E60 545i electrical weirdness
Discussion
Just wondered if anyone could help with electrical gremlins on my 545?
Since I've had it (couple of years and 10k miles) it gives a dynamic drive failure warning about once a week, sometimes less. Sometimes also an active steering failure message. These always go away following a restart and I don't think I have a fundamental issue with either system.
Annoying but I can live with it.
However, over the past week within the first five minutes of the first journey of the day I get every warning light you can imagine with the exception of engine and oil. ABS, seatbelt, active steering, dynamic drive, control system, run flat etc and transmission (which locks the gearbox in third, alhtough I can get reverse and park). The eingine still runs smooth with the dash lit up like the bridge on the Enterprise. Turning it off for 10 seconds will reset everything and i'll see no warning lights for the rest of the day, including if I park up for 20 minutes and start again.
The I-drive screen also goes blank during the hicup but comes back on to show all the faults.
If I was giving advice on this to someone else I'd say to check the battery, which I have done and found it to be OK. I've also tried the IBS connected and disconnected. I've removed the battery and charged it overnight on an automatic battery conditioner and the first run within five minutes of putting it back in sees the same problems. Its a genuine BMW battery and the starter always cranks strongly.
It also seems to throw all the codes if I leave it idling on the drive on the first start of the day.
Any help much appreciated.
Since I've had it (couple of years and 10k miles) it gives a dynamic drive failure warning about once a week, sometimes less. Sometimes also an active steering failure message. These always go away following a restart and I don't think I have a fundamental issue with either system.
Annoying but I can live with it.
However, over the past week within the first five minutes of the first journey of the day I get every warning light you can imagine with the exception of engine and oil. ABS, seatbelt, active steering, dynamic drive, control system, run flat etc and transmission (which locks the gearbox in third, alhtough I can get reverse and park). The eingine still runs smooth with the dash lit up like the bridge on the Enterprise. Turning it off for 10 seconds will reset everything and i'll see no warning lights for the rest of the day, including if I park up for 20 minutes and start again.
The I-drive screen also goes blank during the hicup but comes back on to show all the faults.
If I was giving advice on this to someone else I'd say to check the battery, which I have done and found it to be OK. I've also tried the IBS connected and disconnected. I've removed the battery and charged it overnight on an automatic battery conditioner and the first run within five minutes of putting it back in sees the same problems. Its a genuine BMW battery and the starter always cranks strongly.
It also seems to throw all the codes if I leave it idling on the drive on the first start of the day.
Any help much appreciated.
I had e61 550i and had some similar issues. A new battery solved one batch of issues. Seems they are very sensitive to voltage variations which older batteries can give even if they crank ok.
Other issue i had was water leaking into the wheel well under boot. There are some power electronic boxes there that dont like getting wet. That one gave all warning lights on, no speedo or revs and auto box stuck in 3rd.
Other issue i had was water leaking into the wheel well under boot. There are some power electronic boxes there that dont like getting wet. That one gave all warning lights on, no speedo or revs and auto box stuck in 3rd.
As above, but pray to God you don't have active ride problems - you wouldn't believe what new parts cost to fix that. It does sound like a battery/charging fault - I was going to suggest a DSC/ABS fault but that wouldn't explain the seat belt warning.
Getting the fault codes read is a first step.
Getting the fault codes read is a first step.
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