Introduction and electrical question/issue (long thread)

[99Rocketman]

Hey Guys,

New to the forum here and new to owning an X5. Also not a new mechanic just new to BMW. (internet disclaimer)

I picked up a 2001 4.4i with around 88,000 miles on it a few weeks ago. Body and interior are pretty clean and I love the power of the V8!!! I just couldn't bring myself to buy a 3.0 (I've been messing with Ferraris every time I see one too)

Anyways, so when I got the truck most everything worked. Minus the rear widows because the slide track cables shit the bed. What a crappy design. Luckily I didn't have to replace the motors.

Now after a few weeks of driving it daily issues have started to show up. The horn, speedometer and front passenger side window all seem to work when they want. The pads and rotors all checkout ok squeak like hell! No major oil leaks and tranny seems solid.

After doing some research on this site and a few of the others about my issues, it sounds like my problem could be related to either the ignition switch or the clock spring. I already eliminated the fuses and relays from being faulty.

Next I ran through some test I read on another post to help diagnose the issue. One being : turn on the car then radio, drop the rearview mirror and open the the mirror slide cover. (suggested by I think a member named Ouick7, who seems to be on every forum)

When I did this the radio shut off, and at the time the horn was not working. When I pressed on the horn the rear brake lights came on and the AIRBAG warning light was on but would dim at the same time. This lead me to believe that the clock spring was bad over the ignition switch.

Yesterday everything started working again with the exception of the DSC, ABS and BRAKE light warning lights still being illuminated. And now the PDC doesn't work either. The windows the horn and speedo work just fine.

So my question is, is this just the way E53's are? When things like the clock spring or ignition switch fail do they act this way as mine or do they just stop working all together?

My understanding of most parts on cars like , fuses, relays, wheel speed sensors etc... when they brake they are broke.

And before I go throwing money and parts at this thing I'd like to hear from some of you guys more experienced with E53 than myself.

Thanks for reading.