Questions you thought were too dumb to ask E53 edition

[garrett.fell]

Originally Posted by zu11y

Quick question guys. How often does the self levelling pump go of. Ive notife that when im on a hill or the ground gets bumpy the pump goes off, is this normal or do i have an issue

I've noticed the exact same thing lately. When I back-up out of my driveway (slight hill and a few bumps) the compressor kicks on for a few seconds.


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[THE VEIN]

so my brother used "la's totally awesome" he said he rinsed the engine down with water, sprayed the cleaner/degreaser full strength and scrubbed right away. he let it sit for about 2 minutes the rinsed. I ended up going over everything with dish soap and an old sponge and I cleaned the white residue away but it looks like it left white streaks and spots on the plastics that won't wash out or covered with something like armor all

[Qsilver7]

You really want to ask this question in a thread that is 30 pages long and the subject matter goes from scrambled eggs to zebra poop?

Do yourself and others that may have this same issue (because it's not a "dumb" question) and start a new thread. This way, your name is attached as the OP (original poster)+ it will be easier to find...as well as getting better replies because the actual subject matter will be in the title. Someone with the answers to your questions may never click on this thread to answer you because their expectation is that this thread is about dumb questions.

Starting your own thread will also make the replies and the thread eaiser to find...instead of being buried in a multi-topic, 30 page, multi-year thread.

Just a thought.

[JCL]

This thread should have been closed a year ago.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by JCL

This thread should have been closed a year ago.

As it is said-the only dumb question is the one this is not asked.

[stackz]

why are all the cigarette lighters always powered even with the key out of the ignition?

its frustrating on my 01 to always have to pull the power adapter for my dash cam out after each drive. would be so much more convienant if the lighter socket was key switched so the camera would just auto-shutdown and then I could hide the wires lol.

looks like I'll have to buy an aftermarket lighter socket and wire it to a proper keyed on source.

[Joshdub]

I thought they were only powered for 15ish minutes. Why not just wire the camera to a keyed power source?

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by stackz

why are all the cigarette lighters always powered even with the key out of the ignition?

its frustrating on my 01 to always have to pull the power adapter for my dash cam out after each drive. would be so much more convienant if the lighter socket was key switched so the camera would just auto-shutdown and then I could hide the wires lol.

looks like I'll have to buy an aftermarket lighter socket and wire it to a proper keyed on source.

Why??? Why are you not asking this question in your own thread about a topic that is oft discussed and many would have suggestions...yet you chose to bury your question in this multi-topic thread that spans the course of multiple years and is 30+ pages long.

Again, in your own thread & under a specific topic you would have had multiple suggestions by now which deals with a common issue with BMW models for the last 20 or so years. One answer is to use the BMW adapter that plugs into the switched outlet in the glove compartment for the flashlight.

[stackz]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

One answer is to use the BMW adapter that plugs into the switched outlet in the glove compartment for the flashlight.

looked in my glovebox and I guess mine didnt come with the optional flashglight.

its either just the template for that to be cut out or there's a block plate in there but either way its blocked off and I cant seem to get it to pop loose.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by stackz

looked in my glovebox and I guess mine didnt come with the optional flashglight.

its either just the template for that to be cut out or there's a block plate in there but either way its blocked off and I cant seem to get it to pop loose.

For those following this topic...the glove box flash light is #8, #9, #12, & #13 in the diagram and part nbr index. If you don't have the flash light or its mounting bits...item #13 is the wiring harness...and if you have it...you could use it as a wiring junction if you wanted a switched electrical outlet.

Again, sadly it appears BMW has stopped selling the auxilliary power adapter that has been available for this socket for decades which made it easy to hook-up additional electronics.

RealOEM.com * BMW E53 X5 4.4i VARIOUS LAMPS/SPARE BULBS BOX

If you have the flash light (torch) or if you don't have it...and are handy with a soldering iron...you can easily make your own socket if you have a spare flashlight (or pick one up off the internet). It'd be cheaper than what the gougers are charging now for the original BMW adapters. Here's a link to a DIY on how to make your own power adapter from an old "torch" and a 12v socket: BMW-Driver.net Forums - View Single Post - Glovebox Flashlight Auxiliary Power Adapter

(okay..this is the last post on this topic in this thread...again, all this information buried in a thread that gives no indication that this information is even here )