BMW 530e is the plugin hybrid version of the BMW 5-Series. It is a mid-sized luxury SUV that uses both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor.
Due to its complex powertrain, it is known to have several defects, which include charging problems.
In this article, I will discuss the 6 most common BMW 530e charging problems and their solutions. So let’s get started!
How Long Does it Take to Charge BMW 530e?
BMW 530e is equipped with a 9.3 kWh battery pack which takes somewhere between 2 and 3 hours to charge. The charging time depends upon the type of charging station, the remaining battery level, and the maximum power rating for AC/DC charging.
The 9.3 kWh battery of the BMW 530e can give you an all-electric range of up to 29 miles. However, in hybrid mode, you can go up to 537 miles. Please remember that these figures are based on NEDC testing and not on real-world testing.
Is BMW 530e Prone to Charging Problems?
Yes, the BMW 530e is somewhat prone to charging problems. Its owners have faced hardware-related issues such as charge control unit failure or debris buildup on the battery module. These defects go on to show that something is fundamentally wrong with the inbuilt charging infrastructure of the BMW 530e.
German cars are known for being high-maintenance vehicles. But if there is one thing you will find common across all German brands, including BMW and Mercedes-Benz is that they have complex electrical systems.
Now, adding a charging system to all the existing electrical wirings further complicates the vehicle design.
This has been the very case with the BMW 530e. No doubt, it is an exceptional SUV, but when things go wrong, they go all the way down. At times, it becomes really difficult to find solutions to a problem.
We will further elaborate on this in the coming section.
What are the Most Common BMW 530e Charging Problems?
The most common charging problems of the BMW 530e are receiving error messages such as the main power too low or unable to charge, a check battery light triggered by faulty sensors, an LED indicator turning yellow or red, and slow charging.
Let’s discuss each of these issues in detail.
Problem #1: Main Power Too Low Error
Why Does it Happen?
The owners of the BMW 530e have reported a common error message “Main power too low” on the display screen. It is mainly due to an issue with the charging control unit.
The charge control unit is a critical component in the hybrid powertrain of the BMW 530e.
The charge control unit is responsible for safe and efficient charging. It controls and monitors the whole charging process and the state of the battery.
When CCU goes bad, you won’t be able to charge your BMW 530e, even if you try doing it at different charging stations using different charging cables.
Important: EV battery replacement can cost $1000s. To avoid high-voltage battery replacement, there are some things you can do. Read this article to find out the 10 best ways to maximize EV battery life and save tons of money!
How Do You Solve it?
If your charging control unit goes bad, there is no solution but to replace it. It is not an easy fix since the CCU is deeply embedded in the electronic system of the BMW 530e.
Hence, it would be a better idea to leave it to the professionals. The replacement of a CCU will cost you somewhere between $200 and $300 depending on your location.
Problem #2: Unable to Charge Error
Why Does it Happen?
This has got to be the most common charging error in BMW 530e. Because it pertains to the human-negligence. At times, you haven’t clicked in the adapter properly, or the charging cable is not attached firmly at both ends.
This is when you will receive errors like unable to charge.
How Do You Solve it?
First things first, so check that the charging cable is seated properly at both ends. You have to ensure the adapter clicks in the charging port properly. If the issue isn’t resolved, try using a different cable or charging at a different station.
Also read: EV Battery in Hot Temperature: 5 Things to Know
Problem #3: Check Battery Light
Why Does it Happen?
BMW 530e is laced with a high-voltage battery. Sometimes you see a check battery light on your dashboard, and you’re unable to charge the batteries. Well, you got to understand that there are a bunch of sensors in your BMW.
If any of these sensors is malfunctioning or not working properly, it sets off an alarm in the ECU of your BMW 530e. The ECU takes this as a warning sign, and as a precaution, it halts the charging process.
This is done in order to protect the internal charging hardware from further damage.
How Do You Solve it?
This is an advanced issue that is somewhat difficult to resolve. You have to take your car to a BMW dealership and let them run diagnostics.
If it is your lucky day, the mechanic will be able to figure out which sensor is faulty. They will replace that sensor for you, and charging will resume.
Problem #4: LED Indicator Blinks Yellow
Why Does it Happen?
Sometimes it happens that the LED indicator on the charging port of your BMW 530e blinks yellow or it turns red. If you’ve done everything by the book and still the LED is red, it has got to be a problem with the charging point.
The socket is not delivering enough power, due to which you’re unable to charge your BMW 530e.
How Do You Solve it?
If you’re charging your BMW 530e at home, then check the mains. See if the voltage level is fine. If not, call for an electrician and check if something is wrong with the particular socket on which you were charging.
However, if you’re charging at a commercial station, try switching to another one and see if it works.
Problem #5: Slow Charging or No Fast Charging
Why Does it Happen?
If you’re able to charge your BMW 530e, but the process is way too slow, it is due to debris buildup in the battery module. BMW had to recall some of its models in 2020 due to these very issues, as they posed a fire hazard.
Another reason behind this issue can be a substandard charging cable.
How Do You Solve it?
If you’re facing the issue of slow charging in the BMW 530e, then an inspection is in order. Once you clear out the debris on the battery module, your car should charge just fine.
Problem #6: Random Charging Errors
Why Does it Happen?
This is an interesting charging problem with the BMW 530e. If your BMW 530e was charging just fine before, but then it started giving random errors, it is likely due to a software-related problem. BMW rolls out a software update for its models.
It is usually done to remove the bugs and errors in outdated software. When the charging software of your BMW 530 is not updated, you won’t be able to charge it properly.
How Do You Solve it?
Well, the solution to this issue is rather a simple one. All you need to do is drive your BMW 530e into a dealership and tell them to update the software. Once they have updated the charging software of your BMW 530e, the charging process should become error-free.
How to Avoid BMW 530e Charging Problems?
You can avoid BMW 530e charging problems by keeping up with the regular maintenance schedule. In addition to that, always make sure that you’re using genuine, high-quality charging cables and charge your BMW 530e on certified charging stations only.
The golden tip to prevent any kind of problems with a German car, or any car for that matter, is to keep up with the regular maintenance schedule. During these visits, ensure that the charging software of your BMW 530e is up to date.
Additionally, let the mechanic run diagnostics to make sure that there are no unresolved errors.
Using a high-quality charging cable can go a long way in preventing charging problems. A substandard charging cable poses fire hazards and puts the integrity of your entire charging system on the line. It is better not to take the risk!
References
yourmotorguide.com, vehiclehistory.com, g30.bimmerpost.com, thedriveradviser.com, speakev.com, bimmerfest.com, zap-map.com