strange electrical problems
 

I couldn't find any information about my problems anywhere on the internet. Maybe you guys can guide me in the right direction.

I have a 2001 x5 3.0. I have been have a strange electrical problem that comes and goes. When the problems happens, I lose the Air condition, the air blows, but not cold. The radio goes out completely, no power or clock at all. The reverse lights and the heated seats don't work. The turn signals work on the outside, but don't flash or click on the dash. If you open a door, the indicator on the dash doesn't work. Also, the rain sensor wipers won't work, the wipers just work in normal mode. Also, I lose the ability to use the keyless entry and alarm. I have to insert the key to lock and unlock the vehicle.

The coming and going usually happen when the vehicle is parked and turned off. I will start it up and sometimes it has all features working, other times, nothing will work. Speaking with the dealer was useless. They basically wanted a blank check to troubleshot the issues. They told me that there must be a short in the dash and it needs to come out completely for them to search for a problem. At $90/hour, I don't need a dealer abusing me like they have done in the past.

Sometime the issue will be for days at a time, then start working for days. But lately, it has been mostly not working.

Thanks in advance, Dave

go get a new battery at dealer or somewhere else. replace it, reset the computer. everything will be fine. well, thats what happened on my 02 last winter, everything went dead but the car started fine. i change the battery, reset the comp. it is all good again.

I had some of those issues when the LKM fried. The dealer took 5 days to work out the fault codes for the LKM were stored in the dash module.

I was wondering if this could be related to the battery. I did replace the battery about 2 weeks before these issues started to happen.

How do I reset the computer?

bump.

disconnect the black (or negative) terminal on your battery for 15 mins and then reconnect it again.

Disconnect the battery and let it sit for 20-30 minutes. Reconnect and you're all set.

What is the LKM?

It happened again. I tried to reset the computer by disconnecting the battery for at least 1 hour. This didn't make a difference. Also, how does the radio remember the settings while the battery is disconnected. Is there another source of electric current?

Light Kontrol Module. A very expensive little black box that can give all sorts of problems. As only a dealer or well equipped indy can read the fault codes in the "Dash" memory you are limited for choices. Even if you could isolate it you need the BMW computer to program the module. Took 16 odd hours on the BMW computer at the $tealers to program my new LKM.
Before going that route I would go to Advanced Auto or the like and have them check the battery and charging system. Most do it for free and sell a very good replacement battery if needed.

Good Luck
 

I've got similar problems and have dropped over $2000 trying to solve it. My problem occurs when outside temp is over 85 fahrenheit, then the radio and inside turn indicators go out, as well as emergency lights. BMW in Germany thought it was one of the computer modules, but could never track it down (I lived one hour south of BMW world HQ in Munich....would have figured they could have solved the prob...). A local BMW specialist in Alexandria said the prob was a faulty final stage resistor, but when the weather got warm again, it started having the same prob.

It certainly ISN'T the battery. Been there and done that.

Any help would be appreciated.