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Just fitted a new battery to partner's 2012 mini but I've read they need registering with a device so the clever system doesn't overcharge it. Rang my local garage who advised it wouldn't need registering if it's not a stop start battery, which it isn't. But that seems to contradict other stuff I've read online.
Can any mini/BMW people enlighten me?
Thanks.
My 2008 R55 Clubman didn't need anything when I changed the battery. I think the 2012 is the same model, but different engines.
Thanks daffy, just reading some more and it looks I should be able to see from the negative connections whether there is an intelligent battery system.
Usually the intelligent battery sensor is on the negative clamp and will have a plug with a few wires going to it, if it has this then it would require registering of battery change
I changed the battery on my 59 plate 330 last year and it just required telling the car it was a new battery as it was a like for like unit. I think if you change the type or ampage of the battery you also have to register this with the car. The reason you have to tell the car it's a new battery is that it will think the new battery is still the old/used battery and will continue to charge at the same rate taking into account the usage, which obviously isn't required if it's new. Of course that's not on a 12 plate mini which could be different, but that's what I had to do on my car. It can be done through INPA or ISTA or whatever the system is called.
Boom no IBS device. Thanks all 👍
Fancy having to programme a car to accept a 12v battery, what is the world coming to.
Thanks daffy, just reading some more and it looks I should be able to see from the negative connections whether there is an intelligent battery system.
thats what i read when i needed to change the battery on my wifes 2011 mini a few months ago, that had nothing there so just put the new one on.
The reason you have to tell the car it’s a new battery is that it will think the new battery is still the old/used battery and will continue to charge at the same rate taking into account the usage, which obviously isn’t required if it’s new.
Ah, a system intelligent enough to ramp up the charging current (or whatever it does) to compensate for an aging battery, yet somehow too dumb to notice a brand new battery's been fitted. Marvellous.
or whatever it does
The joy of reading about someone not knowing "what it does" being far more 'intelligent' about what it should do 😀