E70 X5 35i Active steering malfunction.

[Serf27]

A year ago I got random active steering errors for about 2 days. The error went away and came back yesterday.
Steering is heavy, steering wheel is offset to the left a little bit, the car actually feels a bit sluggish(sluggish car may be my mind playing games on me).

I am getting error code 6134 - Servomotor - Motor Current.

I have reset the steering angle sensor via protools, operation successful- Error persists.
I have turned the wheel lock to lock, does not do anything.
I have tried to reset active steering via protools, it says cannot complete.

I have looked at the live Data and this is what it shows.

Status, Eco valve, OK
Current, Eco valve, 416.296 MA
Status, Servotronic valve, OK.
Current, Servoitronic Valve, 0 MA
Control module internal temperature, 87 °F
Voltage supply, internal (5 volts), 5.008V
Voltage, Terminal 30, 14.9V.


Servotronic status reads ok, but also ready 0 MA.
Terminal 30 voltage reading 14.9V leads me to believe the alternator is properly charging.
I have been getting long cranks recently.

What else should I look at?

Thank you.

[Serf27]

I now have an array of codes.
DSC malfunction.
No communication with DSC.
Cruise control no communication with LDM.
A longer than usual crank today too.

I took the battery to get tested. They immediately said the machine read it as a good battery.
Rated for 900 CCA and came back at 881 CCA and 12.5 volts.
I have no errors for the alternator.
I suspect it may still be a bad battery…?

[robinasu]

Maybe there is some corrosion/network issue on the PT-CAN network? Seems like multiple modules are having a hard time communicating. Just a guess.

[Serf27]

Originally Posted by robinasu

Maybe there is some corrosion/network issue on the PT-CAN network? Seems like multiple modules are having a hard time communicating. Just a guess.

How would I go about checking that?

[robinasu]

Originally Posted by Serf27

How would I go about checking that?

Check all your fuses first. An oscilloscope would be the fastest way.

[Serf27]

Originally Posted by robinasu

Check all your fuses first. An oscilloscope would be the fastest way.

I’ll check the fuses tomorrow.
Thank you.

[Serf27]

I checked the fuses and only found 1 bad one.
It was a fuse for the headlight washers…

I left the angel eyes on to drain the battery to get it tested again. The battery lost .8v in 6 hours with no warnings.
With the ignition on and checking fuses, I got a battery discharge warning, twice.

All fuses related to active steering and DSC are good and receiving ~14V at idle.
The battery was at ~15.V at idle.

[robinasu]

I forget, do you have ISTA+? It has a function to track down modules that are pulling a lot of power when parked.

[Serf27]

Originally Posted by robinasu

I forget, do you have ISTA+? It has a function to track down modules that are pulling a lot of power when parked.

No, I do not.
I tried to used the programs on laptops years ago but I was unsuccessful.
That function sounds great.
I have been using bimmergeeks protools app.
I wonder if the app can do that. I will try tomorrow.

It’s odd this all happened. My wife uses the car each day.
Besides some long cranks, it was running fine.

Here is each exact code.

ACTIVE FRONT STEERING
614A- motor position angel: not initialized
6147- Control unit cannot change to active mode, undervoltage
6134- Servomotor, motor current
6DEC- Active steering, interface
6EC4- steering-angle sensor, adjustment

CRUISE CONTROL
D156- Signal (vehicle data SF-CAN 3, 0x704) invalid, transmitter LDM.

LONGITUDE DYNAMICS
63DD- Interface DSC
62D7- Interface DSC
63D0- Interface DSC

SURROUND VIEW CAMERA (maybe irrelevant)
CAA0- Message faulty (Steering angel, DxC4), all around vision camera receiver, DSC transmitter.

Maybe something with the DSC or LDM module?

[robinasu]

I don't know. You could try running through the active steering setup procedure if your interface can do it. Is the battery old? These cars can be sensitive to that, but it's pure conjecture without more information.

[Serf27]

Active steering procedure?
I have done the steering angle calibration.
When I try to reset the active steering, the app says “cannot complete.
The battery is 2 years old, 1 year of warranty left.
I got it at Walmart, and when I took it, they said it was good because it had a full charge. I’m going to try draining the battery tomorrow and take it back for another test.
I’ll also swap the battery from my e90 to see if the x5 goes back to normal.

What other information could I gather?

[robinasu]

I think you need a more effective tester. I would get ISTA+. Once you get it up and running it will save you thousands and take the guess work out of most everything.

[Serf27]

A friend has it. I’m going to go to him to use it.
What should I look for or do while it is connected?

I took the battery to Autozone to get tested.
They charged it to 100% and it measured 12.6v.
That did not solve anything.

Some errors will clear with the key on, engine off, some will not clear.

Here is some live data from the modules with issues. Maybe it will help.

Live data from AFS(active steering)
Status, DSC - Faulty
Status, DSC control - No control
Status, Driver steering angle - OK
Voltage, Terminal 30 - 14.6v

DSC live data
Steering angle direct from wheel sensor, -7.691°
Signal does fluctuate when turning the wheel.
All wheel speed sensors read 0mls (car was parked)
(No option for terminal 30 voltage on DSC, a lot of other modules had it.)

LDM (longitude dynamics) only 3 live data options.
Cruise control comin stalk - OK
Reception message - N/A
ACC rocker switch for distance - OK

Camera system
Everything check out.

Surround view camera
Everything checks out.

I’m going to physically look at the wires going to the service motor, if I can find them.
Servotronic valve still at 0MA, but terminal 30 has 30v for the AFS and internal voltage is 5V.
Will also be checking it with Ista.

[robinasu]

If the steering angle is not changing when you turn the wheel, might want to start there. Does your tester reset the steering angle? Sorry if you mentioned this already. I would try that. If that doesn't work, use ISTA+ to run through guided fault finding. If nothing there, I would try to factory code the DSC.

With ISTA+ there are separate tests for the steering and DSC operation. You should be able to narrow it down. Some of the errors you see are probably cascading errors. Seems like the steering angle is being weird. ISTA+ also has the active steering startup procedure that might be worth a try. Hopefully it's just a glitch. Hard to say though without ISTA+.

[Serf27]

The steering angle does change when I turn the wheel.

I have done the steering angle reset/calibration already. = OPERATION SUCCESSFUL.

When I try reset the active steering = CANNOT COMPLETE.

I have factory coded DSC and AFS modules.
It did not do anything.

Steering angle being weird?
Live data shows status - OK and angle degree does change when I move the wheel. Did I miss something?


Looking at the live data from modules and their codes, I agree with you, 1 error is bringing down a lot of other modules.

It seems the DSC is not communicating with the AFS, so active steering is not working.
(Does not explain why the Servo motor has reads 0 power/0MA, yet Servo valve status is OK.)

DSC is not communicating with the LDM (longitude dynamics module), so it is is affecting the cruise control and my back up camera. Back camera no longer has the parking side lines.

That’s just what I think from looking at the codes/data. I could be wrong, if something looks off, please let me know.

I will check with Ista, hopefully today and run those tests in the DSC and AFS modules.
Thanks.

[Serf27]

I contacted bimmergeeks and they looked at my car using ISTA, remotely.

I AM STILL STUCK.
I’ll attach the screenshots of ISTA.

First procedure: check ground at ground point X165.
Ground checked with volt meter=Ground point is fine.

Second procedure: Check voltage supply at connector X11003.
I pulled the X11003 Connector and the color of the wires don’t match all colors in the wiring diagram. And it’s a little confusing.

I have these color wires
BLACK
BROWN
RED w/ GREEN STRIPE
BLACK w/ BROWN STRIPE.

I tested those for power, none of the 4 wires have power. I put the ground lead on the bolt for the door that is metal, it should be sufficient ground to get a reading.

I then measured for voltage at that connector between its own wires. 2 wires showed like 1.5V when both test leads were on the connector.

What do I do now? There’s no other procedures and I don’t know where those wires on X11003 go.

[robinasu]

X11003 seems to be the connector that plugs into the fuse box. If you measured with X11003 out of the socket, there would be no power there on pin4. I recommend buying some "back probe" leads if you have not. They are skinny leads that you can insert into the back of the connector while it's connected to sense while the circuits are connected. Really all you are checking at pin4 is a blown fuse. I did not read above - did you check the fuse?

There doesn't seem to be a relay on that 40A circuit. If the fuse is fine, I would think a wiring issue is unlikely. ISTA+ is just trying to confirm the module is working, then waking up.

I assume the ISTA+ screen shots are from the bimmergeek remote session? If yes, you need to get ISTA+ if you want to fix this yourself. The bimmergeek cable is good. I have used it to program modules and code. Get ISTA+ and then check the AFS module sensor readouts from the rack and check the ECU status. I would also check the DSC parameters. If the two angle sensors in the steering column are messed up, you could also have issues.

Live data from AFS(active steering)
Status, DSC - Faulty
Status, DSC control - No control
Status, Driver steering angle - OK
Voltage, Terminal 30 - 14.6v

Seems like the "driver steering angle" is the angle sensor in the rack since this is an AFS readout. Hope so; big job to swap out the steering rack. It's also complaining about the DSC.

DSC live data
Steering angle direct from wheel sensor, -7.691°
Signal does fluctuate when turning the wheel.

If the wheel sensor is the sensor in the steering column (I think it is based on this), then it should for sure change when the wheel is turned.

Since the AFS is complaining about the DSC and the DSC live data indicates the steering wheel sensor is not working, I would start with the DSC. There are two steering wheel sensors in the column. One is a slip ring and the other is an optical encoder. The encoder is in the housing that includes the control stalks and it's called the SZL. The SZL is a slave to the DSC and the SZL is detected/configured in the DSC when the DSC is coded.

Have you tried setting the steering wheel sensor? I forget. The SZL can die. Also, if dust gets in there that can mess it up. If you had to replace the SZL it's not so bad but you MUST disconnect the battery before you disconnect the airbag.

Try to reset the steering wheel sensor and see what happens. Sorry if you did that. I'm busy.

The headline here is to get ISTA+ and a cable. You probably need it if you want to DIY this and the steering wheel sensor reset doesn't work. After you reset the wheel sensor, you might need to calibrate the DSC, too. I would do both.

[Serf27]

I did measure voltage at connector X11003 with the connector plugged in the fuse box, the readings were good.
I measured for continuity in the fuse as well and it was fine.
The only thing I did not try, was a new fuse.

In all the years that I’ve worked on cars, there’s only been 1 time (I think) where a fuse had continuity and was bad, a new fuse fixed whatever issue I was dealing with. I doubt that’s the case here, but I’ll I try a new fresh fuse.

I have the bimmergeeks cable. It’s lasted 3 years now, longer than any phone charger I’ve had!

I am really hoping the rack is not an issue. It will be a tough choice if it is, it’s a big job that I would rather not do.

The steering angle listed at -7.691 DID change whenever I would turn the steering wheel, so that’s a good sign….?

The big issue I see is the “current, Servotronic valve, 0MA.”

The szl or slip ring would be easy, but I have active a cruise control and I think I would need a unit from another active cruise control car, which might be hard to find.

I have reset the steering angle sensor via protools, operation successful- Error persists.
I have turned the wheel lock to lock, does not do anything.
I have tried to reset active steering via protools, it says cannot complete.
I recently read that the wheel turning lock to lock must be done a few times, I’ve only turned the wheel once. I’ll try lock to lock a few times in a row.

I have also recalibrated them DSC, no changes once the calibration is complete.

I found someone on Facebook that is helping me download ISTA tomorrow. I downloaded ISTA, I just need help installing it now.

Would a bad power steering pump cause any of these issues?
Thanks.

[Serf27]

A few days ago, I read the steering wheel had to be turned side to side a few times to reset the system.
The guy installing ISTA also said this.
That it resets the the system completely and gets air out of the system.
I had only read about turning the wheel, but never read anything about Turing it multiple times. I figured I’ll try this after ISTA.

I finally got ISTA installed, thanks to him.
Such a great system!!

I hooked ISTA UP today and turned the wheel side to side a few times.
All the way right, all the way left, half way back to the right when I feel the steering wheel soften up and the dash lights disappear.

UNBELIEVABLE!! I am still in shock, a little bit.
According to him, and it makes sense, there must have been air in the system.
I cleared the codes with ISTA and they haven’t came back up.

The car sat for almost 2 months because I only turned the steering wheel ONCE at the beginning. I did not know it had to be done multiple times.


But now, my steering wheel is offset to the right.
Prior to any issues, it was straight.
With all the errors I had, it was offset to the left.
Now there is NO errors and it’s offset a tiny bit to the right.

Is there still a fault in the system even though ISTA does NOT show any errors?

Or is it an alignment issue now?


Side note: I now have a whining noise from the engine bay for the first 10 seconds of starts up and whenever I rev the engine.

[evilchargerfan]

after replacing my 12v batt, I ran into very similar error codes are youre experiencing. I had to do that turn wheel all the way, lock to lock trick. I too was in shock that it fixed my issue

I was lucky to google a quick fix from someones very informative forum post

[Serf27]

This issue just came out of no where.
And the post I saw about turning the wheel lock to lock said just that, turn it lock to lock. I didn’t see anything about needing to do it multiple times.
Sure enough, on the second try, all lights when away. The ISTA installer said air was possibly trapped in the power steering fluid system.

Odd that my steering rack wasn’t getting any power(MA), and after the ‘air was released’, it started getting power.

I think the whining noise is coming from the oil filter, I’m going to change the oil and start using it again and check if the steering wheel centers itself.

[Serf27]

It’s back. It’s random, as in the light will turn on sometimes and other times it won’t.

Doing the side to side calibration sometimes works.
The wheel resets itself when the car turns on but the light will turn on right away or turn on as I start to move and be way off center.

DSC interface codes sometimes accompany it.