My car was recently hit in the rear (not that much damage), and the battery safety device that disconnects the battery in the event of a rear-end collision triggered. This small explosive device, which is, I suppose, a CO2 cartridge results in the need for an entirely new positive cable that goes from the front of the car to the rear (through the firewall, etc.). The cable costs nearly $300 and the labor, $720!.
Seems to me, the explosive device could have been put in the 2 foot long negative cable, but I suppose that would not allow BMW to charge $1000+ for the "replacement." As I understand it, all of the new BMWs (I don't know how far back) use the device, but strangely, there were none in the U.S. and it took one month to get it!
I just got ***-ended last week, and while damage seemed limited to my exhaust and bumper, I want to double-check to make sure this device wasn't affected.
Obviously, if I didn't lose power it could not have fully detonated. However, if we're talking about a $1K replacement part, I wanna make damn sure that it wasn't damaged in any way.
And yes, it sure does seem like BMW could have engineered in the same functionality without requiring the replacement of a back-to-front cable!
If it makes you feel any better, the fuse is placed in the positive leg of the circuit for sound engineering purposes. However, it seems to me that the fuse could have been designed as a separately replaceable element to avoid having to pull the entire wire out of the car. Is your dealer SURE they need to pull the entire thing out?
I hate the idea of a car that disables itself. Let us pretend that you're trying to escape from somebody---do you really want the car to decide to turn itself off after an impact? I'm tempted to find the system and remove it, since the idea behind it is really flawed, i.e., "the moment that you're in an accident, you want the car to be disabled." Nonsense.... Of course it could have been designed in a modular way to make it easy to replace, but my theory is that this would add a few dollars to the car, and they don't want that.
My guess is that the device is explosive, and no compressed gas is involved.
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I got the same basic functionality on my SHO by putting the starter solenoid in the trunk with the battery, so that the heavy-gauge unfused hot lead is only live during cranking.
All other 'house power' needs are served from a circuit-breaker-protected pair of 10AWG wires (remember, when the engine is running the alternator is handling the load.)
Uh oh, I need to update my logic about getting out of the water alive! Here in South Florida, tons of cars go into canals each year and most people just hit the switch to roll down the windows, or open the doors, to swim out.
What if this "fuse" decides to blow when you have your door locked and window up??? I'm pretty certain you cannot open the door from the inside when locked, and now the window won't roll down either! This is bad.
Looks like I'll need to install that handheld glass punch/seatbelt cutter afterall.
Aussie2U;
Fronm what I've read, the "battery safety terminal" only disables the starter circuits. Lights, locks, etc are supposed to still work. I believe the doors even unlock automatically.
kgk;
I guess BMW figured that statistically more folks die from fires in a car accident than maliciously being rammed from the back. Its kind of like the airbag. More people would die without them than die from them.
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Originally posted by Richard in NC Aussie2U;
Fronm what I've read, the "battery safety terminal" only disables the starter circuits. Lights, locks, etc are supposed to still work. I believe the doors even unlock automatically.
kgk;
I guess BMW figured that statistically more folks die from fires in a car accident than maliciously being rammed from the back. Its kind of like the airbag. More people would die without them than die from them.
Good thinking Richard, I think I read something similar to that, aussie2u.
As a bean counter your statistics are right on track as well about the probabilites BMW taks into account developing this disconnect.
But BMW isn't the only one, many car makers have added this disconnect to their electrical system although I don't know if they have the residual standby power, but I should think so. Shopping recently the Toyota salesman pointed out the device to me on an SUV.
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Jim
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The "Wolf in Sheeps Clothing" is back in the USA again
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My exhaust was not damaged and thank goodness since it is one welded unit and it is not clear that BMW offers the components. It would be expensive to replace with
BMW components if they do offer them since someone is going to have to reconstruct it.
For the cable, it comes in a kit that is comprised of the entire cable front to back so there is really no alternative less costly method.
Of course it could have been designed in a modular way to make it easy to replace, but my theory is that this would add a few dollars to the car, and they don't want that.
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