2003 BMW 530iA Sport Touring (E39)
Discussion
Not much progress since last time. The second wiper puller arrived after a balls-up with Hermes which went missing for two weeks, and then it too doesn't extend enough to go over the spindle. The new fan cowl is due next week after ordering last week.
I need something to extend over 40mm so I am considering taking a punt on this which claims 41mm:
I noticed the headlamp seals were crumbling and fortunately I had some in stock left over from the green one. An easy win for a change. Yes the lenses are desperate for a polish.
I need something to extend over 40mm so I am considering taking a punt on this which claims 41mm:
I noticed the headlamp seals were crumbling and fortunately I had some in stock left over from the green one. An easy win for a change. Yes the lenses are desperate for a polish.
The new hose was fitted yesterday and now no leaks. I called in to the garage and asked if they could remove the LH wiper spacer and gratiously he did it while I waited FOC.
The new scuttle panel is in and looks much better but as an idiot I dropped the LH wiper nut and washer down the bulkhead somewhere. I will order these from Cotswold BMW.
Cleaning before fitment.
After I eventually finish this that leaves EML, ABS light and front alignment then I think I will move it on.
The new scuttle panel is in and looks much better but as an idiot I dropped the LH wiper nut and washer down the bulkhead somewhere. I will order these from Cotswold BMW.
Cleaning before fitment.
After I eventually finish this that leaves EML, ABS light and front alignment then I think I will move it on.
Short answer, no. I am not using it, nor can I see myself using it much in the future. The insurance is due 16 August and I think I will SORN it next month. If I hadn't been made redundant I would probably keep it. Having said that the renewal is £190 so not a lot of money. I have time to ponder though.
I finished off the cowl after the nut and washer was delivered by Cotswold. They took a week from DE.
I removed the previously fitted DIY breather blank and replaced it with the factory part. I also changed a smaller one but the third one is tricky to reach so yet to do. The EML is still on though.
I removed the previously fitted DIY breather blank and replaced it with the factory part. I also changed a smaller one but the third one is tricky to reach so yet to do. The EML is still on though.
A trip over to MyAlloys for a go on its Hunter geometry machine.
We decided to leave any adjustments for now as something is definitely not right with it. The steering can be notchy and it's very heavy. He reported both rear arm upper bushes look poor and cracked. It won't drive in a straight line and skips over medium bumps. I will book it in for a full check over with the garage.
In other news the recent fan coupling has failed as it's always engaged so I will have to claim from ECP.
We decided to leave any adjustments for now as something is definitely not right with it. The steering can be notchy and it's very heavy. He reported both rear arm upper bushes look poor and cracked. It won't drive in a straight line and skips over medium bumps. I will book it in for a full check over with the garage.
In other news the recent fan coupling has failed as it's always engaged so I will have to claim from ECP.
The headlamps are done and much better so some good news for a change. He even knocked off £15 as it took less time than he expected.
My usual garage has a three-week lead time so I have booked in to a new place recommended to me called Fergie's Garage in Thatcham. I popped in for a chat and it's a modern, clean place. The owner has said the head tech will come out with me for a test drive to ascertain the handling and steering issues. It also has a Hunter machine so I didn't have to go over to Basingstoke after all, though MyAlloys didn't charge me, which was nice.
I have removed the seized fan coupling and will collect a new Mahle one tomorrow.
My usual garage has a three-week lead time so I have booked in to a new place recommended to me called Fergie's Garage in Thatcham. I popped in for a chat and it's a modern, clean place. The owner has said the head tech will come out with me for a test drive to ascertain the handling and steering issues. It also has a Hunter machine so I didn't have to go over to Basingstoke after all, though MyAlloys didn't charge me, which was nice.
I have removed the seized fan coupling and will collect a new Mahle one tomorrow.
TonyRPH said:
Does the speedometer still work when the ABS light comes on?
There's a known issue with these where the ABS electronic unit fails intermittently (and then eventually fails permanently) as they get overheated by the proximity to the engine / exhaust manifold.
BBS Reman can repair them, but they are not always repairable (mine wasn't - I had to buy a new one for £350)...
yes speedo works. I will clean the ABS sensors first when I find a suitable moment. It's already had a second hand pump unit but I thought if that goes then another light comes on, i.e. the holy trinity of ABS pump unit failure. I may be incorrect of course.There's a known issue with these where the ABS electronic unit fails intermittently (and then eventually fails permanently) as they get overheated by the proximity to the engine / exhaust manifold.
BBS Reman can repair them, but they are not always repairable (mine wasn't - I had to buy a new one for £350)...
Thinking about it I may ask the garage to plug in as I still have the intermittant EML on as well.
I haven't updated for a few months. I took it to a new-to-me German service specialist to check the overall suspension and steering. As I feared the rack was shot along with cooked PAS fluid. A new rack, TREs and £1,300 later and it's driving a lot better. It's still way too camber sensitive for my liking and compared against my old 2.5.
I took it back as the steering wheel was still on the piss to the right and it had another go at alignment on its Hunter machine.
After rack fitted and how it was when I collected:
Second attempt:
A bit of an improvement but the steering wheel is still off to the right. It said the next step was to replace all the suspension and with that wonderful attempt at diagnosis, I bid it farewell. I will book it in with WiM. I may replace the tyres to all-seasons but cash is not coming in at the moment so they will have to wait.
I then booked in to my usual garage and asked it to check over the work done and inspect the suspension. It gave it the all-clear. At the same time it reset the EML (fault code relating to fuel tank vent valve and fuel trim). £48 today please sir.
I hadn't had the ABS light return since the rack was fitted a month prior, not that I had driven it more than 100 miles, and as I drove out of the garage it came back on! I had cleaned one sensor but I really CBA with it so I will book it back in.
I took it back as the steering wheel was still on the piss to the right and it had another go at alignment on its Hunter machine.
After rack fitted and how it was when I collected:
Second attempt:
A bit of an improvement but the steering wheel is still off to the right. It said the next step was to replace all the suspension and with that wonderful attempt at diagnosis, I bid it farewell. I will book it in with WiM. I may replace the tyres to all-seasons but cash is not coming in at the moment so they will have to wait.
I then booked in to my usual garage and asked it to check over the work done and inspect the suspension. It gave it the all-clear. At the same time it reset the EML (fault code relating to fuel tank vent valve and fuel trim). £48 today please sir.
I hadn't had the ABS light return since the rack was fitted a month prior, not that I had driven it more than 100 miles, and as I drove out of the garage it came back on! I had cleaned one sensor but I really CBA with it so I will book it back in.
MoT day and it's passed but only as the garage reset the lights before test. He's good that way. He printed off the codes
EML: 'motor electronics DME activation solenoid tank valve ventilation'
ABS light: '000077 DSC - pressure sensor zero deviation'
'000058 DSC - pre-charge pump'
'0000 - brake lamp switch plausible'
I am now off to seach the interwebs and find out more
£68 today please sir.
EML: 'motor electronics DME activation solenoid tank valve ventilation'
ABS light: '000077 DSC - pressure sensor zero deviation'
'000058 DSC - pre-charge pump'
'0000 - brake lamp switch plausible'
I am now off to seach the interwebs and find out more
£68 today please sir.
From this thread https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... I have splashed out £2 for a new fuel cap seal. I have just driven 10 miles and so far no EML. Fingers crossed.
It's booked in next Thursday to remove the incorrect hydraulic fluid from the PAS and replace with ATF.
It's booked in next Thursday to remove the incorrect hydraulic fluid from the PAS and replace with ATF.
An overdue update
The fuel cap seal was not the answer to the EML so I ordered the fuel tank vent valve under the intake manifold. The MoT was due in January so I booked in for that, fit the valve and a small service.
On the way to the garage it lost all drive and I feared the worst and that the 'box had failed. It came back and I made it the one mile to the garage.
The transmission cooler had failed and dumped the ATF in the car park at the garage, and I also found a pool back home where the car was parked. (any ideas how to mop that up? Kitty litter has not worked)
Thus what I expected to be a modest bill turned out to be new radiator + coolant, trans cooler, ATF + filter, small service, fit the valve and MoT (pass with no advisories - hooray). It came in at just under £1,000.
The EML has not come on since but I still have the ABS light randomly (didn't come on for the test fortunately)
With fewer than 1,500 miles in two years this has cost more than £1.60 per mile in repairs. Joy.
The fuel cap seal was not the answer to the EML so I ordered the fuel tank vent valve under the intake manifold. The MoT was due in January so I booked in for that, fit the valve and a small service.
On the way to the garage it lost all drive and I feared the worst and that the 'box had failed. It came back and I made it the one mile to the garage.
The transmission cooler had failed and dumped the ATF in the car park at the garage, and I also found a pool back home where the car was parked. (any ideas how to mop that up? Kitty litter has not worked)
Thus what I expected to be a modest bill turned out to be new radiator + coolant, trans cooler, ATF + filter, small service, fit the valve and MoT (pass with no advisories - hooray). It came in at just under £1,000.
The EML has not come on since but I still have the ABS light randomly (didn't come on for the test fortunately)
With fewer than 1,500 miles in two years this has cost more than £1.60 per mile in repairs. Joy.
I read on BimmerWorld of one person who fixed his ABS light with a brake bleed. As this is a low cost thing to try I popped over to a mate's yesterday who has a decent workshop and necessary tools. There was a lot of air in the system especially the rear lines; it took nearly a litre of fluid. I drove back from his and so far so good but it's early days as there is no distinctive pattern as to when it will happen.
The EML came on again with the bank 1 and 2 lean codes pointing towards a vacuum leak somewhere. I messed about with the intake hose to the air flow meter as it did not seem fully home and it went out. If that is it then a very fortunate and easy repair. It has not come back on since.
I have a noisy pulley somewhere. It is worse with the aircon on but still there slightly with it off. I need to probe further but I hope it is a idler pulley that is shot and not a compressor bearing.
https://youtube.com/shorts/7_SePbK6hEc
The EML came on again with the bank 1 and 2 lean codes pointing towards a vacuum leak somewhere. I messed about with the intake hose to the air flow meter as it did not seem fully home and it went out. If that is it then a very fortunate and easy repair. It has not come back on since.
I have a noisy pulley somewhere. It is worse with the aircon on but still there slightly with it off. I need to probe further but I hope it is a idler pulley that is shot and not a compressor bearing.
https://youtube.com/shorts/7_SePbK6hEc
No warning lights for 2 days so I was feeling a bit better, but no. Just when I sort two warning lights then the dreaded transmission warning on the display. Plugged in and it's P0741 torque converter code. It's definitely slipping.
A quick search and it's not something that seems readily available. Any recommended suppliers for a TC?
A quick search and it's not something that seems readily available. Any recommended suppliers for a TC?
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