New problems with the 4.6is

[Estoril]

Hi guys,

Back again with some issues. Fixed my right-side window regulator, left-side door handle carrier and some other issues. Of course in true E53-style some new issues came up; hoping to get some pointers from people who have had similar problems in their E53:

- There seems to be some electrical issue that is causing the car to forget the remoteless keys every second day now. It happened once about a month ago where it suddenly forgot *both* keys at once. I re-programmed them and it worked for a few weeks. Now it just resets them every other day.
- The PDC also stopped working a little while ago. I had already replaced two PDC sensors before to get it to work (3 months ago). Now about a week ago, it stopped working altogether. I figured one sensor had gone bad. However, since last morning it suddenly started working again. Hoping to read it out sometime next week and see if one specific sensor gave a fault. I assume it's still in memory. Is this maybe related to the keys being reset?
- The engine suddenly no longer gets to operating temperature, about 75C max (167 Fahrenheit). Are the thermostats known to go bad over time? I recall the previous owner had replaced the thermostat quite recently (~5.000 - 7.000km ago)
- While driving the car often smells of burning oil (inside the car). There is often a puddle of red oil, which is ATF oil from the steering column. It did get to a low point once so I topped it off. However, the level of the ATF fluid didn't even drop a slight bit. Going to have to investigate this one a bit more to figure out where it's coming from

[EODguy]

What codes are you getting?

PDC issue sounds like one or more is reporting a "hey I'm stuck" mode which shuts down the PDC after a long solid tone at startup. Water infiltration is possible...

Thermostat is probably stuck in the open position.

Power steering hose leak... Ugh, finding replacement one, but a farm store that makes hoses for tractors is a good HD replacement .

Key issue could be antenna problem or the immobilizer box underneath the steering column on the firewall. (SWAG)

[X5chemist]

The thermostat is stuck open. Happened to mine It would not reach temp and set a code. It didn't trigger the check engine light though. A Hella thermostat fixed the problem. It runs close to 195 all the time now.

[Estoril]

I was also afraid of water getting into the car affecting the PDC and key problems. Any ideas where to start digging for water?

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[CapeX5]

Pull carpets and look for moisture. If you find some, than look for source.

Originally Posted by Estoril

I was also afraid of water getting into the car affecting the PDC and key problems. Any ideas where to start digging for water?
Pull carpets and look for moisture. If you find some, than look for source.

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[Czechmate]

Definitely check those roof drains. Takes maybe 1 hr of careful trim peeling and pulling interior to ensure they aren't kinked. Will save you from some huge headaches down the road.

[Estoril]

Hi guys, back with an update:
- there seems to be no water in the cabin, all seems good in that area. I got some advice that the problem could be the EWS module, so I'm gonna look for a secondhand replacement module and have someone configure it for me
- The steering leak turned out to be a big coolant hose leaking. Really happy it was just the cooling hose
- Thermostat has been replaced and temperature it back to normal again
- PDC issue seems to have solved itself. The sensor mid-right front is faulty, gonna replace it if it acts up again


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[Czechmate]

Best case scenario all around! Glad to hear that