I have a BMW Wallbox charger installed in my garage that is getting only 4 kWh. Not bad, but for my amperage and settings it should be getting 9.6 kWh at 40A.

It’s installed correctly. In fact, I shut off the breaker and triple checked that the DIP switches are set correctly for my amperage.

I have it installed on a 50 amp breaker, 6 gauge wire, and set it up with the DIP switches as follows (outlined below) and as per instructions for a 40 amp delivery (80% of the breaker):

Dip 1: down/off
Dip 2: down/off
Dip 3: on
Dip 4: on
Dip 5 on

Still, my iX will only hit 4 kWh. Settings in the car and charging app are as they should. I don’t have my AC limits set/turned on.

Updated firmware: check
Updated/correct settings in Wallbox app: check

I can’t figure it out. Anyone else experience this? What kWh are you getting with your home charger?

I am having the identical problem, exactly as you describe it. Haven’t been able to solve it.

 

Hopefully this solves your issue, as well.

 

The vehicle is set to charge at an unlimited max in iDrive and the BMW app.

You can see from the car’s display it’s registering the 40A max allowed from the BMW wall charger but only charging at 4 KW instead of the 9.6 KW it should be.

 

Same exact problem! I’ve done hours/days of research and can’t figure it out. I’ll keep you if I find anything.

 

Well, I discovered and fixed the problem. Install/wiring error. I followed wiring instructions from another site/blog and unfortunately they are not correct. I won't name them, but it comes up with a quick google search.

It had me incorrectly wire the white/neutral wire to the middle slot versus the other live/red wire. That explains why I was only getting half the juice.

Correct wiring is:
Slot 1: Black
Slot 2: Red
Slot 3: Green/ground

Cap the white/neutral wire. In the USA, only a level 1 EVSE needs neutral. Level 2 devices only need L1, L2, and safety ground.

Good luck. And do not attempt to perform your own electrical wiring. Hire a licensed Electrician. Be safe.

 

9.6kwh

 

When charging on AC there is no charge curve. It will be a steady line. Looking at the pic posted by @JordanBMW, you can see the problem is probably the walk unit only providing a limited charge. It is represented by the hashed line on the charge rate display. This is the same as when I go to EA and their charger is not working to full capacity. The car is accepting 40A but the charger is not giving it. Something is wrong with the setup of the wall charger or it is defective.
@Bakk0020, you may want to have another car use your charger to see if it works on theirs, and you will rule out a problem with your car.

 

Here's a picture of charging with the BMW Wallbox.

 

Doubtful, but you could put an amp meter on it to see. But if the Wallbox is only pulling 20 amps, that's all you will see.
Maybe it's a bad unit, it is made in China, lol.

 

Did you check and see if the software in the Wallbox is up to date? My unit needed an update when I installed it 3 months ago.

 

Yes, firmware is up to date. Thank you for all your help and suggestions

 

I had this same problem. I have another electric (Mini SE) that was drawing the correct KWH. When I created a time slot for the iX it solved my problem of slow charge speeds. Not sure why this happened, but that was the solution for me.

 

So strange. Let me know if you find anything out. I'll do the same.

One theory I'm looking into is the ambient temperature. I live in the desert where 100 degree temps are the norm this time of year. I wonder if the wallbox OR car throttles AC charging levels at high temps? I read somewhere that other EV cars (Kia, Hyundai?) do, but haven't found anything about BMW yet.

 

Strange indeed!

I’ll let you know if I uncover anything. I live in southeast Michigan and haven’t seen any affect on charging based on ambient temperature.

 

Are you sure that in the wallbox app it is set for 40 amps?
I have the identical unit, wiring and settings and mine works fine.

 

100% sure. Good to know others are working fine. How many kW are you getting?

 

Found this fine print:

** - 30 miles per 1 hour of charging estimated for the 2023 BMW i4 eDrive40 at 9.6 kW charging rate. Actual range will vary depending on multiple factors, including but not limited to: vehicle model, tire and wheel selection, driving style, traffic conditions, battery charge level when charging begins and outside temperatures.

So it seems that if your installation is correct, your kW may still be impacted by outside temperatures or the charge level/curve. Not sure the exact impact, but maybe this explains?

I tried a hard reset and I'm still only getting between 4-5 kW as opposed to 9.6 kW, 91 degrees F ambient temp.

 

I also found this:

In fact, there are two different charging stations with2 different order numbers.
Maybe look at it and see if you can find the type which has been installed.
Looks to be the old versions.

 

I have a BMW Wallbox charger installed in my garage that is getting only 4 kWh. Not bad, but for my amperage and settings it should be getting 9.6 kWh at 40A.

It’s installed correctly. In fact, I shut off the breaker and triple checked that the DIP switches are set correctly for my amperage.

I have it installed on a 50 amp breaker, 6 gauge wire, and set it up with the DIP switches as follows (outlined below) and as per instructions for a 40 amp delivery (80% of the breaker):

Dip 1: down/off
Dip 2: down/off
Dip 3: on
Dip 4: on
Dip 5 on

Still, my iX will only hit 4 kWh. Settings in the car and charging app are as they should. I don’t have my AC limits set/turned on.

Updated firmware: check
Updated/correct settings in Wallbox app: check

I can’t figure it out. Anyone else experience this? What kWh are you getting with your home charger?

Maybe this?

 

Thank you for all the suggestions and information. Very helpful!

Install and dip switch settings are correct, reset the breaker, hard reset on car, but still only pulling 20 amps and ~4 kW.

Next I'll try the reset button inside the wallbox to see if that makes any difference. Doubt it, but worth a try.

Could my breaker be bad? 50A breaker, maybe replace that?

Wallbox BMW 61 90 5 A1E 1B3
Model: EIAW-U9KSBU7B01
Output: 1 phase / 240V~ / 40A / MAX. 9.6kW / 60Hx

 

Thank you for all the suggestions and information. Very helpful!

Install and dip switch settings are correct, reset the breaker, hard reset on car, but still only pulling 20 amps and ~4 kWh.

Next I'll try the reset button inside the wallbox to see if that makes any difference. Doubt it, but worth a try.

Could my breaker be bad? 50A breaker, maybe replace that?

Wallbox BMW 61 90 5 A1E 1B3
Model: EIAW-U9KSBU7B01
Output: 1 phase / 240V~ / 40A / MAX. 9.6kW / 60Hx

Nothing to do with your breaker. This is a security if something is going wrong and is completely passive.

 

…

 

Wasn't the breaker.

 

Folks, if you're going to live in the EV world then you need to get your terms right.

When you charge, the current you pull is in kilowattts (kW) not kilowatt hours (kWh).

kWh is the energy stored in your pack and kWh=(charge rate in kW) * (hours charged)

 

OK. Corrected.

Thank you for taking the time to explain that in detail. I hope you feel better.

 

Could you verify if the first dip-switch has at least an Amp >40A, like this one:

 

I’ve got it all figured out, Hans. Thank you for your help!

 

I use the charge point unit, hardwired and get 11 kw charging.