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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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Messages Page 72 of 274

#706 of 2734 rancher2 by div2

Jul 14, 2004 (12:25 pm)

BMWs have had problems with oil level sensors going back to the E28. OTOH, if the owner took the car in because the nitwit lacked the mental capacity to check the oil manually... As for the SRS light, it would be helpful to know what fault was being detected. The two most common faults are the sensor in the seat belt buckle and the sensor in the bottom seat cushion. For what it's worth, my brand new 1995 Club Sport threw an SRS code on my third day of ownership. The dealer's MODIC identified the problem as the passenger seat belt sensor. I never got around to having the buckle replaced and in nearly nine years and 91K miles the problem has never returned. That said, I'd recommend having the vehicle inspected by a qualified BMW tech. While I doubt the tech will find any problems, I think it would be worth it simply for your peace of mind. Remember that the key to a reliable BMW is proper maintenance. Change the oil as indicated using BMW Synthetic or Mobil 1 0W-40. Change the BMW coolant every three years, and change the brake fluid every two years using a good DOT4 fluid such as ATE Super Blue or Castrol LMA. Needless to say, perform all other inspection services as called for. Change the ATF(if so equipped) every 80K-100K miles. The final drive and manual gearbox oils should be changed at least every 100K miles unless you track the car, in which case I'd change them out every 60K.

#707 of 2734 A/C poor performance by warthog

Jul 14, 2004 (12:43 pm)

I have a 2003 530iA, 12k miles. I live in central NC, where summertime highs are high 80's to mid-90's. When I drive in city traffic the A/C is worthless, or worse. Sometimes it seems to blow air that's hotter than the outside air, if that's possible. After a few sustained minutes at 40 mph or better it gets cool, but in heavy traffic that doesn't happen. Is this problem endemic to the car or do I have a problem?
 
Thanks.

#708 of 2734 warthog by div2

Jul 14, 2004 (1:07 pm)

Check the refrigerant level as well as the operation of the auxiliary fan. The fan can sometimes get jammed with leaves and other debris. The A/C in my wife's 1997 528iA has no problem coping with +95F temperatures regardless of vehicle speed.

#709 of 2734 E60 545i Air Conditioner Smells by nomore

Jul 14, 2004 (2:20 pm)

I have an E60 545i 2004. Brand new, delivered in Feb 04. I live in a cool, dry climate. Air conditioner smells like puke. After having the car serviced, which included spraying the system twice with disinfectant by the dealer (once with the official BMW repair kit), it now smells like perfumed puke. The dealer is aware of this problem in other models as well. I think it's caused by a faulty design which does not allow for the system to drain after usage. BMW thinks they're adding humidity. I think they've insured persistent mold. Why would I want to pay 60k to have toxic mold blown into my face? I hope BMW addresses this problem soon. Next week, the evaporator is being replaced. Anyone else experiencing the same thing?

#710 of 2734 Re: rancher2 [div2] by rancher2

Jul 14, 2004 (3:45 pm)

Replying to: div2 (Jul 14, 2004 12:25 pm)
Dear Div2
Thank you very much for very valuable information. It sounds like you really know BMW. I really appreaciate that. I am going to buy the car now. It sounds like sensors are the problem, and that is not a big deal.

#711 of 2734 Air conditioner smell by george94

Jul 14, 2004 (5:34 pm)

I own MY2003 E39 530 I also experienced the A/C smell. At the beginning I could not believe it was my brand new car that smelled this way (i could never smelled it inside the cabin, though). I was at denial until my wife commented on it while walking in the garage one day. Anyway, this is my 2nd summer and the smell seemed to resolve itself. It went away on its own. No service related to this issue was ever performed. I live in NE and don't use the A/C all year around. If you do a search on this subject here you will find out you are not alone and many other people experienced the same problem indeed. You will also be able to locate some workarounds although I never did them myself. Good luck.

#712 of 2734 Re: A/C poor performance [warthog] by manybmws

Jul 15, 2004 (5:28 am)

Replying to: warthog (Jul 14, 2004 12:43 pm)
Make sure center vent control is on neutral or towards blue.

#713 of 2734 I-Drive/Navigation Question on 04' 525 by cargirl525

Jul 15, 2004 (8:15 pm)

Hey Gang-
 
I just got my 2004 525 and, every time I turn on the car, there is a warning on the screen that I have to push down on the I-drive controller to get rid of (basically warning you not to use the navigation system while you are driving). Is there anyway to stop the system from doing that? Also, whenever you take off your seatbelt, the bell rings and rings, and rings, until you put it back on. Is there any way to turn that off after the initial warning?

#714 of 2734 Re: E60 545i Air Conditioner Smells [nomore] by jbarrow

Jul 16, 2004 (2:40 pm)

Replying to: nomore (Jul 14, 2004 2:20 pm)
A recent tip in Roundel suggests the only way to prevent the smell is to turn the A/C off for the last few minutes that the car is being driven each time it is driven.

#715 of 2734 AC not working by magic04

Jul 17, 2004 (9:43 am)

I have a 2001 530i that the air conditioner is not working. The display works, but no air is coming out and the fan will not come on. Heater doesn't work either I checked the fuses in the glove box, but did not find one that was for the AC blower. Can anyone tell me where the fan blower fuse is or is there something else I can check?

Messages Page 72 of 274

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