Possible LCM problem? (Fixed)

[R80 DWR]

Hi everyone. New to this forum and X5 life so go easy on me.

Ok so this is likely talked to death but looks like if I go down the route of changing the LCM for my car it’s going to be rather expensive so I’d rather ask to be sure before I go about ordering one.

The problems I’m having are…

Cluster lights missing:
-full beam
-indicators (flash & tick)
-fog lights
-engine management light (doesn’t come on with ignition.
Car has no reverse lights
Indicators don’t flash when locking or unlocking
Adaptive headlight warning LED flashes after 10 seconds of having headlights turned on (steering wheel doesn’t sit straight)

Have tried disconnecting for 10 minutes, checked all fuses. Removed fuse 14 (loud!), unplugged stereo unit (aftermarket) & the webasto. Have also done a cluster test to check all LEDs are working (they are).

Car is a 2005 E53 X5 3.0D Sport with adaptive xenon.
Part number on LCM is 61.35 6 961140 without LWR

Car has other issues, drivers mirror damaged, still adjusts but neither mirror seems to fold. Both headlights drop & raise when switched on but the drivers seems too high & they don’t move with the wheel.

Is this definite symptoms of the LCM being faulty or could a communication fault elsewhere cause these issues?

[sapphireblack]

You need knowledge, someone like 'X5 Sport'. He's a mod here now so will see this for sure.

Good luck hope you get the issues sorted.

[X5Sport]

I think most of us would suggest have a diagnostics check done using a proper tool that understands and reports the correct BMW error codes. Chasing faults on these computers on wheels is a nightmare. Your hunch is probably correct, but expensive if you’re wrong.

Mirror folding issues are often caused by failed micro switches inside the unit. They get bunged up but can be fixed with care. New mirror units are a mortgage which is why they were often stolen!

A steering wheel off centre would worry me! That needs looking at to find if there is any front-end damage. Have a good look at the tyre wear and as soon as you can have a 4-wheel alignment check done by someone with the Hunter laser alignment tool. 2-wheel alignment isn’t good enough.

The height adjuster could be connected with the possible LCM fault or a bad control. A diagnostic check should show it up. BMW will charge you about an hour’s labour but a good Indy will be a lot cheaper. Someone in here from your part of the country may be able to point you at a reputable Indy. I use a very good one but he’s hundreds of miles from you in Milton Keynes

Oh, and - and we’re always gentle to everyone on here

[R80 DWR]

I think most of us would suggest have a diagnostics check done using a proper tool that understands and reports the correct BMW error codes. Chasing faults on these computers on wheels is a nightmare. Your hunch is probably correct, but expensive if you’re wrong.

Mirror folding issues are often caused by failed micro switches inside the unit. They get bunged up but can be fixed with care. New mirror units are a mortgage which is why they were often stolen!

A steering wheel off centre would worry me! That needs looking at to find if there is any front-end damage. Have a good look at the tyre wear and as soon as you can have a 4-wheel alignment check done by someone with the Hunter laser alignment tool. 2-wheel alignment isn’t good enough.

The height adjuster could be connected with the possible LCM fault or a bad control. A diagnostic check should show it up. BMW will charge you about an hour’s labour but a good Indy will be a lot cheaper. Someone in here from your part of the country may be able to point you at a reputable Indy. I use a very good one but he’s hundreds of miles from you in Milton Keynes

Oh, and - and we’re always gentle to everyone on here

I think the steering wheel off centre is likely the tracking not having been done properly as it drives like a dream. Just wondered if that could confuse the adaptive lighting.

I’ll not look into the mirror issue yet as honestly the drivers side is hanging on by a thread lol. Again I just wondered if a short or damaged cabling could be the problem.

I’ve found a very reasonably priced LCM from the states but don’t want to order it if it’s not going to work. I’m guessing it can be recoded for lhd vs rhd?

I tend to try most things myself so my car rarely sees a garage but not sure I’ve got the right equipment for diagnostics yet. I’ve got a modified elm327 usb adaptor I used to use on my mk4 Mondeo that worked a dream for fault finding & coding but the software seems like it was a lot easier to use than the ones available for BMW.

I’m not scared to give it a go once I can find out what software & adaptors would be best to use. Online searches again just bring up a load of confusing opinions & programs I’ve never heard of lol

[Greydog]

Morning and
The symptoms certainly seem to indicate a failed/failing LCM (recently suffered myself) I used PA Soft BMW 1.4.0 and a scan showed no communication with the LCM, and several other modules. BMW and even some specialists will tell you the only way to fix the issue is with a New LCM fitted and coded by them of course, they also say you cant use a second hand unit. Well that is wrong.

I used realoem to get the part number then Googled and found an LCM on Ebay £40, actually removing the old LCM and fitting the replacement was the longest/fiddliest part of the job. A scan showed all units were back, I then cleared the multiple faults that were held in the memory.

Now if you start the car you will get a Tamper Dot by the Mileage on the dash everything will work but your X5 retains Chassis and Mileage information in 2 places the IKE and the LCM. The process to change and reprogram your replacement LCM is simple if you have BMW 1.4.0 or a friend who has it. I will send a How To if you need it. I did try with INPA/ISTA Ncs expert but struggled I have to say.

[sapphireblack]

Wonky steering wheels are a personal bug-bear, and whilst you have more pressing things to resolve, do ensure the steering wheel is mounted on the shaft correctly. BMW arent alone with having indents on the shaft and wheel to align, but best checked before having tracking sorted. A four wheel alignment may be a good idea
This does of course mean airbag off, battery disconnected, but i think youll be doing the latter anyway.

[X5Sport]

I hate wonky wheels too!!

Just in case you are tempted to try it, don't unplug an airbag with the battery still connected. The 'bang' isn't the issue, it's the car gets all upset about it and promptly throws a warning light that needs scanning tool to correct. You'd be surprised as to how many will try it though.

[R80 DWR]

Just a wee update… pulled the car to bits today & had a deeper look into the audio system. Removed an unknown adaptor from a rather large module with a cooling fan in the boot. After it was removed everything returned to normal. Everything works perfectly. Even the steering wheel controls have sprung into life. Put the strange adaptor back in & everything continued to work perfectly.

So yes the problem is fixed but unfortunately I can’t describe how I’ve done it

[sapphireblack]

Well i have no idea what that connector block is either curious how it reactivated missing things when removed but didnt recreate a problem when re-fitted.

A good result though

[Leslie]

Good job wonder if water is getting in the connector from behind the light cluster and upsetting things

[R80 DWR]

Everything looks dry & clean cos that’s originally what I went hunting for.

My happiness was short lived as it’s today been rear ended by a tailgater

[sapphireblack]

Oh dear well at least you'll get a fresh paint job on the rear end, albeit not a desired choice.

[R80 DWR]

Well let’s just say his 2020 Luton van needs a lot more than paint lol. That badly damaged that the passenger door wouldn’t open more than 6 inches.

The E53 is clearly made of some strong stuff!

[Leslie]

That's a real shame Id think there is a fair bit of damage behind the plastic bumper and it will be a writeoff

[R80 DWR]

That's a real shame Id think there is a fair bit of damage behind the plastic bumper and it will be a writeoff

It’s going in for an evaluation on Thursday with the body shop so I’ll know what’s happening then. When you look down behind the bumper everything looks straight & the bumper is still solid so fingers crossed it’s just the tailgate damage. Which also still functions & fits perfectly