10/27/23, 5:37 AM

61 06 07_Discharged Battery: Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed

SIM 61 06 07
Discharged Battery: Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed

2023-10-25

This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 3) replaces SI M61 06 07 dated May 2021.
What’s New (Specific text highlighted):
Situation
Procedure, updates in process
Claim Information, removal of Midtronics battery tester
Removal of M61 06 07 Attachment
☐

THIS REPAIR IS MOBILE FRIENDLY

MODEL
All vehicles produced from 3/2004 (except I-Bus vehicles)

SITUATION
MINI electrical systems have continued to develop over the past few years. As a result, the demand on the
batteries has increased. Breakdowns due to an empty battery or problems in the vehicles electrical system
can have various causes, most of which are not due to the battery itself. For this reason, a battery
replacement will permanently eliminate the problem only in the rarest of cases.
The energy diagnosis test module helps to localize these causes. This document covers important
information for the dealer on how to handle “discharged battery” complaints.
Without performing the energy diagnosis test plan, the root cause of a discharged battery cannot be
identified. In order to properly repair the vehicle the first time, it is very important that the diagnostic
test plan is performed to completion; with all results taken into consideration.

CAUSE
A discharged battery can have various causes, most of which do not concern the battery itself. A failed
battery is often the symptom, not the cause. A fully serviceable battery can fail when an electrical
component causes the battery to discharge; the battery becomes internally damaged and must be replaced.
For more information, reference BMW Group’s “TECHNIPEDIA”.
For this reason, replacing the battery is not usually a permanent repair. The cause of the discharged battery
must be analyzed in order to guarantee a proper repair.

PROCEDURE
Vehicles with an advanced intelligent battery sensor (IBS) can now monitor the condition of the battery to
determine if it needs to be recharged or replaced. The analysis and testing of the battery’s SoC (State of
Charge) and SoH (State of Health) is now performed using ISTA (Integrated Service Technical Application)
diagnosis.
For vehicles with High Voltage (HV) battery faults, perform the applicable test plan and proceed
with the test plan recommendations
For all models with other battery faults (specifically the 12 V battery), the “Energy Diagnosis” must
be performed for all discharged battery complaints
Complete the energy diagnosis test plan on every vehicle with a discharged battery.
1. Fault analysis (Energy Diagnosis)

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61 06 07_Discharged Battery: Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed

There are currently two paths to access the energy diagnosis test plan:
a. If a power management fault is stored, ISTA will select the energy diagnosis test plan automatically.
b. To manually select the test plan, navigate to: “Vehicle Management > Troubleshooting > Function

structure > Body > Voltage supply > Energy diagnosis”
If fault codes are stored, the test plan displays the “Most Likely Causes”. Complete the test plan by
processing all “Most Likely Causes”. Start from the top, where the most recent cause of the discharged
battery is listed.
If the cause of the battery failure is undetermined, work through all selections in the General
information section to determine the cause of the failure.
When no “Most Likely Causes” are found, the results screen will display: “Most Likely Cause (0), is
undetermined”. Thoroughly work through all selections in the General information section to determine
the cause of the battery failure.
NOTE: When the test plan displays “State of charge of the battery is too low Recharge battery!”, charge
the battery until it is fully charged.
Disconnect the ICOM, battery charger, and allow the vehicle to sit for a minimum of 3 hours
This enables the IBS to update the batteries SoC in the engine control (DME, EDME)
Additionally, a battery with a surface charge has a slightly elevated voltage and may give false readings
When a vehicle battery is unrecoverable after extended charging, it can be exchanged to continue the
Energy Diagnosis test plan. Do not register the exchanged battery until the Energy Diagnosis test plan
is thoroughly completed. When battery registration or programming is performed, the stored energy
history will be deleted. This may cause a vehicle comeback repair visit if the root cause of the discharged
battery undetermined.
Do not register a battery exchange until the Energy Diagnosis test plan has been fully
completed
Do not program the vehicle until the Energy Diagnosis test plan has been completed
Ensure you have completed all “Most Likely Causes” and all selections in the General information
section when the root cause of the discharged battery cannot be determined.
When possible, allow the vehicle to rest overnight to verify the repair and ensure its start ability.
NOTE: Some sections of the Energy Diagnosis test plan are conditional to the responses entered by
the technician. The results that are returned are directly determined by the information which the
technician inputs.
Providing incorrect answers may lead to inadequate and/or misdiagnosis of the vehicle, increasing
the possibility of a comeback repair visit, in addition to the refusal or debit of the applicable claim
submission.
2. The following is a list of reasons for a discharged battery, indicated by the results of the test plan.

A. Examples of vehicle faults
Battery fault (aged battery – only on IBS-equipped vehicles)
Alternator fault
Vehicle is not entering sleep mode (sleep mode prevented)
Vehicle is constantly woken from sleep mode
Closed-circuit current is too high
Closed-circuit
current
infringement
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61 06 07_Discharged Battery: Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed

Exhaustive battery charge (for information only)
Terminal 30g-f shutdown due to start capability limit (for information only)
Terminal 30F shutdown due to start capability limit (for information only)
Terminal 30B electric fan or coolant pump after-run (for information only)
Undetermined
Lights/hazard warning lights left on for too long
“Lights left on” is only considered a vehicle fault, and can only be claimed under applicable limited
warranty if the following conditions exist:
1. If other “Most Likely causes” are listed that indicate the battery was already heavily discharged (listed
as for information only above).
2. If the State of Charge readings for the last 5 days indicate a heavily discharged battery (typically

below 40%).
B. Examples of operating faults
Lights/hazard warning lights are left on too long
Terminal R or terminal 15 left on too long (this fault may also be set when the vehicle is in the
workshop – if the mileage the fault set is the same as the current mileage of the vehicle)
Vehicle is parked for an excessively long immobilization period
Parking lights, roadside parking lights or hazard warning flashers were switched on too long
Average driving performance (short-distance driving)
The vehicle was used intensively without the engine being started (a long period in the PWF status
“residing”)
Vehicle used when stationary
Frequent or long-term use of auxiliary energy consumers (e.g., remote-controlled functions or preheating), which can also prevent going to sleep and increased electrical consumption
C. General Information
General information is available in the energy diagnosis test plan and can be accessed at any time.
Additional information is available for diagnosis of power management and battery issues.
For claim submissions, work through all selections in the General Information.
Battery (displays the current and last five days’ values for the SOC and start capability limit)
Closed-circuit current monitoring (list the last 12 closed current monitoring processes for vehicles equipped with an
(IBS) Intelligent battery sensor)
Stationary period/ Stationary use (displays the number of days the vehicle has been parked and not driven)
Average driving performance (displays a value and explanation for average number and trips in a single numeric
value)
Consumer reduction (displays energy load reduction)
Charge states (displays the amount of time in each SoC range by hours) charge status is reset by programming or
battery registration.
Aging battery (displays a stress value based on the age of the battery)
Battery tests (for the charge acceptance and start voltage dips added to general information. This makes extended
evaluation of the battery possible, allowing potential damage to the battery to be detected by charging the battery
within a 10-minute period and monitoring the amperage charge acceptance of the battery). (Note: currently
unavailable for PHEV and BEV vehicles)
Battery check control messages (displays stored battery relevant check control messages)
History of test module changes (displays history of most recent test module changes)
Determined fault causes (displays [1] “Most Likely Cause”)

If a new battery is installed, the “Energy Diagnosis” test plan should be completed prior to
registering the new battery. When the battery is registered, the stored energy history is deleted. This
may cause the vehicle to return if the root cause of the discharged battery is not determined.

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61 06 07_Discharged Battery: Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed

Checking the charging system
Refer to the MINI diagnosis system for testing the alternator using the following path: “Vehicle management
> Troubleshooting > Function structure > Drive > Engine electronics > Power supply, vehicle electrical
system > Alternator”.
Checking the battery condition
Refer to SI M61 01 02 for battery requirements.
New battery registration
Registration of the new battery is necessary using the MINI diagnosis system service function. If the new
battery is not registered, erroneous messages (check control) may appear.
Use the following path to register the new battery: “Vehicle management > Service functions > Body >
Voltage supply > Battery > Register battery change”.
Recharging the battery
Refer to SI M61 03 07 for information on connecting the battery charger.

CLAIM INFORMATION
To claim an eligible faulty battery, either under the MINI New Passenger Car Limited Warranty, or
the MINI Original (Genuine) Parts Warranty (eligible In-dealer workshop repairs only), the Energy Diagnosis
test plan must first be performed to completion.
To assist you in determining the coverage on a battery, please refer to the following guidelines:
Battery Replacement covered under warranty when the results of the Energy Diagnosis test plan
are:
A vehicle fault; or
An undetermined fault; or
An operating fault such as unfavorable driving profile (e.g., driven extremely short distances) and the
Energy Diagnosis results indicate the battery needs to be replaced.
A “Stand-alone” faulty battery is claimed using the battery Repair Code listed in AIR.
Other Repairs
If it is determined that some other covered vehicle fault and repair caused the battery to fail, the failed
battery is to be claimed under the AIR Repair Code that applies to the failed (causal) component or repair
(for example, alternator, permanent failure).
Battery Replacement are not covered under warranty when the results of the Energy Diagnosis test
plan are:
Operating faults: Such as the vehicle being parked too long (vehicle parked for extended periods without
proper battery maintenance), battery not maintained, etc.
Based on which one applies to your dealer, please refer to SI M01 01 20 or M01 04 20 for the applicable
procedure for documenting, claiming, and explaining, on the RO and in the claim comments, your diagnosis
work time (WT), job/repair work time (WT), and the vehicle repairs your dealer performed, unless otherwise
required by State law.

FEEDBACK REGARDING THIS BULLETIN
Technical Feedback

To submit feedback for the technical topic of this bulletin: Submit your
feedback in the rating box at the top of this bulletin

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Warranty Feedback
Parts Feedback

61 06 07_Discharged Battery: Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed

To submit feedback for the CLAIMS section of this bulletin: Submit an IDS
ticket to the Warranty Department, or use the chat available in the
Warranty Documentation Portal
To submit feedback for the PARTS section of this bulletin: Submit an IDS
ticket to the Parts Department

Supporting Materials
picture_as_pdf M61 06 07 Attachment.pdf

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Attachment to SI M61 06 07

May 2021

Diagnosis of Battery complaints on BN2000 vehicles

ISTA

Possible complaints: Slow/no crank, time and date reset, CC message “High battery drain”, reduction or shutdown of individual consumer
Connect to ISTA
and perform
Energy Diagnosis
to identify why
battery is
discharged

Is “Aged Battery”
listed as a “most
likely cause”

YES

Replace and
register new
battery

Note: Follow SI
M61 06 07

(1) Always print out the battery tester results
(2) The EXP-1000 (new battery tester) can be used to test
all batteries (including AGM). The old Midtronics should
only be used for Non-AGM batteries
Diagnose and repair the
Most Likely causes listed for a
discharged battery in the
Energy Diagnosis results

(3) Always remove the surface charge from the vehicle
after charging in order to achieve valid test results
(4) Always ensure that the battery is fully charged, the
SoC is checked and no CC messages exist prior to
handing the vehicle back to the customer
(5) Except for “Aged Battery”

Battery test
results

Test the battery using the
BMW battery tester. What are
the initial results? Print results
(1)(2)

“Good Battery”

Vehicle
functional
check

Battery Test

Energy
Diagnosis

NO

Not a battery
issue.
Re check energy
diagnosis and any
voltage supply
related faults and
test plans.

“Replace Battery”
Replace and
register new battery

“Good - Recharge”
Recharge battery and retest. If retest shows
“Good – Recharge” again, print ticket and charge
for 2 hours.
If “Good - Recharge” is still displayed after 2
hours replace battery. (3)

Register the battery the
replacement battery. Check
functionality of vehicle. (4)

“Charge & Retest”
Battery has less than
8 volts and should be
replaced after
charging.

Do not send diagnosis feedback because
Energy Diagnosis doesn’t say replace
battery. BN2000 vehicles do not have this
capability (5)