Dash light issue on E85 Z4

Dash light issue on E85 Z4

Author
Discussion

bcadou

Original Poster:

270 posts

181 months

Thursday 30th May 2019
quotequote all
Hi

After having a flat battery replaced, several light on the dashboard are on.



1. am I right to think I need to reprog the car?
2. if so, would you know a specialist to recommend in London to do the job please? I can only drive the car on week end only so hopefully there is someone open on week ends

thank you very much

Ben

naturalaspiration

639 posts

84 months

Thursday 30th May 2019
quotequote all
You need to read the error log first. Then erase the log and see if and what exactly comes back after a short drive.

bcadou

Original Poster:

270 posts

181 months

Thursday 30th May 2019
quotequote all
Sometimes, the dash lights turn off. And then, after a short drive, they come back. Does that help?

How can I read the error log please? I have no computer at hand or cable to plug the car to, I dont mind bringing the car to someone to sort all this

thanks again

parabolica

6,724 posts

185 months

Thursday 30th May 2019
quotequote all
That light combo is the code for the brake pressure valves; one of them (there are 2) has gone faulty (assuming the car doesn't drive any differently after they come on). Same happened to mine a few months ago.

Lift the bonnet and you'll find the valves in the top left-hand corner, as circled. At least one, maybe 2 are faulty. I got replacement valves off ebay (part number can be found on the BMW OEM parts website) from china, replaced them, and problem solved. The valves were only a few quid each so I didn't waste time trying to find out which valve had gone faulty - I figured if one had gone, the other was probably not far behind.



Valves simply unscrew (you'll need a set of mole grips or a shifter big enough); only complication is trying to minimise brake fluid leakage as you need to remove both valves before replacing each one (you can't access the one nearest the bulkhead with the outer valve still in place). Easiest solution to that is to seal your brake fluid reservoir with clingfilm so you create a vacuum.

It's a 5-10 min job, you just need to know the sequence in which to do things.

ETA if you still want someone to handle, I can recommend Adrian at Gilberts for BMW in Gunnersbury; he's my local indy and very good - proper old-school mechanic.

Edited by parabolica on Thursday 30th May 14:52

bcadou

Original Poster:

270 posts

181 months

Thursday 30th May 2019
quotequote all
Thank you very much, parabolica

bcadou

Original Poster:

270 posts

181 months

Thursday 30th May 2019
quotequote all
I looked for the part on www.realoem.com but I am not too sure and scared to make a mistake. If you have 1 minute to spare to a hopeless guy like myself, would you be able to have a look and pin point me to the right part, please?

thank you again Parabolica.

And if I am still in doubt, I will definitely call Adrian, thanks again for that name too

parabolica

6,724 posts

185 months

Thursday 30th May 2019
quotequote all
Part number is 34521164458 (part #2 on this page.

Stick that 345... number into an ebay search and you'll see options come up. It's a common BMW part used across all cars around the same age, so don't be alarmed by seeing it listed for a 3/5 series. Most of the sellers are hong-kong based; I managed to find one who sold a set of two valves for ~£15 delivered - you might need to look around a bit for a similar deal.

bcadou

Original Poster:

270 posts

181 months

Thursday 30th May 2019
quotequote all
thank you very much mate

aquarianone

498 posts

178 months

Thursday 30th May 2019
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Before you order anything, might be worth at least getting the codes read & reset...

Mr Tidy

22,411 posts

128 months

Friday 31st May 2019
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aquarianone said:
Before you order anything, might be worth at least getting the codes read & reset...
Definitely the best starting point - my E86 had an Amber EML (for post-cats on both banks) but while my BMW Indy had it in for a diagnosis the battery died! I suspect the dying battery is what caused the EML. BMWs of this era seem to throw up random fault codes when the battery is on it's last legs.

Might be worth saying where you are - someone with a code reader may be able to help you out.



bcadou

Original Poster:

270 posts

181 months

Friday 31st May 2019
quotequote all
Thank you all

I am at W1D 4PX (central london). Is there anyone around me with such a reader? thanks again

aquarianone

498 posts

178 months

Friday 31st May 2019
quotequote all
Might be worth also asking on here...

https://z4-forum.com/forum/index.php?sid=92bd3adb5...

and see if there's anyone around, or any recommended local indy's.

The last time I had the ABS trinity of lights, I'd changed all four wheels / tyres / spacers and a day later the lights popped up....turns out the steering angle sensor needed resetting, simple fix thankfully!

Mr Tidy

22,411 posts

128 months

Friday 31st May 2019
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Well you could do worse than just buy a code reader!

My Indy is pretty reasonable on charges, but last year I decided to buy this seeing as I run 2 BMWs, Mrs Tidy has an R56 Mini, my sister has an R50 Mini and my nephew has an E46 3 Series.

I haven't used it yet, but will do soon as my sister has a couple of amber warning lights.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B011KMS2VA/ref...


Vroomer

1,866 posts

181 months

Saturday 1st June 2019
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Yes, before doing anything, check the codes. The battery went flat in my E86 and after jump-starting it it, I found the car had gone into 'Transport Mode' which disables various functions and turns some warning lights on. It took an indy 5 mins to re-programme at a cost of £66.

bcadou

Original Poster:

270 posts

181 months

Tuesday 4th June 2019
quotequote all
thank you all., i will buy the code reader recommended by Mr Tidy then, cheers