E39 electrical gremlins or real problems?

E39 electrical gremlins or real problems?

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Kinky

Original Poster:

39,302 posts

268 months

Saturday 9th February 2008
quotequote all
Decided to pop out this afternoon to Camberley (about 6 miles away) for a spot of shopping.

Everything was fine, and then for no reason at all the radio just cut out - including the display. No matter of button pushing would make it come back on! So I assumed that perhaps the relevant fuse had blown. Easy enough to check and not a major problem (assuming the same fuse did not cover other things as well).

Anyway, I digress.

Arrived at M&S, did the quick spot of shopping, and started the car up again. The radio still did not work. On our way out of the car park I ran over some rumble strips and all of a sudden the radio burst into life. My assumption now was simply a loose wire somewhere.

Arrived at Homebase to get some paint samples. When I started the car up again, this time the radio was fine, but the airbag light AND the 'automatic Tranmission' (amber) lights both came on and stayed on.

Added to this, none of the controls on the steering wheel work - ie the radio volume/channels, and the cruise control buttons.

So, now I'm wondering if in fact I don't have a 'formal' airbag problem, but simply a duff/loose connection on the steering wheel. This might explain the loss of controls on the wheel and the airbag light, but I doubt explain the radio simply disappearing for a short time, and of course, more importantly the 'auto gearbox' light coming on.

On my way home I did not notice the gearbox behaving any different than usual (ie - safe home mode), which makes me think that it is an electrical gremlin as opposed to an actual problem.

Does anyone have any pointers?

For reference, it's a 99 'T 523i SE auto Touring.

Ironically, I said to Mrs. K (before the radio cut out) that I will book it in for a service next week!

I thought I'd got rid of all electrical problems when I sold the Alfa and TiV ...... but it's clear they are back to haunt me.

Many thanks in advance,

K

P.S. - I have another problem in that there's no screen wash coming out of the jets. The bottle is full and I can hear the motor pumping away. I've traced the pipe as far as I can (in the engine bay) and there's no wash coming from it at that point - so I assume/guess that the filter by the pump is blocked and simply needs cleaning/replacing.

Neil.D

2,878 posts

205 months

Saturday 9th February 2008
quotequote all
Hi mate,
initially i would try disconnecting the battery and leaving it for 10mins. That should reset the system. See if it like that.

Failing that, you didnt mention if your car has the DSP system, there is a common fault to fix it, it all has the same symptoms as you describe. Here is the fix from m5board.com

(1) Insert key but do not turn on ignition
(2) Turn on headlights (don't ask but it works!)
(3) Disconnect battery
(4) Remove fuses no. 7 and no. 41 from holder in glovebox
(5) Wait 5 minutes
(6) Reconnect battery & plug fuses back in


Regarding you headlamp washers, sounds like you have a blockage. buy a small can of compressed air from a modelling shop and blast it throught the hoses. Worked for me on my E36.

Kinky

Original Poster:

39,302 posts

268 months

Saturday 9th February 2008
quotequote all
Some top tips there Neil - many thanks thumbup I'll give them a go tomorrow.

I don't have the DSP - lest I don't think I do. It's just a BMW standard radio, with a seperate casette slot near the top of the dash under a flap, and a multi-play CD in the boot.

When I disconnect the battery is there anything I need to be aware of when I re-connect it?

K

Neil.D

2,878 posts

205 months

Saturday 9th February 2008
quotequote all
Not really, just make sure they go back on the correct way!

You may get a small spark when u reconnect but as long as the key is out of the ignition (ie not turned to positions 1 or 2 ) there should be no problems. Mechanics do it everyday.

Kinky

Original Poster:

39,302 posts

268 months

Saturday 9th February 2008
quotequote all
Neil - no worries about the battery - used to do it almost daily with the Alfa and weekly with the TiV cry

I was thinking more about if I need to reset anything on the car once it's reconnected. But it sounds not thumbup

I'll do it tomorrow afternoon, and will update accordingly.

Thank you again.

K


Neil.D

2,878 posts

205 months

Saturday 9th February 2008
quotequote all
Ok mate, understood.
Other than the radio code coming up i cant think of anything else other than all of your mpg and similar may all be reset.

Good luck.

Edited by Neil.D on Saturday 9th February 21:05

scott10005

87 posts

193 months

Saturday 9th February 2008
quotequote all
Hi,pretty sure your fault is with the ignition switch (the electrical part on the back of the ignition barrel) they are prone to the electrical contacts burning out and creating a bad contact,all the faults you have described are consistent with the terminal "R" going missing,everything terminal "R" powered not working ie,radio,the airbag control unit (fault stored in unit will point to a missing "R" feed),also gearbox control unit unit and multi function steering wheel have the same feed going to them. You can confirm this fault by removing the column cover form behind the wheel and wiggling (technical term) the switch part when the fault occurs,you can also monitor the thick violet/white wire,when the fault is there you will only get about 1-8volts instead of 12v.
Hope this helps,
Scott

Kinky

Original Poster:

39,302 posts

268 months

Saturday 9th February 2008
quotequote all
Cheers Scott - ironically it was that very same problem that had me stumped for ages (and the AA) on the TiV. That was a real bugger to trace - not helped by the fact that most of the wiring was all black!

I'll have a specific nosey at that tomorrow, and a good old [technical term] wiggle wink

K

scott10005

87 posts

193 months

Saturday 9th February 2008
quotequote all
No problem,i've changed a few on E39's for the same faults u've described,if it is at fault,its just held in by 2 small flat head screws (they have a dab of paint on them for some reason). i think they're about £30 from your local dealer.

Kinky

Original Poster:

39,302 posts

268 months

Saturday 9th February 2008
quotequote all
Cheers Scott - believe you me - it's much appreciated.

K

< FORZA WEST

1,038 posts

208 months

Sunday 10th February 2008
quotequote all
I would look to the ignition switch...are the vanity mirror lights dim when both are on?Sometimes gives an indication that the switch is at fault.

Another good one that causes many hours of pondering is the connector for the cd multichanger in the boot.They sometimes end up sitting in water/damp this causes a short across the K bus which then sends all sorts of control units into dismay.Just dry it out if its damp.

fixedwheelnut

743 posts

231 months

Sunday 10th February 2008
quotequote all
Ditto Forza West's comments 'ign switch terminal R' and 'CD wiring', also if the instrument cluster warning lights such as indicator warning lights stop when the fault occurs check the radio cd/tape slot for money, I've had a couple where kids have shoved change in there causing intermittent shorts in the bus circuits.

VerySideways

10,237 posts

271 months

Monday 11th February 2008
quotequote all
Kinky, a friend of mine had almost exactly the same issues with his E39 right before his battery gave up the ghost. A couple of days later the car wouldn't start, and they tested the battery and it was knackered (old). New battery from Halfwits and all the problems went away.

Advice? Stick some jump leads in the boot, just in case...

Kinky

Original Poster:

39,302 posts

268 months

Monday 11th February 2008
quotequote all
Pete,

Thanks for that.

Ironically, one of my thoughts was that it might be battery related. Unfortunately the car is under-used (the MX5 is TOO much fun) and is used for lots of short journeys, and the occasional long journey. I did say to Mrs. K over the weekend that I was suprised the battery had lasted this long (2 years), and not knowing how old it is.

I guess a new one is in order anyway. Worst-case scenario is that we've got AA cover anyway, so they could supply one if needed - but it's going for a service very shortly (like this week or next), so I'll get them to check it and replace if needed.

I also have to confess that I did not have time to check the ignition wiring over the weekend - the intent was there, but family matters took priority. But I will update everyone on what the final cause/solution is/

Thanks again thumbup

K

Kinky

Original Poster:

39,302 posts

268 months

Wednesday 19th March 2008
quotequote all
Well - just a quick update to close this one off .....

Firstly - the symptoms were that the airbag and 'gearbox' lights were permanently on. The controls on the steering wheel (radio/cruise/etc) were not working, along with the horn. Opening the drivers or passengers visors and sliding the mirror cover across resulted in cutting the radio off, or resetting the dash computer, the airbag light turning off, etc, etc.

And finally, the rear wiper was not working.

So, firstly replaced the battery with a 90ah one - but that had no affect. The battery needed replacing anyway.

So the next obvious culprit was the ignition switch. Finally, a mate popped round this evening with his diagnostics tools, plugged it in and it was throwing up tons of errors - rear lights, gearbox, lambda probe, airbags, etc, etc, etc.

So, firstly installed an ignition switch bypass, to test if it was the ignition switch itself - and sure enough everything was working fine. So, replaced the ignition switch and job done - everything works perfectly - just as it was thumbup

Phew.

I was slightly concerned about the gearbox error - as I've never read a reference to that light coming on at any point - but fortunately the error was cleared!

And I then took it for a quick run, and as daft as this might sound - it seems to be running much better than before.

K

Firefox72

21 posts

194 months

Sunday 23rd March 2008
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Good news on the electrical gremlins!

Just on your washer problem. I've just bought a 535 on Thursday and thought that the garage hadn't topped off the reservoirs when I collected it. Looked under the bonnet and the reservoirs were topped off and the motor was whirring like a mad thing possessed.

However, with the bonnet up I could see water draining onto the windscreen from under the bonnet sound insulation. Undid the insulation and hey presto one of the pipes had come away from a nozzle. Reconnected it and all is well.

PS I live on Heatherside just outside of Camberley. If you see a blue 535i give us a flash!

Kinky

Original Poster:

39,302 posts

268 months

Sunday 23rd March 2008
quotequote all
G - Yeah - I've had the 'disconnected' pipes problem before thumbup

Fortunately, that was easy to trace.

I'll keep a lookout for you.

K


HarryW

15,150 posts

268 months

Saturday 21st March 2009
quotequote all
Top tip this chaps, I had airbag light, gearbox light, no rear wash wipe, steering wheel control of radio playing up, changed the ignition switch (£34) all faults now gone bar the gearbox light which is still lit frown. Should it have cleared at the same time as the rest or is it latched and a reset required somewhereconfused. It seems to drive pretty fine to me and I can still select all gears in steptronic mode too confused

'99 E39 528 touring auto btw.

HarryW

15,150 posts

268 months

Sunday 22nd March 2009
quotequote all
HarryW said:
Top tip this chaps, I had airbag light, gearbox light, no rear wash wipe, steering wheel control of radio playing up, changed the ignition switch (£34) all faults now gone bar the gearbox light which is still lit frown. Should it have cleared at the same time as the rest or is it latched and a reset required somewhereconfused. It seems to drive pretty fine to me and I can still select all gears in steptronic mode too confused

'99 E39 528 touring auto btw.
Good news the gearbox light has now gone out too, must have just needed a bit more cog turing to satisfy itself it really has got better hehe.
To re-iterate the list of strange problems that raise themselves when the ignition switch is on the way out is a top tip and perhaps deserves a sticky.

Kadivor

1 posts

172 months

Friday 6th November 2009
quotequote all
Hi,

Thanks for the information. I have been having similar intermittent problems:

horn stopped working, warning lights came on to show rear lights were both out, steering wheel controls for the radio and cruise control stopped working, radio stopped working, indicators stopped working, airbag light glowing faintly, brake lights came on when I was not in the vehicle, interior lights came on during a journey, rough running at idle (530d), gearbox light on etc...

I just replaced the ignition switch after seeing this thread and all problems have gone. BMW dealers were no help at all - they just offered to replace the gearbox....

Now - how do I stop the drivers side windscreen wiper chattering?

Cheers,

Kadivor