Hybrid Battery (65 A/H) - Availability
Group 61Electrical System
Bulletin Number
61 12 91 (3391)
Woodcliff Lake, NJ
May 1992
Product Engineering
This Service Information bulletin supersedes the Service Information bulletin number 61 12 91 (3391) dated December 1991. It incorporates revised Parts Information.
Please remove and discard Information bulletin number 61 12 91 (3391) dated December 1991 from your S.I. binder.
SUBJECT:
65Ah Hybrid Battery Availability for Engine Compartment Use
MODELS:
E30 Convertible, 525i w/battery in engine compartment
Situation:
A new hybrid 65Ah battery is available which has significant performance advantages over the older style battery for "under-hood" applications, which tend to expose the battery to extreme heat. The hybrid design of the new battery consumes less water and should require less maintenance in E30 Convertible applications as well as 525i models with the battery under the hood.
Action:
When replacing the battery in these vehicles, use the new hybrid unit. This should provide improved performance to the customer.
Note:
525i models with the M50 engine are originally equipped with a 75Ah battery. The new hybrid 65Ah battery should be used in these vehicles, if replacement becomes necessary. Although the new battery 65Ah rating is lower, the higher 75Ah capacity battery was provided only to prolong the charge during overseas shipment.
On 525i vehicles with the baftery in the engine compartment, use the new hybrid 65Ah battery if replacement is necessary.
On 525i vehicles with the battery under the rear seat (as of 4/91 production), use the original style 75Ah battery if replacement is necessary.
Parts Information:
The production of the non-hybrid 65Ah batteries has stopped. Only the hybrid style 65Ah is available. The proper part number for the hybrid 65Ah battery will become P/N 61 21 1 378 094. This number will be on the case of the battery, the internal chemistry will be hybrid, and there will NOT be any sticker with other part numbers or the word "HYBRIDTECHNIK" on the packaging. This change is a result of the depletion of non-hybrid battery stock, and it will therefore be unnecessary to use a special part number.
In order to determine if a 65Ah battery with the 61 21 1 378 094 part number (such as a dealer stock battery, or OEM "original" vehicle battery) is hybrid, the following procedure can be used:
A 65Ah battery with the Part Number 61 21 1 378 094 on the side of the battery case will only be hybrid IF:
* There are fold-down carrying handles integrated into the lid, AND the battery is an OEM (original vehicle) battery with a date code stamped into one of the lead terminals "24 91" (week of 1991) or LATER.
- OR -
* There are fold-down carrying handles integrated into the lid, AND the battery is a remanufactured (replacement) battery with a date code stamped into the plastic case in between the terminals. The date code is two groups of four digits, and the third or fourth digit in the second group must be a "2" for a hybrid battery.
Examples:
1. Battery is 65 Ah P/N 61 21 1 378 094 with a flat top, and no carrying handles. This IS NOT a hybrid battery.
2. Battery is 65Ah P/N 61 21 1 378 094 and has a sticker on the case "HYBRIDTECHNIK". This IS a hybrid battery.
3. Battery is 65Ah P/N 61 21 1 378 094 with fold-down carrying handles. Date code stamped into lead terminal is "2391". This IS NOT a hybrid battery. (The date code must be "2491" or later for hybrid.)
4. Battery is 65Ah P/N 61 21 1 378 094 with fold-down carrying handles. Date code stamped into plastic case between the terminals is "HAX5 3657". This IS NOT a hybrid battery. (The date code must have a "2" for the third or fourth digit in the second group of numbers. "HAX5 3627" or "HAX5 3652" would be hybrid.)