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-   -   Electrical Gremlins (I hope!) (https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/77611-electrical-gremlins-i-hope.html)

Lookin4Trouble 12-06-2010 04:25 AM

Electrical Gremlins (I hope!)
 
Fun bunch of issues going on with my '06 4.4i, I tried search function but can't seem to find how these might be related...

Intermittent issues:
"Check Brake Light"/"Check Rear Lights" - hard stop fixes those _every_ time, but still comes back maybe once in 3 or 4 trips, maybe turns on during the same trip 1/2 mile down the road... have pulled the housings and bulbs (always the right rear running brake light), and there's no issues that I can see (maybe a picture next time around will help? :dunno:

"CD Error" Reading from the 6-disc changer - only way I've found to fix is turn off car, eject magazine, re-seat magazine, start car - and that's worked all but once - happens maybe once a week

Frequent Issue:
"Pass Airbag Off" Illuminated w/airbag warning light on dash - happens 9/10 times that I start the car, and turns off maybe 1 of those 9 times within 3 or 4 minutes of driving. Happens regardless of a passenger being in the passenger seat.



Electrical Gremlins, or am I in for some sticker shock when I get it checked out in a couple days? Hoping it's something simple like battery on its way out or somesuch...

E

TheGodfather 12-06-2010 05:04 AM

Failing battery?

I read a post a while ago that noted how a weak battery can cause intermittent electrical gremlins.

Lookin4Trouble 12-06-2010 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGodfather (Post 786071)
Failing battery?

I read a post a while ago that noted how a weak battery can cause intermittent electrical gremlins.


Totally possible. Haven't checked the battery, but if it's original it's 4 years and 8 months old, and it's getting cold out... Wondering if I should just spring for a replacement and get it over with (DIY of course!)

Will at least check it, if it's a BMW OEM and the product date is before mid-'08 I'll probably end up replacing it and hope that fixes...

E

Wayne's World 12-06-2010 10:51 AM

Check the voltage with the car off. Can be done easily with a multimeter from under the hood at the + & ground posts. If the voltage is seemingly higher than 12 volts, even 12.1, likely its a failing battery. It should typically never exceed 12v when new. If it's exceeding 12v now, it likely means that the decreasing electrolyte content is creating a more acidic environment and when running, will actually create a higher than normal voltage system potentially playing havoc with some components. This is a theory and of course, most people replace the battery before you can ever really spend time proving it. But the science is there....

Lookin4Trouble 12-06-2010 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne's World (Post 786105)
Check the voltage with the car off. Can be done easily with a multimeter from under the hood at the + & ground posts. If the voltage is seemingly higher than 12 volts, even 12.1, likely its a failing battery. It should typically never exceed 12v when new. If it's exceeding 12v now, it likely means that the decreasing electrolyte content is creating a more acidic environment and when running, will actually create a higher than normal voltage system potentially playing havoc with some components. This is a theory and of course, most people replace the battery before you can ever really spend time proving it. But the science is there....

Will do, thanks :thumbup:

JCL 12-06-2010 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne's World (Post 786105)
Check the voltage with the car off. Can be done easily with a multimeter from under the hood at the + & ground posts. If the voltage is seemingly higher than 12 volts, even 12.1, likely its a failing battery. It should typically never exceed 12v when new.

Hmmm, I always understood it should be 12.65 volts at the battery itself, fully charged. Something slightly less than that under the hood, due to minor loads since the vehicle won't be asleep.

Wayne's World 12-06-2010 05:49 PM

Sorry. JCL is correct. It's 12.65 or 12.7 max at 100% charge.


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