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-   -   Electrical problems (https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/112919-electrical-problems.html)

SirHiss 02-03-2021 06:20 PM

Electrical problems
 
Hello E53 lovers!

Long time lurker, first time poster here. :stickpoke

I bought my 2006 3.0D Sport with 84k on it back in March 2020 and have been loving it, until 2 weeks ago when it started having some electrical problems! :( I wonder if anyone can help me figure out what is going on?

So, a timeline of the symptoms:

First I noticed my gauge cluster lights flickering. Turning the brightness down made it far more obvious. At the same time i also noticed the brake lights stayed on after I have left the car and locked it! Very strange! :yikes: To get them to turn off took a few on/off turns of the ignition.

A few days later I noticed my indicators kinda skipping a beat, if that makes sense. Or a delay when activating them. That night the battery died overnight. I charged it back up with my ctek and all was good again (for 2 days) (I should note that I barely drive the thing these days).

A couple of days later and the indicators stopped lighting up on the dash all together, along with, as I discovered later, the high beam icon. Around this time, I also noticed that whenever I turned the ignition on, the headlights would come on regardless of where the switch was. Turning the headlight switch would return it to normal functionality. Battery then died again overnight. Charged up again, lasted a couple more days.

After a lot of forum research I took a punt at replacing the ignition switch and gave it a brand new battery. It did not fix the problem. :rolleyes:

So we come to today. Last night I woke up at 4am to my car alarm dying and waking up the neighborhood! :yikes: I tried to put my ctek on it but it would not charge it. It tripped out.

I am pretty sure there is a problem with the LCM due to all the light problems but I have no idea what is draining the battery!

Help me, obi wan :(

Overboost 02-03-2021 06:46 PM

Sure sounds like the LCM. Get under there and pull it out and see if you see any burned areas on the housing. I've seen some pretty burnt ones on here before. It is located in the right side footwell.

https://xoutpost.com/attachments/x5-...-means-lcm.jpghttps://xoutpost.com/attachments/x5-...-lcm-label.jpg

Happy 02-03-2021 06:53 PM

Electrical problems
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Overboost (Post 1199239)
Sure sounds like the LCM. Get under there and pull it out and see if you see any burned areas on the housing. I've seen some pretty burnt ones on here before. It is located in the right side footwell.

https://xoutpost.com/attachments/x5-...-means-lcm.jpghttps://xoutpost.com/attachments/x5-...-lcm-label.jpg

Dang.. I hope mine never does that!

Overboost 02-03-2021 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy (Post 1199242)
Dang.. I hope mine never does that!

I think this member has this happen a little over 2 years ago. Here was his post.
https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...lly-means.html

SirHiss 02-03-2021 07:30 PM

Thanks for the info, Overboost! :D


Do you know if the LCM is still in the right side footwell in a right hand drive vehicle?


I've read that there are many different models of LCM, do I need to match what I have exactly?


I'm quite concerned about the tamper dot and mileage. What genius at BMW decided to link that information to a light control unit?! :confused:

Overboost 02-03-2021 07:34 PM

1 Attachment(s)
Quote:

Originally Posted by SirHiss (Post 1199245)
Thanks for the info, Overboost! :D


Do you know if the LCM is still in the right side footwell in a right hand drive vehicle?


I've read that there are many different models of LCM, do I need to match what I have exactly?


I'm quite concerned about the tamper dot and mileage. What genius at BMW decided to link that information to a light control unit?! :confused:

I couldn't verify the same location for the right hand drive E53 but it is there on a right hand drive E70 so I would guess it is there on the E53.

The tamper dot is easy. You will need PA Soft 1.4 and follow the directions attached in a pdf file.

However, let's make sure your LCM is bad first.

wpoll 02-03-2021 07:38 PM

What's the alternator output looking like when the car is running?

And the LCM (module A3) is on the left side, below the A-pillar, on our RHD cars. :-)

https://i.ibb.co/tCNkdX3/CTrlkVKL.png

SirHiss 02-03-2021 07:43 PM

Ahh, Mr. wpoll to the rescue! A fellow RHD diesel owner! :cool: I have found your forum posts most useful over the past year! Thank you for your service, good sir! :thumbup:


I'll rip out the LCM and have a look then!

SirHiss 02-03-2021 07:44 PM

Oh, and the alternator seems to be working fine. 14v when running.

wpoll 02-03-2021 07:47 PM

Got a sunroof...? :confused:

If so, then yeah, check that LCM pronto! There was a local E53 catch fire a couple of years back. Not sure what caused it, but it started under the dash somewhere Might have been the recently install aftermarket HU but seeing how the LCM can meltdown, all bets are off... :rolleyes:

SirHiss 02-03-2021 07:49 PM

I do indeed have the panoramic sunroof! I'll have to check the drainage isn't clogged! Can I just run a pipe cleaner down them? :confused:

Overboost 02-03-2021 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wpoll (Post 1199247)
What's the alternator output looking like when the car is running?

And the LCM (module A3) is on the left side, below the A-pillar, on our RHD cars. :-)

https://i.ibb.co/tCNkdX3/CTrlkVKL.png

Bravo Wayne. You guys that drive on the wrong side of the road have your own club. (and cars I guess)

wpoll 02-03-2021 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirHiss (Post 1199252)
I do indeed have the panoramic sunroof! I'll have to check the drainage isn't clogged! Can I just run a pipe cleaner down them? :confused:

Not sure (i don't have a sunroof) but I hear that removing the A-pillar covers is the best check (look for kinked hoses etc.). Not a hard job - just don't bother the SRS bags (airbags). :stickpoke

wpoll 02-03-2021 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overboost (Post 1199253)
Bravo Wayne. You guys that drive on the wrong side of the road have your own club. (and cars I guess)

The man in the mirror, me... :D

SirHiss 02-03-2021 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overboost (Post 1199253)
Bravo Wayne. You guys that drive on the wrong side of the road have your own club. (and cars I guess)

:thumbdown

Overboost 02-03-2021 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirHiss (Post 1199256)
:thumbdown

Just taking a piss at wpoll SirHiss. No offense intended.

wpoll 02-03-2021 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overboost (Post 1199257)
Just taking a piss at wpoll SirHiss. No offense intended.

And I doubt any was taken..... humour is very subject, Guv'ner... ;)

SirHiss 02-03-2021 08:05 PM

No offense taken of course!


I drive on the correct side of the road. I'm not Anne Sacoolas! :bustingup(Too soon?)

wpoll 02-03-2021 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirHiss (Post 1199260)
No offense taken of course!


I drive on the correct side of the road. I'm not Anne Sacoolas! :bustingup(Too soon?)

Now you've gone and Dunn it.... :rolleyes:

Overboost 02-03-2021 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirHiss (Post 1199260)
No offense taken of course!


I drive on the correct side of the road. I'm not Anne Sacoolas! :bustingup(Too soon?)

Quote:

Originally Posted by wpoll (Post 1199262)
Now you've gone and Dunn it.... :rolleyes:

You guys are killing me. I'll just plead diplomatic immunity. ;)

SirHiss 02-03-2021 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wpoll (Post 1199262)
Now you've gone and Dunn it.... :rolleyes:

https://media.giphy.com/media/qMqjZkmMi8wFO/giphy.gif

SirHiss 02-13-2021 09:45 AM

2 Attachment(s)
Ok, an update on this!


I pulled the LMC and whatta-ya-know... water damage and corrosion! :saad:


The worst part is that 2 pins have broken off and are stuck in the connector! Does anyone know how the connector can be dismantled so I can remove them? :dunno:


I managed to find someone that can fix the LCM and replace the pins for £70. Half the price of a used unit on eBay, so that's not bad.

Clavurion 02-13-2021 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirHiss (Post 1199800)
The worst part is that 2 pins have broken off and are stuck in the connector! Does anyone know how the connector can be dismantled so I can remove them? :dunno:

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...minal/1Lwxs23n

SirHiss 02-13-2021 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clavurion (Post 1199801)

Site Closed

This site is closed per demands of BMW AG.


:dunno:

puddinboo 02-13-2021 12:15 PM

Was this caused by sunroof drains leaking into vehicle?

Sent from my SM-G950W using Xoutpost.com mobile app

Clavurion 02-13-2021 12:16 PM

1 Attachment(s)
Basically like this. After you have removed the pin from the plug housing you could try to push the male side out from the back.

SirHiss 02-13-2021 04:04 PM

Thanks, Clavurion.


Yes I believe it to be the sunroof drain. I'll sort that out before I fit the new unit.


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