More electrical gremlins.......
 

So, after work last Friday, I got in the car, and it initially doesn't start: i.e. the engine doesn't turn over, no clicks, NOTHING. So I tried once more, and the car started. However, the automatic transmission light, brake light and 4x4 light came on, and stayed on for the duration of my drive home. In addition, during the drive home, shifting was extremely erratic, and braking was a bit scary, as the brakes would grab again (and rather intensely, I night add), after I'd released the pedal. Anyway, I got home safely, a little frazzled, but safe, nonetheless.

I took the car in to the dealership on Monday, and got a loaner (another '06 X3). The dealer states that they found a number of fault codes stored by the computer, but that they were unsure of what the codes meant., so they: "opened up a PUMA technical." Whatever that means. They reprogrammed the computer, and now my car's behaving as it did when I first brought it home almost a year and a half ago, and is running perfectly.

Has anyone had a similar problem? I'm a little apprehensive that this just might happen again, and the next time my driving experience won't have a happy ending, especially with the braking issue. I'm also wondering if this has anything to do with the fact that my battery died several weeks ago when the car was left at the local airport for 4 days. The dealership refused to replace the battery, but recharged it, and I'd had no problems until last Friday.

Thoughts? Comments? Ideas?

Ok, hmm. Once a long time ago (like 6 months), the X3 refused to start on a cold start. So I took the key out, tried again, and this time it started with a rough idle and the DSC, Brake, and transmission fault lights came on in Yellow. Shifting was very rough and irratic. Shut it off for awhile as I washed the car. Then when I fired it back up, the lights weren't there anymore and everything was normal again. Quite an anamoly:rolleyes:

If your battery died after parked for only 4 days I'd replace it. I have read about some issues with the batteries going south in brand new X3's just weeks old. Even with a light drain from the systems it should keep a charge much longer, like at least 2 weeks if not more.

The delear refused to replace it, and stated that if I wanted a new battery, I'd have to pay for it myself. I was a tad disappointed with their answer, but I wasn't in the mood to drop a couple hundred bucks for something that's under warranty. The car ran fine, until Friday, so I was even less inclined to replace the battery out of my own pocket.

Hey Alpine Rasta, I found a thread that might help, or at least give you some ammunition! :gun:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...t=dead+battery

In the end "dima" did not get his battery replaced but there are many references to battery problems from other posters. at least one poster did get his replaced. You might need to try another dealer if possible.

Whatever happens, I'd replace the battery. A battery that won't hold a charge for 4 days is a dud. Good Luck AR :thumbup:

Thanks for the research! :thumbup: I did try the dealer an hour away, and they refused to provide a new battery as well. They insisted that I drive the 60-odd miles to their dealership so they could "run some tests" on the battery, knowing full well that the battery would be charged when I got there, and they could tell me the same thing the dealership here did! When I called them on it, they admitted that my trip there would be a waste of my time, so I didn't bother.

Anyway, the car's running pretty well now, so we'll see what happens over the next few weeks or so, and if it happens again, I think I'll have even more ammunition.

Same problem with the transmission happened to me 3 weeks ago. I got to my destination. Next day, started the car and everything was just fine.

I read somewhere that a guy had his transmission software upgraded and the problem went away. It's a difficult problem to reproduce so I'm not sure if that actually fixed it or if he's been lucky since.
I had the reprogramming recall done on my 05 last week and it included an update to the transmission software. I'll let you know if I get this problem again.