XSeries-forum

Hi new to the forum, just a shame my first post is about problems!

Picked up my 4.6is yesterday and thought all was fine until I arrived home (80 miles away!).

1....The central locking does not work so, cannot lock the car.  Symptoms are:  Neither electronic key works, the console button does not work, the key just turns in the lock with no resistance what so ever, the keys will unlock the tailgate and so does the tailgate console button.  I've checked all fuses in front and rear boxes and all fine.  Am I correct in thing this is probably the GM3 module that needs resetting as it's now in transport mode?

2....Woke up this morning and tried to start the car and the engine would not turn.  There is a clicking noise and the battery seems to be fine.  Not tried jump starting yet, waiting for my wife to get home.

3....On the way home yesterday the TV worked (no signal though), the sat nav worked and the OBD was fine but, the radio and the tape player would not work and the majority of the buttons on the console computer were unresponsive.  This morning though, the radio works but, the OBD does not and nor does any of the other functions or the screen just the radio!

I can fix all these problems myself, apart from reprogramming the GM3, but would just like to know where to start.

Many thanks in advance for your help......

ATB Lee

I think I'd be taking it back for a refund.

How do you know the battery is fine? Battery issues cause all sorts of system problems so you really need to rule that out and reset everything (battery disconnect/reconnect).

Hi and welcome to the forum, sorry to hear of all your problems. Did you buy from a car dealer or a private sale? I would contact the seller and ask for a refund, or for the car to be sorted by them. If its a private sale I don't know where you stand.
The car may have been stood for a long time and they have charged it up prior to you testing the car. It may have lost its charge overnight if the battery is dodgy. These cars are notorious for faults when the batteries are shot. Did all the problems exist when you test drove the car, and for the journey home? Or have they all happened after being left overnight?
If you have a muli meter I would test the voltage, it should be 12 volts + when stood. Where are you based, you need to charge the battery first and see if the car starts first. Some X5's have an Italion starter that can drain the battery on start up when faulty. Alternators can be a problem too, if you can get it started you should get 14 v at the battery, you can. Check the voltage at the jumper points under the bonnet. A scanner 1.4.0 would be handy to read any faults if a member lives near by.

welcome aboard,  apart from what has already been said, did you test these things before you drove off and where they working at that time - like the central locking?

if they were, and if they're acting funny now and if ur car doesn't start, all these could be related to a low battery.. low battery means unrelated chaos  in these cars..

Thanks for the fast replies gents.  My wife came home and we jumped started the car and it started so, new battery on the way tomorrow.  It's going into an indy garage for a full service and once over tomorrow plus the rocker cover gasket needs replacing.

It was a private dealer (if that makes sense), I shall be calling him to arrange a refund for the cost of the battery.  The central locking thing, to be honest, was the only thing I didn't check - sods law I suppose!  If it is just a reprogram of the GM3 then I will be charging that to him as well (only £50).

I disconnected the battery and reconnected and it came up on the dash with transport mode so, I guess, hopefully, all it needs is a reprogram.  As far as the computer goes, I'll see what's up once the battery has been replaced....

Thanks all again for the replies 

Hi Jinja and welcome to a great site with lots of friendly knowledgable members. As you have seen already. Hopefully the battery will solve most of your issues and the central locking doesn't prove to be too much of an issue. Fingers crossed the dealer will play ball and cough up.

Not a great start to you ownership, but hopefully all sorted in double quick time and you can get on and enjoy a great car. 

Don

If you end up with electronics issues you could be looking at big bills to fix it.  I would take it back as being not in a fit state.

Sorry, but with these cars the repairs can be very ouch.

Richard

If the rocker gaskets are shot it's a near certainty the PCV hoses will be knackered too. These in poor state can contribute to rocker gasket failure.

I would reject the car or you may have big bills ahead.......You have only just started to find niggles !

Shame you missed these matters on inspecting thre car albeit seller could have jumped it before you arrived.

Re battery I would check date on same - often flat battery indicative of drainage due to current drains not necessarily a duff battery if that makes sense.

At end of day seller is either a private seller ( or their agent), with owners name on V5C or a motor trader. It doesnt matter if he trades on roadside or at  a main dealeship your rights are the same under SOGA. Vehicle should be free from defects and any defect found withon 6 months shall be deeemed present at point of sale with onus on seller to prove otherwise.........all subject to legal deliberation. If you have a receipt saying you checked the car & it was free from defects at point of sale or has same you may struggle if it went to court. If receipt says sold as seen that disclaimer is no defence to the seller.

Any chimp  can buy an E53 for peanuts give it a wash and sell it on unsorted of known issues. If he/she  is a good trader he will sort the car, refund or come to an arrangement with repair costs. He/she may be honourable and come good, however, I have little time for those who look to make a fast buck and who shrug at their legal reponsibilities.


I suggest if you are admant on keeping this........( I would walk away if able), that you pay a decent bmw independent to go over the car and quote for everything it needs including vat parts labour. if you go to daves backstreet garage you are unlikely to get accurate technical assesment &/or might end up paying for someone who cant fix the car.

Good Luck...........Oh & welcome




 

Oh and dont try to fix/replace anything until you speak to seller........Some use this as an excuse to blame you for messing the car up - His/her sale so should be his/her problem. By alll means get car checked but I suspect the time & labour for a decent diagnostic and/or fault report by a suitable person might not be  beer money! 

Welcome.
Hope all things get sorted

[quote="Y13HYA"]
Welcome.
Hope all things get sorted
[/quote]+1 

Hi and welcome hope you get things sorted!

Its strange the amount of posts like this on here and yet I still have a car with nothing wrong sat on the drive for sale!

Unfortunately, the dealer is 80 miles away, which makes taking it back etc a little harder than normal.  I did get the car for a good price and allowed a certain amount to spend on it to get it ship shape.  The bill for all the work that's being done today comes to £550, which is a little less than I'd allowed (£750) so, still within budget.  I should (fingers crossed) get £200 of that back from the dealer so, not unhappy with where I am at the moment.

Just had a call from the BMW specialist garage that the battery is indeed naff and the car has reverted to transport mode so, a reprogram of the GM3 is necessary.  Thanks AW8 for letting me know about the PCV hoses, getting a price on those now.

Still waiting to hear from the trader.....

Thanks again for the info....

[quote="Jinja"]
Unfortunately, the dealer is 80 miles away, which makes taking it back etc a little harder than normal.  I did get the car for a good price and allowed a certain amount to spend on it to get it ship shape.  The bill for all the work that's being done today comes to £550, which is a little less than I'd allowed (£750) so, still within budget.  I should (fingers crossed) get £200 of that back from the dealer so, not unhappy with where I am at the moment.

Just had a call from the BMW specialist garage that the battery is indeed naff and the car has reverted to transport mode so, a reprogram of the GM3 is necessary.  Thanks AW8 for letting me know about the PCV hoses, getting a price on those now.

Still waiting to hear from the trader.....

Thanks again for the info....
[/quote]

Sounds like things are getting better

Hope all gets sorted