Advanced Auto Parts- Say What??

[echo46]

So wifey's power steering pump went on the Land Rover so I decided to change it. I didn't have a 36mm wrench to remove the fan clutch so I decided to rent a kit from Advanced Auto Parts. I jumped in the ZHP, which had been sitting for two weeks due to the snow, and when I started it I noticed that the battery light, abs and brake light were illuminated. I also noticed right away that the window went down very slow. Arrived at Advanced, rented the kit, went back outside and the car would not start. I went back in and asked for a battery tester. The lady that tested the battery told me that I have a bad cell but that she can't sell me a battery because they will not touch an 04 BMW. I was astonished. She said that because the battery is dead, BMW has to flash the computer or it will go into limp mode. She gave me a jump then strongly admonished me to drive straight to the BMW dealership for a new battery and a flash. Well I drove home, no battery light came on and parked. A few hours later I started the car with no issues, no batty light. Drove the car again today with no issues.

Am I missing something? Even if I need a new battery, I don't need to flash it or risk limp mode? I never heard of this. Oh and by the way, the 36mm wrench was stretched and spun on the fan clutch. Had to go to Pep Boys to get a 36 mm wrench.

[kayger12]

I think they were thinking of the E90 and more recent models. Those need a reflash or computer sync or some ridiculousness when you replace the battery. Not so for the E46.

Sounds like you just had a weak battery from the car sitting for a while.

[Johnmadd]

Just go buy the appropriate battery and install it. I really get agitated at shops or stores that assume they know more about your car than you... sorry for the rant. Good luck!

[echo46]

Yea, I think it was a bit weak and now is fine. I never heard of that and I replaced a dead battery on my prior e46 with no issues. She was very nice, but was clueless and I didn't want to be an ass.

[danewilson77]

Yeah... I've heard of them telling this to people before.

Williamsburg, VA, Droid DNA, Tapatalk

[echo46]

Odd to me.

[danewilson77]

Yes. It's definitely not correct.

[Vas]

Buy new battery and install it is my suggestion.

[Avetiso]

Just go buy the appropriate battery and install it. I really get agitated at shops or stores that assume they know more about your car than you... sorry for the rant. Good luck!

+1 x 10^10.

[echo46]

Agree

[M0nk3y]

Not needed on the E46. For my car, for example, you need to let the ECU know that a new battery will go on or else the computer thinks something crazy is going on and it will indeed leave it in limp mode

[NorCalZman]

Not just the parts store either. Service guy at the BMW dealer told me the same thing when I first got the car. Came home and saw that was not true on the forums.

[echo46]

Wow, BMW said it too. Are they just looking to generate more money? By the way, the battery light has not come on since Friday. Wondering if she even knew how to read the battery tester.

[alexandre]

Wow, BMW said it too. Are they just looking to generate more money? By the way, the battery light has not come on since Friday. Wondering if she even knew how to read the battery tester.

Going rate for an ECU flash is $250 at the dealer. Quick cash grab for people who don't have a clue...

[echo46]

Wow, didn't realize it was so much. They are called stealerships for a reason.

[Whitexi]

I think they were thinking of the E90 and more recent models. Those need a reflash or computer sync or some ridiculousness when you replace the battery. Not so for the E46.

Sounds like you just had a weak battery from the car sitting for a while.

My cousins 06 E90 didn't need a re flash when the battery died. I just grabbed one for her at BMW and her husband installed it no issues. I think they were just scared lol.

[echo46]

Sounds like a conspiracy.

[BCS_ZHP]

Echo,
Check the top of the negative terminal on your battery, if its OEM there will be 2 series of 2 digits stamped in it, those are the week (01 to 52) and year of manufacture. Suspect you dodged a bullet for now but your time is quickly coming due for a new battery, plan on it.

[echo46]

I agree BCS. I think I am going to get a new battery just for peace of mind.

[BavarianZHP]

A mechanic once told me that if the battery does die, you'll need to have a code on hand to reactivate the radio (or something)... There is a card taped to one of my manuals that has a code sequence on it... Never had to use it though.

[danewilson77]

A mechanic once told me that if the battery does die, you'll need to have a code on hand to reactivate the radio (or something)... There is a card taped to one of my manuals that has a code sequence on it... Never had to use it though.

Nope.

Williamsburg, VA, Droid DNA, Tapatalk

[wsmeyer]

A mechanic once told me that if the battery does die, you'll need to have a code on hand to reactivate the radio (or something)... There is a card taped to one of my manuals that has a code sequence on it... Never had to use it though.

Is that your bluetooth passcode?

[johnrando]

E46s don't have radio codes.

[BavarianZHP]

*Sigh* This is why I trust the mafia family over mechanics.... Why do i always get the clueless ones? Seriously? There has to be SOME good guys out there! Oh, when fixing the door actuator I repeatedly found errors in the manual - had to revert to YouTube vids! Hahaha. Even BMW gets it wrong sometimes.

[Daddyoh]

My battery just crapped out yesterday and I got the very same story from Advanced.
I'm calling battery mart today to hear what they say.
Thanks everybody! This was an uncanny thread for me!
I'll post up later...

[Daddyoh]

Okay, so Battery Mart has a battery for $130 and they will install.
I read the "when do YOU change your battery" thread and I saw the Duralast 49-DL recommended, but the AutoZone website says it doesn't fit. Needs the Duralast Gold for about $165, lol.
AutoZone has the 49-DL for $85, so I think that's what it will be. The clerk said "well that's (49-DL) not what it is calling for. It's calling for the Gold.." So he went to check to see if the terminals are on the same side, and they are.
AND, he didn't say a word about refusing to install.
Well that's my WHAT DID YOU DO FOR YOUR ZHP TODAY plan for today, family! It just sucks to deal with any install in the weather we are having. At least I have a garage, right?

[llll1l1ll]

When I had my E30, I bought two valve cover gaskets from my Advanced Auto Pep Zone and both times they were the incorrect size. Despite my verifications with the clerks, they insisted it was the right size when it was indeed the incorrect size. They scoffed at me for saying it was the wrong size when I returned it. Kinda irritating, but oh well.

[SureShot434]

Yes. It's definitely not correct.

^ This

I can't tell you how many times I have disconnected my battery. If this were true my car would never be able to be driven cause it would always be in limp mode haha

[echo46]

Welp, my battery crapped out this morning. Went to Auto Zone for the Duralast 49dl. Clerk was insistent that it is wrong, won't fit bla bla bla. I said, please ring it up, it fits. 92 bucks and it is working perfect.

[danewilson77]

Love it. We typically know our shit. Done. Next please.

[wsmeyer]

Welp, my battery crapped out this morning. Went to Auto Zone for the Duralast 49dl. Clerk was insistent that it is wrong, won't fit bla bla bla. I said, please ring it up, it fits. 92 bucks and it is working perfect.

I wonder what their reasoning is?

[johnrando]

Cuz they have their head up their A$$. Oh, sorry, because they are slightly misinformed.

[kayger12]

I wonder what their reasoning is?

Because it has slightly different dimensions and CCA, iirc.

They're just going by what their compatibility software tells them.

Sent from my kick-A Galaxy S3

[onepercent]

A few years ago I replaced my ZHP's battery with one from Wal-Mart. It worked perfectly.

[Daddyoh]

Love it. We typically know our shit. Done. Next please.
Yez, well done!

[echo46]

Update, despite the doomsday scenario presented by the AutoZone clerk, my ZHP is firing on all cylinders and my Duralast 49dl is beast.

[johnrando]

:like