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BMW 7-Series Maintenance and Repair

831 messages,  Last post on Feb 17, 2013 at 11:00 AM

You are in the BMW 7-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 7 Series, Electrical, Engine, Sedan

Messages Page 65 of 84

#634 of 831 #634 of 634 1992 BMW 735i by danbouy by danbouy

Nov 29, 2008 (2:01 pm)

Due to needed repairs I had to park my car but the date to have repairs made have has been extended twice. The other day I went to start the car and of course realized I was unable to get the key to unlock the door, not to speak of accessing the battery to put a charge in it. What do I do now? Is there anyone out there who has a solution? I need to move the car in the next couple of days--at least by December 1, 2008.

#635 of 831 #634 of 634 1992 BMW 735i by danbouy by danbouy

Nov 29, 2008 (2:08 pm)

Due to needed repairs I had to park my car. The date to have repairs made has been extended twice. The other day I went to start the car and of course realized I was unable to get the key to unlock the door, not to speak of accessing the battery that is now dead and needs to be charged. What do I do now? Is there anyone out there who has a solution? I need to move the car in the next couple of days--at least by December 1, 2008.

#636 of 831 Vanus valve? Overdrive unable to lock? by DACollins

Dec 15, 2008 (2:47 pm)

My wife's 01 740il, 135K, has for the last 6 months been developing a (what I incorrectly called a surge) that was barely noticeable at light throttle, highway speeds. As I have watched, the tach when it drops engine speed to engage overdrive, the engine makes a growling or "snoring" sound and pops out of overdrive. Took it to a local bimmer shop (not dealer). Said the Vanus valve was bad from sludge (Thanks BMW service plan from original owner). Caused the control module mounted in conjunction with themostat housing to go bad because the vanus could not move properly confusing the module and burned it out. (not sure I buy it) Anyways, this growling, gear hunting, transmision chattering occurance happens ONLY after the car has achieved operating temp. I have taken the throttle body apart, no wear detectable. Have replaced the spark plugs and boots. HAve spent 1600 dollars on shop to replace vanus valve, control module, etc, Now problem is worse. And the check engine light comes on (bulb burned out now) Please, any help would be appreciated. Don't have money for shop again and Wife won't drive it.

#637 of 831 Re: Vanus valve? Overdrive unable to lock? [DACollins] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Dec 15, 2008 (3:13 pm)

Replying to: DACollins (Dec 15, 2008 2:47 pm)
I wonder if it's your torque converter clutch?

#638 of 831 Re: Vanus valve? Overdrive unable to lock? [Mr_Shiftright] by DACollins

Dec 15, 2008 (4:58 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Dec 15, 2008 3:13 pm)
I asked the shop about the trans. They said that if it wasn't locking up, the check engine light would come on. True? It almost feels as if the timing changes, you know the way the engine sounds. Does the torque converter clutch Not lock up during warmup to assist in the warmup procedure?

#639 of 831 Re: Vanus valve? Overdrive unable to lock? [DACollins] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Dec 15, 2008 (6:13 pm)

Replying to: DACollins (Dec 15, 2008 4:58 pm)
I'm not sure on your car but I know that the TC is not allowed to engage with a cold engine on cars like Lexus, yes.
 
Saying that a light "should come on" is not an answer. They should be looking for a code regardless.
 
Wide and sudden fluctuations in engine timing would be a pretty spooky thing--that would be throwing all kinds of codes then.
 
It's kind of hard without driving the car myself. I didn't buy the Vanos idea either.

#640 of 831 Re: 1997 740il a little shakey [jchenirvine] by jerodf

Dec 16, 2008 (7:51 am)

Replying to: jchenirvine (Feb 01, 2004 1:31 am)
I know this is old but do you remember the result? Mine did it twice once was the suspenison arm or something now its back and no one can tell me why?

#641 of 831 My last BMW by mevander1

Jan 08, 2009 (10:40 pm)

I have owned BMW's for a long time and my current 740I will be my last. At only 75,000 miles (1998 model year) the thing is falling apart re: repairs and I am not the only one with these problems.. too many to list. The latest and perhaps most costly problem is the Catalytic converters. I don't have the engine light yet, however they are making that trademark 'gravel' type sound after car is on for a few minutes. I am not going to let the dealer do it for they want 5,800.00 (they must be on crack). I will use aftermarket items that cost less than 100 each plus installation (will use a muffler shop I know of).
 
I have friends who have Toyota, Nissan ect and they are much less to maintain. Do they feel as good when you close the door, no. Why can't BMW engineer cars that don't cost a ton to maintain? You see a lot of people with Honda Accords with 150K miles and they run strong and have not needed much re: repairs.

#642 of 831 On-Board Computer question by AnnWhal

Jan 11, 2009 (3:41 pm)

Hello, I just bought a 99 750iL & the seller (dealer) assures me that the on-board computer/nav system needs only to be reprogrammed. It comes on, but only the steering wheel radio controls work, can't get the CD player online... I don't care about the navigation system, I only drive locally. I DO care about the radio/CD player! My question is: Is the seller lying? Anyone? Thanks.

#643 of 831 Re: On-Board Computer question [AnnWhal] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 11, 2009 (5:30 pm)

Replying to: AnnWhal (Jan 11, 2009 3:41 pm)
This is an extremely trouble-prone system with many historical faults so it's hard to know what's going on without proper diagnostics.
 
If it's so easy to program why didn't the dealer do it? And I never heard of "re-programming" to correct a blank screen.
 
You might check with the BMW dealer to see if there are software updates on CD. Maybe that'll help?
 
You apparently need (according to my book) the Software CD V17.0 inserted into the Navigation computer (the CD-ROM V17.0 bears the P/N 01 59 9 789 299 Index "u"). There is a step by step procedure for installing this upgrade and also getting the radio to work.
 
If your dealer hinted that all you had to do was press a few buttons---well, lotsa luck.

Messages Page 65 of 84

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