Electrical Gremlins with my 2003 X5 4.6is, any ideas?

[shera]

I know how frustasting it is once you have a problem like this as with my e39 530 the problem started once I upgraded the stereo system. My airbag light stayed on, the horn would not work and my electric mirrors would not fold in. Took the car to the stealship and they gave me a shopping list of things to change.
I read it in a forum around 5 years ago to start with the ignition switch and never looked back.

[imola38]

I wasn't suggesting you throw more parts at the car as that's the last thing you should do. I was suspecting the gen module may need to be re-coded. Sometimes problems such as yours have to be professionally diagnosed and there's just no way around it. A good technician should be able to determine whether the ign switch is applying 12v to the modules or not before you just replace it.

Have you checked the fuses?

-Ben

[johanas007]

Hey Ben,

I checked the most obvious fuses but to be quite honest I am sure I missed some. I initially thought that I might have messed up something when I had to remove (really only unscrew and push out of the way for a moment) the rear fuse tray to get my sub out when putting in the new tail light assembly. However, everything worked fine for two days after the install so it doesn't seem logical. I also thought that I may have blown out some fuses when I initially had the tail lights wired incorrectly.

When I called a non-dealer BMW repair shop that is close to my house (I have used them on a few occassions with good results) he mentioned that the wipers and locks are on a different circuit so it was odd to him.

I found a DIY for the ignition switch and it doesn't look super easy but doable. As stated before I am just trying to narrow my targets before I start pulling the trigger!

The good news is that with all the new parts and service I have done to my X lately, it should be pretty straight for a while to come. I love it and don't want to get rid of it although my wife thinks I am sinking way too much money into it. It still looks new after 8 years and trying to get a new X with the same packages and options would require a pretty significant cash output!

Keep them coming fellas and thanks again!