Cool "Hidden" features of the E53 X5

[Last5oh]

Originally Posted by MPDano

What did they use to do it?

I believe all they need to do is plug into a port on the X5 to do the re-program. A 5-minute job is probably more realistic.

[Weasel]

Takes more than 5 minutes for sure. Honestly it is an easy job, but the process of hooking up the equipment, waiting for it to communicate with every damn module of the vehicle in the vehicle ID process, waiting for all the car/key memory options to be read and load... make your selections, then waiting for it to encode the changes to the vehicle and read out all the car/key memory options again... Yes, the department of redundancy department indeed designed our programming software.

All in all the whole process takes about 20-30 minutes once the vehicle is in the shop. And 0.5 hours labor isn't bad. I've seen some dealers charge a full hour.

[MPDano]

Is this a tool that can be bought by the public?

[sfcl]

Originally Posted by dok47

Thanks for your help. In my case I took out pump on right side where level sensor is located too. Tank was dry completely. On other side i have only another floating switch. I measure ohms on both of them and they are measuring exactly same ohms. i checked gauges and tested them they move from emlty to full position esily so they are not stuck. Engine off gauge on zero also. Whenn filling tank with around 60 liters gauges are already on max. when i runb out of fuel is shows around 20liters. it looks to me like instrument gauges unit need to be flashed with new software.?!?!

Hi, I had exactly the same problem some months agon and finally discovered (tricky one this one!) that it was a splitted o-ring, so the pump sucked air instead of fuel when the first saddle was empty...

[Weasel]

Originally Posted by MPDano

Is this a tool that can be bought by the public?

The BMW official tool is very expensive, but there are companies that load the software on thinkpad t30 laptops and sell them with china knock-off diagnostic heads for $1400 on ebay, cheaper directly through the companies.

A few members here bought some from yohotech. The only name that I remember off hand that has one and decent experience with it is the member twinspoppa. I'm sure he wouldn't mind giving you some pointers and advise.

[MPDano]

Yikes, went to a baseball game today and used the security lock code and after the game, I unlocked the car with the code and now the battery light stays on. Got the car home and did a volt check to the battery terminal (car on and off). Car on: 11.8v Car off: 12.1v Car is not charging.

I did open another topic but is this related or just a coincidence?

[Weasel]

coincedence.

[RocketJoe]

Originally Posted by MPDano

Yikes, went to a baseball game today and used the security lock code and after the game, I unlocked the car with the code and now the battery light stays on. Got the car home and did a volt check to the battery terminal (car on and off). Car on: 11.8v Car off: 12.1v Car is not charging.

I did open another topic but is this related or just a coincidence?

Have you checked the alternator output?

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by RocketJoe

Have you checked the alternator output?

Wouldn't the alternator output be at the battery post when car is running?

[RocketJoe]

Originally Posted by MPDano

Wouldn't the alternator output be at the battery post when car is running?

Maybe, but it would also be reading any result of the voltage going through the battery. If there is any resistance in the battery it would show up at the posts. Can you check voltage right at the alternator?