Several issues at same time
 

Hi
I'm facing some weird behaviors since few days and start to feel a bit desperate as i can't find anything exactly related to it, so i hope someone will be able to help me with at least few of them :(


2005 3.0dA


Back from a 3k km trip with it, everything went fine during, but on the way back it started to become a real mess..

It haven't experienced any extreme conditions, few bumpy roads, not extreme heat, and what might be an issue starter was a automatic carwash that i saw squirting some water from under the chassis..


To begin with i have all the time a random power loss at high speed. Around 130 140kmh, when i floor it, either it pulls fine, either it just doesn't rev above 3000rpm, sometimes just downshift and that's it.


After 100km, yellow (!) popped up on the dash, showing messages "DSC/4x4 off" and "TRANS. FAIL-SAFE PROG". No changes in driving feeling.
After having a coffee stop, i turn it back on, the same stuff shows on the dash but also the steering is very hard at stop / low speed.

I kept driving because what else can i do.. the steering went back to normal, but yellow (!) still here. Speed regulator not working. And "put your belt" message kept flashing and biping for few miles even with all 5 belts fastened. :dunno:

Next coffee stop, next issue... after switching ignition to 1 or 2, the stop lights turns on and stays on no matter what. Also airbag light turned on, but kinda dimmed, not completely bright.

Had to swear at it several times, turn off and on few times, and at some point the stop lights worked as they should. On the road again, yellow (!) went off, no lights or sounds, like nothing ever happened!

Next issue (like it wasn't enough) that i noticed on the road after all that: the temp gauge is going down as i drive at high speed (bit above the first white mark). Fan not always turning.

Fuel range dropping fast, i'm loosing around 1km each 500m.

Stopped to refuel a bit, at startup same stuff with the stop lights...

Finally arrived home, let the car rest a couple days. Drove it today and had everything again: belt light, airbag light, stop lights always on, yellow (!), fuel drop, hard steering and trans safe message :(
Don't know about the temp gauge as i drove in city and it stayed at good temp (middle).

So at this point i really don't know what to do with it.
The gears are passing fine, no weird noises, no smoke, no vibrations.
Battery is charging well, engine starts without struggle.


Could some sprayed water under the chassis cause all this mess by killing some electronics? Because it really looks like some kind of sensor issue, and not only one. But that sounds strange because the car is also splashed everywhere when driving under rain or in puddles..


Recently changed:
- Air filter
- Engine oil
- PCV valve


Thanks for reading that novel, and another thanks to anyone who could give an input. I underlined the issues as there is a lot..
Hope it's not good to throw.. :stickpoke



EDIT: Windshield washers stopped working also, and the odb module disconnects in the middle of a codes scan. Now i disconnected the battery for few hours to reset all the things.


Disconnecting the battery for few hours haven't changed a thing.


Tried the reset procedure: press on gas, ignition to 2, wait 30secs, press brake for 10secs. Nothing.

"Reset" procedure is bogus - does nothing.

Sounds like a failing alternator - what is the battery charge like? Have you checked the charge voltage (on the OBC) when driving? Test #9 on the OBC (after you unlock it).

So i have between 11.5 and 11.8 when entered the car, then started right away and went to 13.8 / 13.9.
Sounds normal to me, otherwise the car would have struggled to start no?


Also the brake tail lights were on immediately (after ignition to 1) and same for the dimmed airbag light. The related 5A fuse #9 is ok.
Yellow (!) and trans fail message came around 30secs after startup.
Also very strange ODB disconnection when scanning & none of the wipers / washers working. :confused:

So what trouble codes with diagnostics?

Some of those symptoms could be caused by failed ignition switch. Regarding this you could also test what happens when you open the vanity mirror on sun visors.

A healthy battery is over 12 volts. You have almost a dead battery. Either you have a parasitic draw on the battery or your battery is on the way out. You can get the battery tested at most car parts stores such as Pep Girl, Retard Auto, or O'Really. They will load test the battery to see the condition instead of just testing the voltage, sort of like a stress test.

https://www.rvtechlibrary.com/battery/bat_volts.php

As for the parasitic draw, you can use an "Amp Hound" to help locate the parasitic draw or just bring it to a tech.

"Amp Hound" Not a Sponsor and I am not employed or receive compensation for recommending this product.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM5qV6ge2vA

I would have a good look at the alternator, belts, pulleys and tensioners.

So for the codes read before the disconnect and what i could approximatively find about:


51AE Brake signal
3F48 Brake-light switch
4083 Brake light ?
4A30 Multifunction steering wheel / Engine control Module ?
4203 Glow plug control
4262 4252 4232 4222 4212 Glow plugs
4501 EGR (just reconnected the vacuum hose but it disconnect the odb before i can clear the codes)

I guess the issue for the brake light always on is the pedal switch, i'll try to change it. But it didn't died completely, few times it was working / not working randomly.

Not really sure for the 4A30 code, found info about multifunction wheel, or Engine Control Module? Am I good for an ECM replacement?


When i open the vanity mirrors nothing happens, no light.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYqI6sCKVD8

I saw this video but none of this happens when i open the mirror lights, the wheel doesn't move and nothing happens to the heater.

But i have the same dash lights as him: airbag and yellow (!) + trans fail message.


What stopped working: all wipers / washers, radio, wheel buttons, heated seats, vanity lights.


The ignition switch sound a good try to make, found other topics with almost same syptoms:
https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...ns-solved.html


About the battery i agree the voltage isn't very good, i will put it on the replacements list also.
Few weeks ago it completely died during the night when i slept in the car and probably left too much stuff on. On morning can't start (with trans fail message) until someone jump started it. Had no issues later until this very bad day.


The amp hound looks like a nice tool to have indeed, but i don't think i have a parasitic draw as i can leave the car locked few days and it will start just fine.


Finally the belt looks fine, at least no noise or strange vibration and doesn't look worn out.

You said the same thing about the battery being fine until I posted the chart about a battery state of charge.

Yep i agree on the fact the voltage is too low to be fine, but about a parasit draw?

Now when i stop the car it immediately drops to approx 11.6/7 and stays around even few days later. With a drain it should have went down progressively? But i can be wrong :dunno: