X5 Died Today

[StradaRedlands]

Well this was a day. Spouse texted that this showed up on the drive to work:



Unfortunately after parking it, it wouldn't restart at all. Just some attempts to turn over, but that's it. Called AAA for a tow to the indy, and they couldn't get it into neutral. I guess '10 and newer have to be done from underneath. That's not real convenient. So they dragged it on the flat bed and transported, and that's about what we know now.



Really hope it turns out to be a NBD, or a semi-BD, but not a full BD. Wish me luck in my upcoming endeavors!!!

[Cnoro]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Well this was a day. Spouse texted that this showed up on the drive to work:



Unfortunately after parking it, it wouldn't restart at all. Just some attempts to turn over, but that's it. Called AAA for a tow to the indy, and they couldn't get it into neutral. I guess '10 and newer have to be done from underneath. That's not real convenient. So they dragged it on the flat bed and transported, and that's about what we know now.



Really hope it turns out to be a NBD, or a semi-BD, but not a full BD. Wish me luck in my upcoming endeavors!!!

good luck friend

check the turbo system

[CarFan]

[Smonkbmw]

So they’re saying LCI/facelift e70s have to be put into neutral from under the car? I’d have to triple check but I’m pretty sure I still have the tool in the back and the access under the cupholder still on my 2013….

[jbash87]

Originally Posted by Smonkbmw

So they’re saying LCI/facelift e70s have to be put into neutral from under the car? I’d have to triple check but I’m pretty sure I still have the tool in the back and the access under the cupholder still on my 2013….

2012 here. I have the tool and access panel in the cupholder as well. But nothing to engage the tool into on the top of the tranny.

I've been meaning to drill a hole in the lower tranny cover to have easy access but keeps slipping my mind.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by jbash87

2012 here. I have the tool and access panel in the cupholder as well. But nothing to engage the tool into on the top of the tranny.

I've been meaning to drill a hole in the lower tranny cover to have easy access but keeps slipping my mind.

That's what we experienced. It's still there, but doesn't connect to anything.
I found this today, and can't verify it's accuracy, but maybe this could have worked: https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...98&postcount=2

No updates today, they just asked me about the OCC and charge pipe.

[StradaRedlands]

Small update... it looks like the ECU is having a problem. Won't connect to cam shaft sensor. They're thinking it can be rebuilt, and the option for a new one is out there as well. Fingers crossed that this is the right thing and not a mis-diagnosis of the problem. So falls into the semi-BD category so far!

[askjeeves]

Curious to know how you decide if it’s the ecu having an issue, or the sensor having an issue?

And data point for getting in neutral. Mine is a 2012 and requires tightening/moving upwards a hex head bolt on the driver side of the transmission pan.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by askjeeves

Curious to know how you decide if it’s the ecu having an issue, or the sensor having an issue?

And data point for getting in neutral. Mine is a 2012 and requires tightening/moving upwards a hex head bolt on the driver side of the transmission pan.

A little bit of a leap of faith that it's an accurate diagnosis for sure. But I'm telling myself they know what they're doing!!!

[Spaceme1117]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

A little bit of a leap of faith that it's an accurate diagnosis for sure. But I'm telling myself they know what they're doing!!!

Any updates on what's going on with your vehicle?

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by Spaceme1117

Any updates on what's going on with your vehicle?

Operational silence...

I called yesterday and left a message.

What could possibly go wrong???

[StradaRedlands]

Well this is embarrassing... looks like I caused the problem :-(

When I installed the oil catch can, I left the original heated vent hose plugged in, and just stuck it over to the side so it wouldn't show a fault. Apparently it grounded on a bolt and that in turn fried the ECU.

FML, what a terrible self-own on my part. The plan is to get it back tomorrow, several thousand dollars later...

/sigh

[jbash87]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Well this is embarrassing... looks like I caused the problem :-(

When I installed the oil catch can, I left the original heated vent hose plugged in, and just stuck it over to the side so it wouldn't show a fault. Apparently it grounded on a bolt and that in turn fried the ECU.

FML, what a terrible self-own on my part. The plan is to get it back tomorrow, several thousand dollars later...

/sigh

Glad you got it figured out at least!

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by jbash87

Glad you got it figured out at least!

Expensive lesson to learn... but hopefully it saves someone else from doing the same thing!

[StradaRedlands]

Sooooo, more drama on the X5 front!
Last weekend my wife & daughter were travelling to Phoenix for a volleyball tournament, when the X5 threw a reduced power warning in Blythe (half way point). They barely got off the street and over to a gas station parking lot. Long/short, it was towed to a local mechanic who said it had a lean code, but that's it. But still no power. I drove out to pick them up, and we left it with him for a few days. Honest guy, and he couldn't find anything, but obviously knew it was a problem. We rolled the dice and I drove it home mid-week and it seems totally fine. We're going to take it into a BMW indy next week, but in the meantime, I pulled these codes from it. Any thoughts/ideas what it could be? My initial thought was vapor lock as it was probably 140F on the asphalt there and they had been driving (allegedly) about 100MPH in that heat, then stopped at McDonalds, then started up. Could that have boiled off the fuel in the lines? That's my only guess as to why it's driving fine now. All the first five codes were from the single event. The 3166 code is newer, I don't know what that's about.

[DialedIn]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Sooooo, more drama on the X5 front!
Last weekend my wife & daughter were travelling to Phoenix for a volleyball tournament, when the X5 threw a reduced power warning in Blythe (half way point). They barely got off the street and over to a gas station parking lot. Long/short, it was towed to a local mechanic who said it had a lean code, but that's it. But still no power. I drove out to pick them up, and we left it with him for a few days. Honest guy, and he couldn't find anything, but obviously knew it was a problem. We rolled the dice and I drove it home mid-week and it seems totally fine. We're going to take it into a BMW indy next week, but in the meantime, I pulled these codes from it. Any thoughts/ideas what it could be? My initial thought was vapor lock as it was probably 140F on the asphalt there and they had been driving (allegedly) about 100MPH in that heat, then stopped at McDonalds, then started up. Could that have boiled off the fuel in the lines? That's my only guess as to why it's driving fine now. All the first five codes were from the single event. The 3166 code is newer, I don't know what that's about.

My friends car wouldn't start, sounded like lack of fuel. I removed the fuel cap (removing some vacuum) and then it started and everyhing was fine from then an onwards.

Your problem sounds like the opposite, too much fuel/too little air. Maybe you have a vacuum leak around the engine, or maybe the intake is dirtied and needs a clean. If the throttle bodies (DISA valves) gets too dirty the flaps might not work right.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by DialedIn

My friends car wouldn't start, sounded like lack of fuel. I removed the fuel cap (removing some vacuum) and then it started and everyhing was fine from then an onwards.

Your problem sounds like the opposite, too much fuel/too little air. Maybe you have a vacuum leak around the engine, or maybe the intake is dirtied and needs a clean. If the throttle bodies (DISA valves) gets too dirty the flaps might not work right.

It's a classic "let it sit and it's fine" scenario... literally driving at 100% since the initial problem. Taking it in Monday, just trouble-shooting here for any ideas

[Roadsterfan]

Mine died on Friday, in the heat (115°). On the way home from LA to So Nevada, cruising at 70, a/c turned off, airbag light came on, traction control light, CEL on, stereo went off, engine died and I coaster to the shoulder. It restarted, transmission not shifting correctly, made it to a semi parking lot across the off-ramp from Eddie Witkf in Yermo, CA. 150 miles from home. Called friends for a ride home to get my truck and trailer, locked car, removed valuables. Came back to find windows down, doors unlocked (due to heat?) and battery totally discharged. Dragged the car onto the trailer -couldn’t shift an electric shifter to neutral) and made it home, about 30 hours later. Disconnected battery to charge- and dash is totally black, no lights or warning lamps. But it starts. Seats move. Cants lock it or roll up windows.
Is there a main relay that controls power to everything but the ignition and starting system? It’s the only thing that works. Still on the trailer..

[Hamburger2021]

K-Bus ??

[StradaRedlands]

I took the X5 into a dedicated BMW indy for a second opinion. Basically said the same thing, that it's running fine, no codes, go ahead and drive it. A small bit of a mystery, but feeling good about it now. Maybe these delicate vehicles just can't handle the intense heat!