E53 Gone Loco ***SOLVED***
 

Hi Everyone, been a while since I've been on our forum. I still have my X5 but I have a new problem that I am struggling to diagnose. :dunno:

It started a week ago with the rear wiper just accepting the command but wuld not stop with one swipe and would eventually park incorrectly. My Avin radio would just start adding its own commands switching modes from radio, video, bluetooth, etc.

Now, my seat heaters won't work but the steering wheel heater does. The front wipers might work, they might not. It seems like the iBus is scrambling messages but that is only a guess.

I tried scanning with my Foxwell NT-510 and I can get into the car but I cant access several modules.

Can any of our brain trust members on our forum guide me in a direction to check? This one has me baffled :banghead:.

That's frustrating for sure.

Electronics being what they are, have you tried disconnecting then reconnecting the battery?

It had crossed my mind, maybe I can give that a try this morning. I did pull the AVIN radio out and disconnected the iBus adapter and main power connection to it but no change. At least I can rule that out. :thumbup:

Gave it a shot but no love. Disconnected battery terminals, shorted together for 10 seconds to drain any memory and reconnected :(

It's reminding me of a shorted oil level sensor knocking out the buss.

Pull the rubber boot out of its mount holes going to the rear hatch. I think there might be two but look first at the right side.

The wire bundle in there will commonly self destruct. Mine had a few wires with the insulation rubbed off.

Can't read modules is a suck start point because the first step i recommend is look for shorted switches with the foxwell.

My rear hatch switch would short when it rained. I would see it on foxwell as "pressed".

Can you get to no modules or just some?

Typically when a problem it won't read the VIN and you have to manually enter model. Often you can get places you otherwise can't when you go that route.


–awr–

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Why don't you rule out a bad ignition switch with the visor test...

Start the car, then lower the visor and open/close the vanity mirror a few times. Try it on both visors. If any of your symptoms trigger during the test, replace the ignition switch.

Apparently the visor and the switch are on the same circuit.

Set if you can get to the modules that control the items you described.

There's a good chance you can command rear wiper on for example. If that works you likely have a problem with the switch but if the same module runs seat heat and wipers, leans toward that module.

Ever get water intrusion?


–awr–

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I remember that test from a few years ago but couldn't remember the exact procedure. I did that originally at first but I will try it again now. :thumbup:

I tried ringing you Andrew but couldn't get through. Call me

Get a new ignition switch, it is inexpensive.
Use only BMW Genuine ignition switch.

Sorry to hear that.

What particular modules are you not able to access? I think the malfunctioning stuff you mentioned is under the GM3 module?

Checking for water intrusion as suggested is a good idea I think. Maybe check all the fuses too.

Thank you everyone for your ideas and inputs. Special shout out to Andrew for spending half his day with me scanning and diagnosing my issues. Everything we look at on online forums and the help from here, points to the ignition switch so as said by CN90, it is a low cost effort to rule out this problem. I am ordering a Genuine BMW switch today and will update you if this fixes the problem. :thumbup:

What about the visor test? Did you try it?

If it works, it is an even lower cost way - uh, free... to rule out the Ignition switch..

Yes, thank you. The visor test didn't give me the aha moment but all my symptoms seem to be the same as others with air bag lights, no rear wipers, no vanity lights , no horn, etc. At almost 22 years old, my X5 certainly could use a new ignition switch, even if it doesn't solve my issues but I am encouraged. If not, there is always more beer... ;)

Very cool, good on Andrew for going above and beyond!

Effduration's hunch looks to be close.

So you are going ahead with the ignition switch? Let us know if it solves it please!

Yes, indeed. I ordered the Genuine BMW switch from FCP Euro yesterday with expedited shipping so I should have in hand on Tuesday. I will keep everyone updated :thumbup:

Thanks, hope that fixes it then, good luck!

Thank you everyone for your help and assistance. The ignition switch solved the problem!

I have to say, this kind of family on our forum just amazes me. The help, the discussion, the knowledge that can be found from one post. Astonishing. :thumbup:

Glad it's sorted, OB! :thumbup:

And yeah, this place is one of the top reasons I'm keeping my e53 running! :rofl:

The phone call really sped up that process vs. back and forth on the thread but xo is the place to find the answers for sure.

About half way through the call i was pretty confident enough symptoms overlapped it "had to be it". Thrilled it was the issue.


–awr–

Using Tapatalk VIP on iPhone

Glad the ignition switch fixed it, OB!

And I agree on the wonderful community... I've been here since the Great Bimmerfest Migration of '05. Super group :thumbup:

Thanks guys! I love our family!

Did that occur at the same time as the "Great Server Migration" began???

Attachment 85103

And were all involved documented?

Thanks for the update and to everyone, now have a place to look if similar comes up!

No... the server migration message was much later, IIRC... we started out as xoutpost.com, but BMW objected, plus new X models were introduced, so we became Xoutpost.

Back in the early 2000's, bimmerfest was disdainful of the SAV concept and we didn't feel welcome there, so some enterprising enthusiasts set up this.

:wavey:

That's awesome news! It's fantastic when a friendly community gets together and there is a great result.

I'm happy to be a part of it as well

:thumbup: