BMW 5-Series Maintenance and Repair

2734 messages,  Last post on Mar 25, 2013 at 4:00 PM

You are in the BMW 5-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 5 Series, Electrical, Engine, Sedan, Wagon

    
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#1562 of 2734 528i in Electrical Distress!!!!! by satxdancer

Feb 26, 2006 (9:39 pm)

I have a 1998 528i that has some serious electrical problems. The symptoms are: ---> Rough idle during warm temperatures, and/OR it also idles rough in cool temperatures when going above 55 mph. I turn it off and then back on, and then it idles like normal; smooth. On top of this. When I turn off my car, take the key out of the ignition, and lock it up, - the gage cluster lights stay on all night, along with the red, night interior lights next to the rear view mirror, and my hazard light switch. My gages used to fail and not work at all, until I started to disconnect my batter and then reconnect it. My Hazard switch is always on (not flashing at all, but just a solid on light; even when the car is parked and locked). This kills my battery if I dont disconnect it when away for long periods of time. My head lights turn on as soon as I turn on the ignition, and the high beams never turn on at all. I have no control over the headlight's on/off switch. My turn signals dont work AT ALL either. A few days ago, temperatures fell under freezing point and when I started my car my high beams worked and so did my turn signals - until the car warmed up. Then it was back to chaos. I finally realized that the fuses, bulbs, and switches are in good order on my car. The battery is also brand new and within specs of the car. IS THERE ANY ADVISE ANYONE CAN GIVE ME BEFORE I TAKE IT TO THE BMW SERVICE CENTER AND GET ROBBED????? I'm starting to think that it's the computer to the car. But how many computers are there to my car? Or could they bad relays? PLEASE HELP WITH ANY ADVISE !!!!! thanks!!! - Mike

#1563 of 2734 Re: 528i in Electrical Distress!!!!! [satxdancer] by div2

Feb 28, 2006 (10:34 am)

Replying to: satxdancer (Feb 26, 2006 9:39 pm)
Check your battery and alternator output.

#1564 of 2734 Thurst Arm vs. Support Arm by gajohnstons

Mar 11, 2006 (10:05 am)

Hi Everyone. I purchased a 1993 BMW 525i in July of 2004. At that time I had a mechanic do about 2103.25 worth of repairs, etc. on the car including replacing a "Support Arm" and "Support Bushings". Last week the car began to rev on its own and I took the car back to the same mechanic who said it was an air intake leak. When I called to get a status on the repair, I was told that in addition to the air intake repair, I also needed to have a long list of other repairs done (to the tune of 2K) including replacing the "Thrust Arm" and "Support Arm". Are these the same thing? If so, would it go bad again only after 2 years??? Thank you in advance for any light you can shed on this.

#1565 of 2734 Re: Heat and A/C problems with my 1993 525i [terpsroll] by gajohnstons

Mar 11, 2006 (10:08 am)

Replying to: terpsroll (Aug 06, 2005 10:35 am)
I have the same problem with mine. Did you ever get an answer??

#1566 of 2734 2004 5 series by djselzer

Mar 15, 2006 (7:15 pm)

I have heard from a colleague that the 2004 5 Series suffered several gliches. Specifically, the electrical system had recurrent problems. His 2004 530i was replaced with a 2005 530i under the "Lemon Law". I have spied a 2004 545i CPO at our local dealer. The car has reasonable mileage with a manual transmission. What can owners/lessors of the 2004 5 Series tell me about these cars that may convince me to entertain other options or take a chance?

#1567 of 2734 Re: Thurst Arm vs. Support Arm [gajohnstons] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Mar 17, 2006 (7:16 pm)

Replying to: gajohnstons (Mar 11, 2006 10:05 am)
They could be either front or rear bushings.

#1568 of 2734 Bad rotten egg smell coming from my 530i 1994 BMW by kelspa77

Mar 21, 2006 (5:05 pm)

My check engine light came on when my bmw was leaking coolant. I put a new raidiator in it and the check engine light stayed on. The fuses keep blowing in the car and we just replaced the rear tail light assembly. The stereo has been popping and going off and has finally quit working and the new lights that we just put in the car are not working. The battery was also dead so I just replaced the battery. The car will not start and has to be jumped. The battery is only 2 months old. And now there is a bad rotten egg smell coming from the car. It is so bad that you can smell it several feet from the car. Anything that is in the car also smells like it when you remove it from the car. It gets stronger as you drive the car. It is so strong that it will make your nausea. The dash board lights also went out when this all happend but they are now working again. The abs light is also on. And the air is not working very well. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

#1569 of 2734 Re: Bad rotten egg smell coming from my 530i 1994 BMW [kelspa77] by andys120

Mar 21, 2006 (5:37 pm)

Replying to: kelspa77 (Mar 21, 2006 5:05 pm)
It would takean electrical genius to sort thru the multitiude of electrical problems your car has but I'd bet that the smell and some of the poor running is caused by a bad (plugged up) Catalytic converter. If your mechanic has not figured this out, get a new mechanic (and a new Cat).

#1570 of 2734 Re: Bad rotten egg smell coming from my 530i 1994 BMW [andys120] by div2

Mar 21, 2006 (9:47 pm)

Replying to: andys120 (Mar 21, 2006 5:37 pm)
And possibly years of neglect coming home to roost...

#1571 of 2734 Re: 2004 5 series [djselzer] by killiany

Mar 24, 2006 (8:59 pm)

Replying to: djselzer (Mar 15, 2006 7:15 pm)
I have a 2004 530i manual transmission and I love it. I only had to take it to the dealer once for a recall (related to smog control, I think). I bought it new in May 2004, and now it has about 18000 miles. The only electrical thing that bothered me a couple of times was this static noise in the CD/radio while I was driving. I noticed if I turned the car off and started it back up again, the static would be gone immediately. It happened three times in two years. It was annoying but not YET a real problem. I consider that one of German cars' idiosyncrasies. Other than that, I can't think of anything else.
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