2000 WILL NOT START???
 

Ok not sure were to start and if problems are related? I have been having problems with the steering wheel controls working and even have lost controls to the radio it self, had the seatbelt light and airbag light come on on more than one ocassion. Research here lead me to change the ignition switch which I did today.

All this happens and now I have noticed a coolant leak right were the top hose elbow connects to the radiator were the seams are. I have been adding coolant every now and then until it finally showed itself. So I need radiator. (Where is the best place to get a radiator? Is it tough to install one on the X5?)

The wife was leaving and she noticed the trans fail safe and the engine fail safe prog. So she shut the car off then tried to restart but nothing was happening. Radio was working lights worked but nothing when turning the key not even a click, click, click.

So I get home and try to start and nothing. I figued I would check the coolant level so I took off the coolant cap and put it back on. got in the car and turned the key and it started, put it in gear and it died. After turning the key a few times I noticed the temp gauge would shoot right over to hot pegged out everytime I turned the key to try and start. Also the DSC and ABS light is on.

So used the tractor to pull the car back up and get it in he garage so i could do the ignition switch.

The error messages do not show up anymore for some reason. Did they clear when I dissconnected the battery? It seems like there is something locking the car ot from starting bt what do I know. Its going to be towed out monday unless I can get some info here to help me out.

With a list of concerns like that, I'd think possibly voltage issues. Having it looked at by the dealer would be the best thing at this point as there diagnostic equipment communicated with ALL control modules, which you have about 30 of...

The X is going out today. After reading more here I see it could be a number of issues. It seems that alot of people have alternator problems which cause lots of problems. I do have an indy shop I use but I may just send this to the dealer for this one.

Any one ever do there own radiator change? Is doing this require any more skill than doing the brakes? If not I would like to do this myself as long as there are no special tools required.

well my indy shop called me and said that he could not even communicate with the car. Its off to the dealer. Weasl56 is that normal for them not to be able to communicate? Hopefully I will find out this afternoon what our problems are.

In the past when I worked at indy shops, the scanner I had (snap on) did have trouble communicating with some vehicles. And even if it did communicate properly, it would rear ONLY the engine computer, and maybe the airbag and transmission computers... there are 20+ more computers on the X5 to read!!! The ONLY way for a proper diagnosis with electrical problems like you are experiencing is to have it diagnosed with the proper equipment in cases like this.

But good luck with her and hopefully it is something simple!

Update, the dealer has been checking this out and has run into the same trouble of communicating with the car. Service advisor said they will be doing more test tomorrow to try and determine what it is. He did advise me that its it possible that its the DME. I am sure this is not cheap from the dealer. Anyone ever have to replace their DME and Is this common?

Very uncommon, and likely will be expensive if it is the DME... hopefully it can be fixed without replacement.

Hopefully its common to fix without replacement :(.

I'm thirsty, got lemonade?

It does sound like a voltage problem as Weasel said. Most likely a battery. unless the system voltage is correct none of the on-board computers will act properly.

As far as the radiator. Not hard at all. If you did your breaks you can do your radiator. My '01 4.4 leaked in the same place yours is. Previously, it had leaked from the tank also.

Unfortunately, BMW is very proud of their antifreeze and charge accordingly for it. I would (and did) use the BMW fluid because of the possibility of clumping up the fluid if what you use is not compatible with the BMW fluid.

I purchased the radiator and upper and lower hoses from Europarts Direct (europartsdirect.com) for $432.89.