Picked this up last summer ... Issues and progress...

[DacidSalin]

Bi-Xenon headlight parts are on the way. Really excited to have working low beams.

New hitch is on it's way. I'm also excited that I won't have to hear the car scream at me every time I put it in reverse. Thanks for the PM @Effduration. I wish I had saw that sooner...

For some reason, my partner wants her air bag to work. Verified the passenger is not detected. Still cannot read any fault codes though. OBD Innovations still hasn't shipped my cable...

Not finding a seat occupancy detection mat or cushion for 2006 X5. This is close and they say it fits 2006 but then they say it's up to 9/2005.

So, I'm guessing a bypass is in the works...I've heard the seatbelt sensor needs to be bypassed also. I'll do some digging to find what needs to be done, whether I need to cobble up something with jumpers, resistors or whatever I have laying around...


Auto Headlights - Since I have a cracked windshield - A local shop says the windshields don't come with a rain sensor, that they just peel it off and move it. Problem is the sensor isn't working. No bubbles, no dirt on windshield, it still doesn't work consistent. Sometimes the wipers will wipe when dry. Most of the time they won't wipe when wet. So, still looking, but not a high priority. It seldom rains here.

[DacidSalin]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

I use the method of taking a big open end wrench pointing straight up and hit it hard with a 3-4# hammer to the left of the car (as you described clockwise to you facing the engine).

I made a YouTube video:
https://youtu.be/lozXFFwfok8

I have the wrenches off of Amazon. Beat on the wrench a dozen times while holding against the bolt heads with the other. Still won't pop loose. But the wrench ended up hitting the plastic end of the upper radiator host and broke it. Great! I do have a big crescent wrench.

Maybe I'll try this again when I take it apart to change my serpentine belt as it's looking rough. Has BMW on it so at least the Previous Owner took it to the dealer. I assume it isn't 14 years old. If it is, I'm impressed...

[Effduration]

In case you are not getting notifications....I sent you another pm.

[DacidSalin]

Found I can most likely build a passenger seat occupancy sensor bypass for almost nothing. I have resistors and diodes in my electronics kit (studied electronics engineering and was electronics tech in the USN). 2 100 ohm resistor in series with a 1n4001 diode. Not sure why it's done that way, could be a 200 ohm resistor, just current limiting to keep from toasting the diode.

Does anyone know if there is a seatbelt sensor that needs to be bypassed?

[andrewwynn]

my thoughts were if I had to bypass the butt sensor I would just leave the seatbelt plugged in but I think the seat belt alarm can be coded out as well.

The other thought is put a switch on the bypass for occupied/unoccupied good have to figure out what the difference is

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by DacidSalin

… 2 100 ohm resistor in series with a 1n4001 diode. Not sure why it's done that way, could be a 200 ohm resistor, just current limiting to keep from toasting the diode. ...

Power dissipation....

[DacidSalin]

Originally Posted by wpoll

Power dissipation....

The 1N4001 diode can handle maximum of 1A. 12v/200Ω is .06A which is .72W

Two 100Ω resistors in series are going to result in a 6V drop across each so .36 watts each, so the design of that particular bypass isn't very good unless it's something less than 12 volts going to that occupancy sensor.

I'll buy some 200Ω 2W resistors to throw into my bin of electronics components and use one of them. Will be at .72 Watts and .06A of current, well under the maximum capacity of both the resistor and diode.

[DacidSalin]

Question. Anyone know the Gross Combined Weight Rating?

Been working on the Audi so neglecting this car for a bit. Had coolant in the oil. Took a long time to find the leak (not head gasket, oil cooler, turbo). Did a few performance upgrades whilst I had it in pieces. Should have it back on the road next week.

Got the X5's hitch sorted out a few months ago. UHaul hitch went to the recycler, PDC sensors installed again and working. Two Mean Mug Auto's sensors worked well - I was concerned that they might have a compatibility issue after reading about issues with cheap, after-market ones.

UHaul, when they installed the hitch for the PO spliced into the wiring. I hate cutting into wiring unless I have a soldering iron and heat shrink sleeves. Attached are pics of what was found under the bumper and in the well before and after.

The harness came from a eBay order. Pretty good, but I did chat with the person who manufactured this suggesting stripping the wires a little less. The module he included was a boneyard module.

My PDC goes off when I have the bike rack installed. I tried to shut this down by installing a little lighting tester, but it doesn't draw enough current to make the PDC aware that something is plugged in. Maybe a fourth brake light would do?

I finally got a working USB cable from Amazon. Reset the rain sensor, but it still only works half-assed. If I leave the wiper stalk up one, when I start it, the wipers will wipe intermittently, as if it's raining. If it is raining, they stop working. But at least I can see the module now . I'll poke at it for a bit.

I was also able to read the codes for the airbag. Driver front airbag showing unplugged and the passenger seat sensor issue. I have a 2watt resistor and diode ready to go for the passenger seat. Will have to pull the steering wheel apart to see what's going on there. Clock spring or maybe I really didn't plug it in after I put the dashboard back in.

Freaking mice have moved back in. I drive it almost daily, so I don't get it, but pulled out a nest the size of my fist again. They like the passenger side pocket in the rear. They ate all of the poison pellets I left in there. Bastards. Now they have sticky traps to contend with.

[DacidSalin]

I finally broke the fan clutch loose from the water pump. I was replacing the belts, water pump, and idlers as they were getting a little old along with the hose that I broke (because my crappy cold winter quick repair failed after a few weeks and all coolant spewed down the road 2 blocks from home). While in there, worked at beating the thing loose. It finally popped after using a mini sledge. Geez it was tight.

[DacidSalin]

Found a published GCWR - https://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-...e%20/gcwr4.htm

10802 lbs. Not something that can be found too many places I'm guessing. Didn't find it in a manual.

UHaul folks stated that I can only tow about 1200 lbs, which I thought is a little low, considering the hitch capacity when installed correctly.

Thoughts on this being an accurate number?