BMW E60 - multiple faults appearing out of no where

[nemotors_tony]

Need help with this issue ASAP

I've just bought a 2006 525D M Sport Automatic from auction, the car can be drove without any issues. However, if I put my foot down just a little all of a sudden multiple faults come out of no where. The CCC unit firstly says...

ABS Control Systems - brake and driving control systems failure
Steering Lock Engaged - the electro-mechanical steering wheel lock system (ELV) is inhibiting engine start

Along with these issues it also shows flat tyre run monitor fault, transmission fault, stability fault. While all this is happening the screen is also flashing on and off, the headlights are flashing on and off and the speed dial even goes crazy going all the way backwards and forwards. As you can imagine, this is quite concerning and I'm need of some help. If I stop turn the car off and start back up again, most of the time the faults have gone but within minutes of driving the problems arise once again.

I've just collected the car from a local German car specialists where they charged me £135 for carrying out a diagnostic, updating the CCC and calibrating the steering angle sensor. Unfortunately, I drove away from the garage car driving all well and within the hour I'm back to square one.

All information and help would be much appreciated

[jontysafe]

Try a new battery before anything else

[essayer]

Absolutely a new battery before anything else. The e46 would go nuts if the voltage were low, very similar symptoms to what you describe (headlights flashing even when they were switched off!)

[nemotors_tony]

I had actually tested the health of the battery before I took it to the garage as had read it could be a duff battery. Do you still think it could be a dodgy battery even tho the health/charge is in good state

[jontysafe]

New battery and not sure if this is needed on this particular car.......get it coded to the car

[jontysafe]

Or you’ve bought a flood damaged car.........

If that’s not been disclosed then return time

[OldGermanHeaps]

If its not the battery check all the earths. Failing that something will be dragging the canbus down. I had similar in a peugeot, water in a module was putting spurious data on the canbus, without touching anything the windows would go up and down, roof would go up and down, flashing headlights and wipers were doing a sort of spastic dance and the radio would come on and off and change stations by itself. Disconnecting the module solved everything( apart from the airbag light which was expected because it was one of the srs modules.)
Do you have an oscilloscope? I would also get on ebay and get an inpa or similar. Or check the return policy at the auction, but i doubt electrics are covered. I hope it was very very cheap?

Edited by OldGermanHeaps on Tuesday 9th January 20:19

[trickywoo]

I had exactly these symptoms on a 545i recently. Turned out to be the regulator / rectifier which was varying between over and under voltage causing various systems to shut down and throw error codes.

That being said I’d try the battery too from an expense limiting point of view and then the charging system generally. Could be an IBS issue too but more likely if your battery box area is wet.

[nemotors_tony]

Yeh I read it could be faulty intelligent battery sensor. Think i’ll start off tomorrow stripping the battery putting it on charge for the day then check out the terminals and earths. Abit reluctant to buy a new battery as there over £200 and if that doesn’t solve stuck with two battery’s. Bloody cars!

[Sardonicus]

OldGermanHeaps said:

If its not the battery check all the earths. Failing that something will be dragging the canbus down. I had similar in a peugeot, water in a module was putting spurious data on the canbus, without touching anything the windows would go up and down, roof would go up and down, flashing headlights and wipers were doing a sort of spastic dance and the radio would come on and off and change stations by itself. Disconnecting the module solved everything( apart from the airbag light which was expected because it was one of the srs modules.)
Do you have an oscilloscope? I would also get on ebay and get an inpa or similar. Or check the return policy at the auction, but i doubt electrics are covered. I hope it was very very cheap?

Edited by OldGermanHeaps on Tuesday 9th January 20:19

This ^

[MajorBeef]

Have you checked the boot for water? Right at the very bottom, under the spare wheel foam bit