What did you do to / for your E53 today??

[JMC40]

Finally got around to getting PASoft running and got to coding replacement LCM, DRLs off and coded out the stupid TPMS light. Also ordered a bunch of pieces to fix the light errors.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by JMC40

Finally got around to getting PASoft running and got to coding replacement LCM, DRLs off and coded out the stupid TPMS light. Also ordered a bunch of pieces to fix the light errors.

I'm curious... why is the TPMS stupid?

It's actually an FTM (flat tyre monitor) since it's not actually reading tyre pressure but rather rotational speed differences.

Was yours not working?

Pieces to fix the light errors? Resistors etc.? If you have LCM errors due to fitting LEDs etc then coding out hot and cold monitoring should sort that. Flickering may remain however.

[JMC40]

Originally Posted by wpoll

I'm curious... why is the TPMS stupid?

It's actually an FTM (flat tyre monitor) since it's not actually reading tyre pressure but rather rotational speed differences.

Was yours not working?

Pieces to fix the light errors? Resistors etc.? If you have LCM errors due to fitting LEDs etc then coding out hot and cold monitoring should sort that. Flickering may remain however.

For those that rely on it, it isn’t stupid, but mine seems to have a mind of its own and was tired of looking at the light all the time. I check my tire pressure regularly, so really don’t need it.

Rear light errors, I could code them out, but like to know if i actually have a bulb issue. New sockets, bulbs and dielectric grease to keep the sockets from corroding.

[StephenVA]

Originally Posted by LA02MAX

Spent $450 on a 35 mile tow

I was picking someone up at the airport waiting in the cell phone lot, and the fuel pump just decided to quit living. Zero warning or symptoms prior to that point, just went from running perfectly to sputtering and dying. Fortunately the pump was on clearance at FCP Euro, but man - nothing simple ever goes wrong on this car. It's always things that disable me from making it home.

- Water pump blew up in New Mexico the day I bought it. Brother had to drive down from Colorado and tow me back to his house.
- Front differential self destructed in Virginia. I had to fly home, get my truck and rent a trailer, drive all the way back to VA and tow it back home.
- Fuel pump went out in New Orleans. $450 tow home.

Fuel pumps on the 4.8is seem to drop dead without any warning what so ever. Mine croaked in the driveway after a fill up, a total detailing and when I went to pull it in the garage, it stumbled and died as the fuel pressure fell off. Great news is now that you know how to remove the rear seat and pull out the failed pump, you will able to do it again in 1/2 the time.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by JMC40

For those that rely on it, it isn’t stupid, but mine seems to have a mind of its own and was tired of looking at the light all the time. I check my tire pressure regularly, so really don’t need it.

Rear light errors, I could code them out, but like to know if i actually have a bulb issue. New sockets, bulbs and dielectric grease to keep the sockets from corroding.

Fair enough!

The FTM can be upset by an issues other than tyre pressure, since it is effectively just a calculation based on the outputs from the wheel speed sensors.

The FTM does seem to need the occasion reset to get those calculations to work and it really needs a perfect tyre setup (all the same size or approved staggered sizes and all similar wear). It certainly can get out of whack pretty quickly.

I too like the bulb monitoring (and hate the tail light sockets!). I see so many cars on the road with drivers totally unaware of their poor lighting...

[JMC40]

Originally Posted by wpoll

Fair enough!

The FTM can be upset by an issues other than tyre pressure, since it is effectively just a calculation based on the outputs from the wheel speed sensors.

The FTM does seem to need the occasion reset to get those calculations to work and it really needs a perfect tyre setup (all the same size or approved staggered sizes and all similar wear). It certainly can get out of whack pretty quickly.

I too like the bulb monitoring (and hate the tail light sockets!). I see so many cars on the road with drivers totally unaware of their poor lighting...

I run the 4.8is wheel/tire setup 275 front 315 rear and yea they don’t wear even. So I think that is part of the issue.

[andrewwynn]

I have all exterior lights LED and coded out. On the rears on many bmw cars there are enough lamps the car will use a backup set that are usual running lights and convert them to brake function which looks weird because not symmetrical but still gets you brake on both corners. Not sure if any e53 had that ability but e90 has and I suspect e70 also.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

I have all exterior lights LED and coded out. On the rears on many bmw cars there are enough lamps the car will use a backup set that are usual running lights and convert them to brake function which looks weird because not symmetrical but still gets you brake on both corners. Not sure if any e53 had that ability but e90 has and I suspect e70 also.

The e53 certainly DOES do this, at least on the front. If you lose a halo (angel eye) lamp, the signal/indicator lamp on that side is lit at half brightness to substitute for the missing halo lamp. I think the same happens for headlights, with the fog lamp being used as a substitute.

[andrewwynn]

I think you need to be facelift but yep.

I now have e70. I coded out for LED most lights in and out so I'm guessing no hot or cold testing but it does have fast braking where twice as many brake lights come on which is great.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

I think you need to be facelift but yep.

Oh yes - good point.

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

I now have e70. I coded out for LED most lights in and out so I'm guessing no hot or cold testing but it does have fast braking where twice as many brake lights come on which is great.

LCI e53 also has this "force dependent brake light" feature.

And yes, it's a good idea!