Looks like that red T handle tool belongs somewhere a lot easier to get to than under the rear cargo bay floor. I think I'll just duct tape mine to the dash next to the hula girl :)

Funf Dreisig

Yet another part for Funf Dreisg AG to add to their collection of "must have" accessories. Perhaps a special colored tape for the ///M package can be designed as well....:bustingup

You beat me to it:thumbup:

Look for a new product release from Funf Dreisig AG -- T Handle Holder for Dummies.

I'll have to check the work order for a part number. Wife has it.

Casual look at it was not obvious. I could not even tell if it had had the interval service until I asked and service rep showed me the individual services like brake fluid/bleeding.

I don't even know about the red T-handle. Assume it would have been explaned had I been able to get to the manual.

Guess I need to get my wife a hula girl - or maybe hula boy.

Also maybe Funf Dreisg AG can provide mod to make lighter plug always hot!

For E70 X5 owners who may end up with a dead battery and need to move their X5 without power....

The tool that manually releases the parking brake and unlocks the transmission is the same tool -- it is the big red T handle tool under the cargo bay floorboard.

The drawing in the manual is somewhat misleading. To release the parking brake you use the T shaped cut out in one end of the handle to pull up on the chrome end of a cable. It is pretty small and very close to the outside fender. There is however and small white sticker just behind it.

To unlock the tranny you use the same tool but the long end. You pull up JUST the rubber mat in the cup holder area. Pinch the center and pull up. The drivers cup holder area has a round cover that can be unscrewed with the square end of the red tool. Once open, you will see a fitting on the tranny that fits the round section of the red tool a little further up the shaft.

The problem is that when your battery is dead you may not be able to get to the little Red T handle tool - DUH. So it may be better to store the little Red T handle somewhere in the main cabin.

Funf Dreisig

We here at Funf Dreisig AG are always looking for another "must Have" accessory for our discerning customers. Our crack team of engineers and leprechauns are working on a mod for making the Cargo Bay 12v point HOT all the time. And despite what some of you may think -- it does NOT involve battery jumper cables coming through precision cut holes in the cargo bay floor.

The tentative name for this innovative new product is -- HOT Plugs for Dummies. But we are always open to creative input from our friends on this forum :)

Our only hesitation is the number of threads/posts about E70 X5s that have already run down their batteries even when these 12v points are turned off with the ignition. So we are concerned that when the dummies, err... our customers can continue running air compressors, arc welders, vibrators, etc. with the ignition off, we might have to change our main number from...1-800-GET-REAL to 1-800-GET-LOST.

Funf Dreisig

Thanks
 

Thanks Funf Dreisig. :yourock:

For both the T-handle tutorial and the "always hot" mod posts. :thumbup:

The T-handle is coming out of the closet tomorrow!

From 70 (X5 Dummy) Sixter!

:thumbdownSame exact problem here tonight. Car was in the garage (faily new with 8,000 miles on it) and it the electronics suffered a major meltdown and I mean MAJOR. All lights in the instrument panel are illuminated and they keep flashing. Trunk and glovebox will not open :wtf:. Of course it is where the owner's manual is :confused:. Called BMW assistance and they will tow it tomorrow morning. Thanks to this posting I was able to release the parking brake and put it in neutral all manually so the car is good to go in the next truck. I will keep you guys posted after the stealer's service. I hope I get get my car back in 2 days. BMW assistance said they are getting a lot of calls lately with the same issue. Thanks BMW for producing a $70K car that with 8K miles suffers a major meltdown. This may be my last BMW. :thumbdown

Gotta admit my 2007 has had this issue off and on .. but I always thought it's related to not driving that much (only around 40 km's a day) and leaving the car for a couple of days that this occurs.. somewhat explainable....I don't have comfort access or some of the other bells and whistles.. maybe it's the fully speced cars that are sucking too much for the poor electrical system....? Still poor design and it would appear that these instances are becoming more and more frequent.....:(

I owe you guys some detail on the electrical meltdown repair from the repair order:

The battery was at 7.0 volts. DME faults 2EFE Electric fan activation open circuit and 2DEC power management battery exhaustive discharge.

Replaced fan cutout relay 9137. Part number 61-36-661-503.

Charged battery, calibrated steering angle sensor (?) and cleared fault.

All under warranty.

I am still unhappy about extra BMW Assist $75 charge for dollies to get the car out of the garage. Dollies would have been required "on the side of the road" also since transmission was locked in park.

Sent angry e-mail to BMW :nanana: about the whole deal when completing dealers quality survey.