BMW Code Meanings 5F1E

[wpoll]

Oh yeah, I haven't forgotten your original question - the ABS code - will keep researching.

[rule1110]

Originally Posted by wpoll

Thermostat sounds ok but if you are keen, you can monitor the engine temp via the onboard-computer (BC) on the cluster (dash) - item #7 once you unlock the BC. And item #9 is the battery voltage. Monitor them both for a few normal driving cycles to put you mind at rest then just enjoy the ride!

Yes, the PCV is the crankcase vent - our LCI cars use the newer vortex style oil separator. It shouldn't need much maint. but I'll swap out the vortex module and gaskets when I hit 200,000kms (later this year).

BTW, if you monitor the battery voltage via the BC, it seems to read about 0.4-0.5v low - 13.8v on the BC is 14.2v at the battery charge terminals on my car. If I see 13.8v on the BC, I know I'm good.

I can tell when my battery is getting a little low though. Short runs and cold morning (plus extended use of the aux. heater on remote! ) mean that the battery loses charge over the course of my normal week. By Friday, I can see the ASC/DSC and/or ABS lights pop up briefly as I turn the starter, indicating a low-volt condition. They only flicker briefly but I can tell it's time for a decent drive or an external charger.

My normal startup routine involves turning the key to the run position, then waiting for the ASC/DCS to go out (after they complete the self-test cycle), then flicking the key to the start position. If the ASC/DSC lights flicker during the crank, then the battery is getting a little low.

This isn't gospel, just what I've noticed in a year and 20,000kms of ownership...

*edit* - nominal operating temp for our diesels is 88 Deg. C.

Thanks mate. Some good helpful info there. How do I unlock the board computer? I took out my business CD player when I first got the car and installed an Avin Avant 2 so I no longer have access to using the board computer. I can cycle through the options via the stalk but I just leave it on the clock setting most of the time. I check fuel consumption which is 9L/100km on highway and 12.5L/100km around town. I ended up giving my BC to my dad as he has an older petrol x5 and his pixels went out, I've kept his old BC which I just plug in temporarily to set my clock if I ever disconnect the battery.

[rule1110]

Originally Posted by wpoll

Oh yeah, I haven't forgotten your original question - the ABS code - will keep researching.

Thanks mate. I was going to order a wheel speed sensor (DSC pulse generator) because this site said it was the front right ABS sensor. Looks similar to changing the brake pad wear sensor.

OBD Cloud - Pay As You Go Automotive Data. Powered by Autodata.

I was looking up some on ebay and probably get one for about $30.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by rule1110

Thanks mate. Some good helpful info there. How do I unlock the board computer? I took out my business CD player when I first got the car and installed an Avin Avant 2 so I no longer have access to using the board computer. I can cycle through the options via the stalk but I just leave it on the clock setting most of the time. I check fuel consumption which is 9L/100km on highway and 12.5L/100km around town. I ended up giving my BC to my dad as he has an older petrol x5 and his pixels went out, I've kept his old BC which I just plug in temporarily to set my clock if I ever disconnect the battery.

I think I remember you mentioning the MID swap with your Dad in an earlier thread....

The unit in the centre of the dash you are referring to is called the MID - Multifunction Information Display. The BC is the text that runs along the bottom of your instruments (cluster) - where you can read your fuel consumption at the moment (which seems normal, BTW - although I've seen 6.5L/100km highway and usually run around ~10L/100km in town but I drive like a granny).

Qsilver7 has a great post on how to unlock and read the BC (sometimes call the CC or Check Control display): -

http://www.xoutpost.com/1007582-post12.html

KTMP: and VB: are the values you are interested in.

Re. the wheel speed sensor, if it was actually faulty I'd guess you would have more than just a mystery code lurking in the fault memory - there would be other, more obvious warnings such as tire inflation warnings, ABS/ASC/DSC lights etc. All these systems rely on good rotational data from each wheel; interrupt any wheel speed sensor and everything gets weird or shuts down.

But I doubt it can hurt to change it, if you feel so inclined.

[wpoll]

Oh yeah, you asked about the thermostat task - not too bad. Cost for OEM unit was NZ$175 so rather expensive but I wouldn't trust any other brand for this part.

Here's my post on the task: -

http://www.xoutpost.com/1079662-post7235.html

Took me about two hours, taking my time. The coolant bleeding etc. took the most time.

[rule1110]

Originally Posted by wpoll

Oh yeah, you asked about the thermostat task - not too bad. Cost for OEM unit was NZ$175 so rather expensive but I wouldn't trust any other brand for this part.

Here's my post on the task: -

http://www.xoutpost.com/1079662-post7235.html

Took me about two hours, taking my time. The coolant bleeding etc. took the most time.

I might have to look into changing my thermostat too. I used the BC to look at the temps and driving around town they sit in the 65-70 range. Even after nearly an hour driving the best I saw was 75 degrees. Doesn't seem to be able to get anywhere near 88 degrees. How long does yours take to get up to temp? Next time I take a trip on the highway I'll see where it gets to but I would have thought it should get up to temp a bit quicker than that.
Checked the battery and it goes between 13.6 and 13.8 which seems correct.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by rule1110

I might have to look into changing my thermostat too.

Yes, it does rather look like it....

Originally Posted by rule1110

I used the BC to look at the temps and driving around town they sit in the 65-70 range. Even after nearly an hour driving the best I saw was 75 degrees. Doesn't seem to be able to get anywhere near 88 degrees. How long does yours take to get up to temp? Next time I take a trip on the highway I'll see where it gets to but I would have thought it should get up to temp a bit quicker than that.

Mine was exactly like yours - struggling to get above 60-70 Deg. C. - even climbing hills etc. On the highway it was worse, due to the higher air flow through the radiator.

After the thermostat change it's up to mid-eighties in around 8-10kms (on a cold winter morning) and it stays up there. It climbs to low-nineties pulling a trailer up a hill but drops back to mid-eighties going down the other side. X5 seems to be running better too - and less smoke on hard acceleration.

Originally Posted by rule1110

Checked the battery and it goes between 13.6 and 13.8 which seems correct.

Yep. Sounds about right.

[wpoll]

Hey Nial,

Regarding your original question - about the code 5F1E - I've found very little except a question on another forum that might shed some light on your code: -

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...OM-deactivated

5F1E 5f1e - variant code: Info : Trailer_Oscillation_Logic on EEPROM deactivated.

This raises a question or two for you - do you have a towbar and do you have the OEM trailer module fitted? And is the trailer wiring loom (in the car) stock, or has it been modified in any way?

The ABS system includes a "trailer mode" that is activated when a trailer is attached to the trailer module. The trailer module does a few other things as well (lamp checking on the trailer, changes to DSC mode) so it's possible this code is being stored due to something fruity in the trailer wiring loom (on the car), or a fault in the trailer module itself (if fitted).

Curioser and curiouser...

[wpoll]

A few other threads that mention this code...

Hello from Devon

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...rror-code.html

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...nderneath.html

[rule1110]

Originally Posted by wpoll

A few other threads that mention this code...

Hello from Devon

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...rror-code.html

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...nderneath.html

Thanks mate, I'll have a read of these.
To answer the question about tow bar it doesn't have one fitted. I can't see any signs of one being fitted either as the plastic cut out where the tow bar would go is still in place.