e53 ignition lights on with key out?
 

Hi all, my trusty e53 has finally stumped me.

I was away on holiday for 3 weeks and came back to it playing up on me. The ignition lights stay on even when the key is removed, accompanied by my brake lights being lit and my reverse lights.

I have replaced the ignition switch and inspected the old one and both are ok. I have removed almost every module i could find one at a time and still the issue persists. I removed the cluster, the EWS, the LCM, gm3, climate unit, even the DSC module.

When i start the x5 it runs fine, no warnings, as soon as i turn it off, which is strange in itself as i have to remove the key to stop the engine, the ignition lights stay on and after 5 seconds or so the temp gauge shoots to the maximum and stays there until i turn the key to the on position again.

By ignition lights i mean battery light, DSC light, airbag, and after a few seconds ABS etc all come on with the key out. radio stays on, climate stays on too.

Im truely baffled. Any help would be appreciated as im struggling to read any witing diagrams i can find.

Thanks

Wow! You have fused power wires somewhere.
Search BMW E53 dash lights stay on

Found this info: https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/2...e-time.730566/

i know, i know, nightmare to sort out. Also just to add the battery is only 3 months old and is good. Iv searched everywhere and there isnt much on the e53 but i did find a few e46 and e39 with a similar problem, the e46 seemed to be the cluster and the e39 was K9 underloader relay, but as far as i can tell the e53 doesnt have this.

just had a read through this! will check the armrest lid and headlight switch! two items i had not yet looked at! thanks!

Most likely a short like described between always on and key on power. More than likely through a fuse so you can get the car info the weird state then pull every fuse until the lit dash condition goes off. Then try to get it to kick on again. If you can't you've just figured out which system is compromised and it will take a lot less time to find it.

so i started pulling fuses as suggested and f46 behind the glovebox solved the issue. Transfer case control module. I believe its under the rear seat if i remember right!

First unplug the module connector. If the short is still present you have to start poking the wiring between Terminal 30 and Terminal 15 wiring to module.

https://www.pss-autosoft.net/diagram...3_EA70006A.htm

https://bmwteka.com/wds/en/e53/0454c101

my transfer motor is disconnected underneath and i wonder has the damp got to it?!

Did you seal the connector after unplugging it? Or is it able to get moisture in it?Sent from my SM-G781W using Xoutpost.com mobile app

i bagged and tagged it, maybe 2/3 years ago so should be ok but maybe the dampness has got into it! il double check!

Even if the servomotor or its wiring is shorted I think it shouldn't cause voltage backfiring to Terminal 15.

Since pulling that fuse f46 my gremlins have left, but i now have ABS and Brake warning light illuninated.

i pulled the VTG module and had a look at it, small amount of green around two pins on the supply plug but nothing serious, inside was super clean.

put it all back together, fuse back in and i cant clear fault d35c in the VTG module.

Is it possible that a bad VTG module could have been my issue? can it short back to terminal 15? pretty sure it could?

Like I said earlier does the problem occur with module disconnected (fuse F46 in place)? Is the module internally shorting terminals or should you check the wiring?

well i cleaned both connectors to the VTG module and plugged it back in, fuse back in and everything is back to normal!

I have a spare VTG module here so if it plays about again il just swap that and see if that cures it!

pulling the fuses one by one was the key to finding the problem area, so thanks to the forum again!