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06-25-2009, 05:33 PM | #1 |
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Onboard Computer Goes Nuts
I climbed into my 2009 135i (6,000+ miles) this afternoon, fired her up and dropped the top and glanced at the dash.
The lower pane of the computer display was showing a green line randomly flashing across, the upper pane was flashing off and on with random icons. The tach and speedo were pinned at 0 and would occasionally rock up. I stopped and restarted the engine. Same thing. I drove to BMW. All the way there the car drove fine, but the instrument cluster was freakin' nuts, mostly off with occasional flashing icons and a random green bar. The tach and speedo would display a rational set of numbers for a few seconds and then 0 for a minute or two. Of course, about 500 yards from the dealer everything mysteriously returned to normal. The "service engine soon" icon was the only anomaly. Stopping and starting the engine produced a normal display with the service lamp lit. Of course the top would not go up likely indicating that the control system had no clue what the status of the top was. I dropped it off and the dealer gave me a loaner. Anyone else have a possessed 1'er??? Regards, Alex
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06-25-2009, 05:50 PM | #2 |
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They are beamming transmissions to the on board computer to make your car go on the fritz, so you go to the dealership and they can attempt to impose another car on you. (Hey now that youre here and your car *Is* fine why dont you take a look at this awesome new M5 we just got!
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06-25-2009, 06:53 PM | #5 |
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The top will only go up if the car is under a certain speed. If the cluster is messed up and the top module cannot determine what speed you are going then it will probably not work.
Should have taken video for the amusement of the 1addict community. |
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06-26-2009, 05:01 AM | #7 |
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As per "nordique14" I SHOULD have taken a video. I just got the new iPhone and have been so used to no video on my cell that I forgot the new version is video capable. DOH!
It would also have been useful to prove to the dealer that I wasn't a total blithering idiot. Oh well. With the service lamp lit it's likely to throw a code when they look at it this morning. BTW - after driving the 135i for 2+ months the 5 series loaner feels like a cruise ship...
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06-26-2009, 08:26 PM | #8 |
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No codes were thrown (rats). BMW NA has nothing similar in their database. I had an appointment for next week to have the alarm installed - so they did that today, so as of 5:PM it was still reprogramming.
So I dumped the 5'er loaner (too damn big) and they gave me a 335xi for the weekend. Not too bad a trade. Hopefully the reprogramming will solve whatever glitch I experienced. btw - why does it take 3-5 hours to program this car??? Thanks, Alex
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06-26-2009, 08:49 PM | #9 |
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I had the same exact issue with our 335i. There was a water leak in the sunroof and water slowly ran through the frame and into the trunk where the computer is. Fried the computer and iDrive + everything else went nuts.
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06-27-2009, 04:58 AM | #10 |
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That's 2 fellow owners that have suggested moisture in the trunk (almost sounds like a medical condition). I had not noted any, but NY has received 3X the normal rainfall for June (a new record) so it's worth a shot.
I sent the service department (where hopefully the red devil has finally finished reprogramming) a query. Thanks for all the input, Alex p.s. again - WHY does programming these beasties take so long?
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06-27-2009, 07:35 AM | #11 |
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In December it took my dealer 18 hours to reload the TCU software after replacing the unit. My car is currently getting both turbos replaced and with that will come another software reprogram. When I asked why it takes so long I was told that it is dependant upon the servers at BMW and that they never know how long a download will take.
Looks like BMW has some things to leard about computers............................and turbos. BTW, my son will be attending Marist this fall. I drive past the BMW dealer on 9N every time we head up. I have never seen a fellow 1er. I'll have to keep an eye out for you.
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06-27-2009, 09:21 AM | #12 |
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Similar thing happened to my S2000. It turned out to be a wire (somewhere) that was cut by road debris and that sent the whole display system into a tizzy. The car ran fine, but it was quite a light show. They covered it under warranty too, which I found odd since it was a road hazard, but I was thankful none the less.
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06-27-2009, 09:27 AM | #13 |
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How could there be no codes thrown if the light is still on? Something has to trigger the SES light.
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06-27-2009, 09:50 AM | #14 |
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That was also my question. Asked repetitively and to various folks at the dealer (service rep, mechanic, service manager).
Not only the service lamp was lit, but the system wouldn't raise the top, so it had to at least know what it didn't know (top status, and as was pointed out by another thread participant - speed). No adequate explanation followed, but in fairness to technicians everywhere, diagnosing a non-event (as far as the system is concerned) is a real challenge. Back in the day us shade tree mechanics could listen to an engine and visually look for clues or indirect evidence of the problem. I'm afraid those days are long gone for me. (actually since about 1972 when air pollution systems started to complicate an engine) Go figure. Alex
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06-27-2009, 10:41 AM | #15 |
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I had a similar problem after my rear bumper was replaced. Turns out they failed to replace a splash guard underneath the car and a whole bunch of electronic wizardry got wet and was shorting out. I did get a service code though so it might be something different.
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08-24-2009, 05:15 PM | #16 |
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OK, so it happened again today -- 2 months later.
This time the top was only 1/2 way up when it stuck so I was toast - undriveable. Same flashing lights and bouncing needles (although not so high). I stopped the car, restarted and still couldn't raise/lower the top. The idiot lamps were flashing, the green bar was present. I stopped the car and removed the dongle. I noticed a series of clicks followed by a buzz and the needles bouncing a bit - with the key out. Restarted - still NFG. Removed key and noted the click/buzz again. Spoke to the dealer and was ready to call BMW Assist when I noticed the click had stopped (about 25 minutes had elapsed). I started the car and the idiot lights and guages were normal / stable, except the "service engine soon" lamp was lit. I was able to raise the top. Drove to the dealer and got a loaner. But this time I also took a quick video of the console. It's uploaded to youtube at: AAARRRGGGHHH!!!
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08-24-2009, 05:32 PM | #17 |
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There's a loose connection or bad solder joint in that cluster, or in the data link to the ECU. The techs need to start swapping some parts on that, because it WILL happen again.
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08-24-2009, 06:14 PM | #18 |
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That is scary!
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08-25-2009, 08:24 AM | #19 |
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OK - the local dealership just called me. BMWNA believes my BMW portable navigation system, installed by BMW, is causing a feedback into the CAS.
From the dealer - "The CAS system also powers up the bus circuit. BMW engineering has experienced these issues on other 1 series with the add on Nav. No determination from BMWNA as to why." The portable nav system does not integrate into the bus - it only draws power. But they have advised the local dealer to rewire it into the cigarette lighter circuit. We shall see...
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08-25-2009, 12:45 PM | #21 |
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Very similar thing happened to my Coupe on Friday.
I was driving normally, when suddenly all the lights in the dash light up, the needles died and probably 300 yds later the car stopped... All the lights stayed on, I couldn't start the car again (obviously service light was on)... Remote didn't work, had to tow it to the dealership. Yesterday got a call from the SA, saying that the connector to the ECU or to the main module was loose and that they had fixed it. Got my car back today, hopefully wont happen again. will keep you posted |
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