Strange problems, need help.

elpitha33 · #1 08-18-2010, 05:50 PM

Our 2003 3.0 x5 has recently developed a strange problem. 3 times in the past month it will just shut itself off, also occurring is delayed engagement of the transmission after it has been sitting. We took it to the dealer who says that both problems are being caused by a faulty throttle valve motor as well as a faulty engine compartment wiring harness. ($1540.00). They claimed there is a tsb about this but I find it hard to believe that both parts failed at once and think they just want to throw everything listed in the tsb at it at my expense. Does anyone have any experience with this problem or a possible more realistic solution? The TSB is FIB121002. Thanks in advance for any and all help.

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MSUSaul · #2 08-19-2010, 11:38 AM

i had a problem where my x5 would shut off. i replaced the ignition switch and that took care of my problem. also, you might want to have your alternator checked out. autozone will check it for your for free.

best regards,

elpitha33 · #3 08-19-2010, 11:52 AM

Thank you. I will check this out.

JCL · #4 08-19-2010, 01:17 PM

Something doesn't sound right.

I think you need a copy of that TSB or SIB to start. If the number is actually SIB 121002, it is linked below. That SIB does reference electrical problems, relating to the fan switch and dashboard lights, with the engine in failsafe mode (whiuch you didn't mention)

There were early production year issues with X5 wiring harnesses, requiring replacement in some cases. It wasn't a recall, but rather a campaign that was only carried out on vehicles after failure (since there were few affected). In those cases (years back) the dealer or BMW would have sometimes participated/contributed to the cost of repair. That may or may not help you now at this late date.

If the dealer is in fact on the right track, it is not suprising that there may be two items to fix, as one could be damaged by the failure of the other. The wiring failure is likely a short, and that could conceivably take out a component that it is connected to. The SIB does in fact say to replace both the component and the wiring harness.

You could confirm your production date to ensure that the SIB applies to your vehicle, and you could also ask the dealer which of the codes referenced in the SIB showed up in their diagnosis of your vehicle.

It would be helpful if a dealer tech, Weasel or another, chimed in.

http://www.ge39.com/files/EDK.pdf

elpitha33 · #5 08-19-2010, 07:23 PM

I remember him saying there were resistance fluctuations, could this be #2 on the cause list? If so is this a connector my husband could access and clean? How about the poor crimps? He is a locomotive electrician and pretty handy with electronics, we just don't know what is what and where is where as far as things like the "X6390 EDK connector".

elpitha33 · #6 08-23-2010, 09:15 AM

Anyone have any suggestions?

elpitha33 · #7 08-24-2010, 04:13 PM

There has to be someone in this forum that can add a little advise to my problem that I am having. i would appreciate it completly.

JCL · #8 08-24-2010, 05:36 PM

Well, did you do the steps I suggested above?

Did you confirm the actual number of the SIB from the dealer?
Did you confirm your vehicle production date is within the affected range?
Did you ask the dealer which codes showed up and suggested this SIB as the appropriate fix?
Did the dealer confirm the date stamped on the EDK motor, confirming that it needs to be replaced as per the SIB?
When the problem occurs, do you have the symptoms described in the SIB, particularly the check engine light?

I think it is unlikely that you could determine which connectors have a problem, and isolate them, if this is actually the problem. BMW didn't think their own dealer technicians could do that, and so replaced the engine wiring harness. If it is the problem noted in the SIB, then yes, you need a new engine wiring harness. You will also likely need coding done on the vehicle, so that means the dealer or a good independent with the correct tools.

elpitha33 · #9 09-01-2010, 05:36 PM

The codes that showed up are p1638-fault and the other is p1639-fault. vehicle production date is 03/03 the part numbers are 12517513548 for the harness and 13547502445 for the edk. That is all I got from the dealer. Sorry it took so long. car acted up today as well and when pressing the gas it said going into system safe mode and all lights came on.

elpitha33 · #10 09-01-2010, 06:10 PM

if to replace those parts, is there a cheaper way of getting them that anyone knows of? thank you for any information

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