

Vehicle sleeping

0.9 to 1.5 A depending on the
consumer units that are switched on
(e.g. map-reading light or glove box
light).

2

16 - 17 min

PM wakes up the

8 to 11 A depending on the

vehicle: First consumer

equipment.

shutdown (roof)

3

17 - 60 min

Vehicle sleeping

approx. 300 mA.

60 min

Second consumer

< 30 mA depending on the

shutdown (body)

equipment.

E70 normal closed circuit current values
This document provides an overview of the typical current values that are
measured in an external closed-circuit current measurement with a current
measuring clip during regular sleeping.
For the procedure of an external closed-circuit current measurement with
measurement system, see document .
Regular sleeping without additional wakings to check the coolant temperature:

No Time

Event

Typical current values

Reaching the idle state

6 to 15 A depending on the

.
1

0 - 3 min

equipment.
3 - 8 min

Vehicle sleeping

0.4 to 1.5 A depending on the
consumer units that are switched on
(e.g. map-reading light or glove box
light).

2

8 - 9 min

FRM wakes up the

6 to 10 A depending on the

vehicle: Consumer unit

equipment.

shutdown.
9 - 30 min or

Vehicle sleeping

9 - 60 min
3

30 or 60 min

500 to 650 mA depending on the
equipment.

Shutdown of

< 25 mA depending on the

terminal 30g

equipment.

E6x up to 3/2006 normal closed circuit current values
This document provides an overview of the typical current values that are
measured in an external closed-circuit current measurement with a current
measuring clip during regular sleeping.
For the procedure of an external closed-circuit current measurement with
measurement system, see document .
Regular sleeping without additional wakings to check the coolant temperature:

No Time
.

Event

Typical current values

1

Reaching the idle state

8 to 14 A depending on the

0 - 3 min

equipment.
3 - 16 min

Vehicle sleeping

0.8 to 1.5 A depending on the
consumer units that are switched on
(e.g. map-reading light or glove box
light).

2

16 - 17 min

KBM wakes up the

6 to 10 A depending on the

vehicle: Consumer unit

equipment.

shutdown.
17 - 30 min or Vehicle sleeping

approx. 250 mA.

17 - 60 min
3

30 or 60 min

Shutdown of

< 30 mA depending on the

terminal 30g

equipment.

E6x from 3/2006 normal closed circuit current values
This document provides an overview of the typical current values that are
measured in an external closed-circuit current measurement with a current
measuring clip during regular sleeping.
For the procedure of an external closed-circuit current measurement with
measurement system, see document .
Regular sleeping without additional wakings to check the coolant temperature:

No Time
.

Event

Typical current values

1

0 - 3 min

Reaching the idle state

8 to 14 A depending on the
equipment.

3 - 8 min

Vehicle sleeping

0.8 to 1.5 A depending on the
consumer units that are switched on
(e.g. map-reading light or glove box
light).

8 - 9 min

KBM or FRM wakes the

6 to 10 A depending on the

vehicle: Consumer unit

equipment.

2

shutdown.
9 - 30 min or

Vehicle sleeping