Just Bought an X5

[upallnight]

Most likely the electrical pins in the connector from the microswitch to the harness is rusted and now don't have a good contact. That was what was wrong with my X when I purchase it. I just spliced the wires together and it been fine for the last two years.

You will need to hook an ammeter in series with the battery and observe the ammeter to determine if you have a parasitic draw. The X should go into sleep mode and the draw should be very little after 30 minutes. If the draw is still high, the X is not going to sleep mode. There has been a lot of thread on this issue. Just do a search.

If you don't know how to connect an ammeter in series with the battery, there are several videos on Youtube.

[e30cabrio]

Originally Posted by Bianca98

So the car was officially road legal as of yesterday. Went to take it to work today and it was hella dead! not fun. Still hoping its just the cold killing my battery. Does anyone have a good method for testing for parasitic draw? Any common culprits? As far as I know the only known electrical fault is in the upper rear hatch release. PO said it had a short so he just disconnected the exterior switch. Interior switch still works.

Congrats on the road legal, sorry about the battery. There is a thread on parasitic draw, I'll try to find it. Basically you need to put a meter between ground & the negative cable and see how many amps are being drwan when the X is asleep.

Originally Posted by Riggodeaux

Its sarcasm , playing off the stereotype of midwestern lutherans are so passive that the only thing that raises their ire is denigrating Vince Lombardi. Sorry for taking the thread off-topic, but Iowahawk's humor seemed to fit the Wisconsin-Iowa camo story perfectly!

Understood, I was also being sarcastic, I assume no group (outside murderous gangs)? condones senseless violence.

[e30cabrio]

Not the thread I was referring to but has the info.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ery-drain.html

http://www.xoutpost.com/796440-post16.html

[Bianca98]

Thanks for the above info! BFC sucks compared to the wealth of info in here! I admit its hard to search with little organization though. Need an established DIY subforum. I think the testing is within my abilities. Gotta find a meter. Maybe the parts store will rent me one if they are spendy. I still have a good bit of my initial cash squirrelled away for a new battery or an overnight visit with my indy but I would much rather figure it out on my own and put the money towards my heated seats or stereo! Its so damn cold here right now too. Going to ask my dad to heat the shop on Sunday so I can pull out the major interior and start detailing.

[e30cabrio]

No worries. I use google advanced search which lets you enter the term & url you want searched as searching is hit or miss on many forums.

[Bianca98]

Updates: Had the battery tested. It pasted the test, though very low on charge. I left it with them overnight to charge. picked it up this morning, and threw it in. Truck started up.

I'm starting to remember why I dislike buying used cars. In my first 3 minutes with a wrench in my hand I found hob-jobs from the PO or his indy. The battery terminals had no bolts to hold it down. I was able to simply pry the cables off the battery/ pound back on. The air pump scared the hell out of me when I lifted it off the battery and it started to pump. It is held down with about 60% of the original hardware. There are 2-3 wires spliced into a part of the positive battery terminal. Looked like it might be leading to the rear tail lights.

Driver's door panel basically came off the door in my hand. So its probably not screwed in and needs new clips. I'm sure that's from the PO's indy. Seriously, what a bunch of idiots! Its -13* at Noon today and thus we were unable to heat the garage and start my detail. I intend to drive the truck several times today so this will be a good test of the battery/charging system, and Monday morning will be a moment of truth.

[e30cabrio]

Sorry about the hack jobs, did they test the alternator?

Good luck!

[Kristophe]

Ugh i hear ya on the "hob-jobs". My X had two POs with the last mickey mousing on the simplest repairs like it was a has-been '94 Minivan. The radiator fan shroud was re installed with clip ties, wrong type of antifreeze was used, and the drivers side door panel was missing half the plastic clips from an apparent window clip repair/replacement. I'm surprised I didn't find duct tape for a gas cap.

[Bianca98]

Originally Posted by e30cabrio

Sorry about the hack jobs, did they test the alternator?

Good luck!

The alternator was recently replaced by the PO, I have paperwork for that. The truck was not running so I was unable to bring it to the auto store to test. My 528 sold this afternoon so Monday will really be a moment of truth now. I have used the truck about 3 times this morning and its started and ran well each time. Same condition with the lights (brake/abs/traction/EML) occur though. I will likely take it to my guy with the snapon reader to see whats happening.

[Bianca98]

Xexilia started, ran, and drove today!

It would appear it doesn't like extreme cold, much like my 528. very hard, very loud power steering whine at start up this morning. But temps were colder than -20*. Did I mention I hate WI right now?

The trifecta lights and EML came on again today, this time while coasting with the cruise control on. At that point cruise control did not return. I work a lot of freaking hours so probably won't be able to have my guy do the testing any time soon. I will likely run it to the parts store on the way home though to see what their OBDII scanner can find. The CEL alone might be enough.

Parts update:
Lock Cylinder is out for delivery today
Hood release and heated seat switches should be here tomorrow
E70 wiper is somewhere in Europe
BMW Scanner 1.4.0 is somewhere in China

Beyond the trifecta, I also have no cabin heat. I had weak heat upfront when I brought it home, burning heat in the rear. I can't get any heat up front no matter what settings I use. I need to check it for air and top it off. Fingers crossed that I am not going to have to deal with cooling system stuff right off the bat!

Projects I'm contemplating:
AUX-In install
Subwoofer install
Running Boards
Roof Rack
Off Road LED bar

I am interested in looking into mods for better fuel economy. I have read that a tune, and 3.64 diffs are simple mods. I would like to boost the 17-19mpg I have now up to 21-25mpg. I drive mostly highway, so with the cruise working it shouldn't be too hard. Other than general maintenance (filters, fluids, belts, tires) what do you suggest? Hope someone is enjoying these posts.