E39 Problem with centre console.. working on and off.....

[sparks_E39]

I have a strange problem with my car. For a while now there has been a fault with the steering wheel, as in it loses all its functions or some of them, although it has been a few weeks and about 500 miles since it has done this. Now the past couple of days it has happened again and seems to have taken the centre console along with it. I noticed the other day a slight flickering on the centre display and didn't think a lot of it, I started the car yesterday and it was completely blank with no music and, again- steering wheel functions were not working. Same thing happened today, it worked on the journey home from work, but went to use it again a couple of hours ago and it wasn't working.

I can still get the time display to work by pressing the clock button. I thought it may be something to do with the fuses, but they all look fine, strange thing was as soon as I put the fuses back and turned the ignition everything is now working. Has anyone had this before? The steering wheel issue is likely to be the slip ring, but I don't know what's wrong with the centre console, I don't like driving without music! Everything in my car is as standard on a 1999 528 SE model.

[tdm34ds]

I believe your problem will be related to your ignition switch, I remember a similar prob a while
ago and it turned out to be the switch. Dont worry it's not the key bit but the switch barrel
behind, apparantly it's an easy and inexpensive fix

I'm sure there will be a real BMW tech along soon to help

Regards Gandalf.......................