Subject: Not Battery, not ignition switch, back to the drawing board!! Author: e2djh : member since March, 2008 : 78 posts Posted on: 2009-01-14 09:25:21

Oh dear!
The battery is holding 14.5 volts, with a green dot (only really visible when the battery is removed.
I have just spent the morning changing the ignition switch.

The problem with hazards, interior light, central locking and reduced radio volume when the lights are turned on remains.

Only time will tell if the satnav will intermittently hang.

So, anyone got any more ideas on fixing, or diagnosing the problem... i am getting very frustrated with this now.

I love the car, it is my daily drive, but i have had more electrical problems with this than with my "unreliable" British built TVR sports car lol.

1997 750i UK car, Biarritz Blue, my daily driver.
Not the long wheelbase version. Fully loaded, including electric, heated rear seats, now with Mk IV Sat Nav. Bought in Feb 2008 with 74k miles.

• Calling Brian, KiwiJochen & all experts - one to baffle you? - e2djh 2009-01-11 07:30:41 (251 views)
  • Did you ever figured out this issue? - rex120 2009-04-10 03:30:22 (59 views)
  • Not Battery, not ignition switch, back to the drawing board!! - e2djh 2009-01-14 09:25:21 (155 views)
    • 14.5V does not sound right... (url) - Brian 2009-01-14 11:22:30 (164 views)
      • ooops - results - e2djh 2009-01-14 11:38:02 (139 views)
        • That is very strange... I just repeated your test on my car with similar results (url) - Brian 2009-01-14 12:53:05 (150 views)
          • Battery Swap - e2djh 2009-01-14 14:52:05 (114 views)
            • Your wife's E39 battery is a 100% compatible perfect swap... - Brian 2009-01-14 16:46:24 (122 views)
              • The battery is fine is there a test for LKM or GM? - e2djh 2009-01-16 15:27:57 (125 views)
                • Dealer or somebody with a DIS can test the modules directly. (nt) - bmw635 2009-01-18 00:24:44 (114 views)
                  • Thanks. Is DIS software available to download, or is a dealer needed? (nt) - e2djh 2009-01-18 05:06:11 (113 views)
                    • Check on BMWECU.org. (nt) - bmw635 2009-01-20 00:26:21 (109 views)
              • I'll give that a try - e2djh 2009-01-14 17:01:43 (117 views)
          • Rr: That is very strange... I just repeated your test on my car with similar results (nt) - e2djh 2009-01-14 13:29:41 (108 views)
      • sussed it - test 9. results (nt) - e2djh 2009-01-14 11:30:53 (122 views)
      • am in car now, no test 39, only goes up to 21 (nt) - e2djh 2009-01-14 11:28:36 (107 views)
  • Igntion switch is faulty (url) - kiwijochen 2009-01-12 14:55:54 (161 views)
    • Battery, KLR relay or ignition switch would be my best guess (nt) - Martin 2009-01-15 18:54:52 (107 views)
    • Igntion switch has now been replaced - didn't do the job - e2djh 2009-01-14 16:17:34 (126 views)
    • Re: Igntion switch is faulty - e2djh 2009-01-12 15:00:56 (125 views)
      • NavCoder *might* show corrupt messages - kiwijochen 2009-01-12 16:30:32 (135 views)
        • Will do, i will be ordering it tomorrow. - e2djh 2009-01-12 16:32:40 (118 views)
          • Look for the black dot on the battery... - Brian 2009-01-13 11:16:25 (106 views)
            • Battery is dated 2006... but black dot (nt) - e2djh 2009-01-13 11:26:15 (109 views)
              • If you have a black dot, the battery is undercharged - Brian 2009-01-13 11:44:57 (116 views)
                • Thats interesting Brian, I saw that written on the battery, but - e2djh 2009-01-13 12:47:14 (115 views)
                  • You have to look at it straight down from the top... - Brian 2009-01-13 13:22:15 (124 views)
                    • Thanks, had to take it out, but its ok - see above (nt) - e2djh 2009-01-14 11:22:18 (104 views)
  • Here are a few thoughts... - Brian 2009-01-12 08:37:44 (149 views)
    • You were right about the radio Brian - e2djh 2009-01-25 06:00:56 (107 views)
      • Wow, it is great to see progress... - Brian 2009-01-25 08:32:04 (110 views)
        • Yes, progress is slow ... - e2djh 2009-01-25 08:49:13 (114 views)
          • I agree: E38 radio R&R is a beast - Brian 2009-01-25 16:01:31 (106 views)
            • 'new' map DVD on its way + new info on lights - e2djh 2009-01-25 16:43:11 (100 views)
    • Very helpful input Brian thanks, some feedback: - e2djh 2009-01-12 14:56:30 (123 views)
      • Are you anywhere near Glasgow? (nt) - ksmith38a 2009-01-17 13:45:17 (113 views)
        • No, i'm in Berkshire, why do you ask? (nt) - e2djh 2009-01-17 16:49:58 (106 views)
          • Thought if you were closer I may have been able to help (nt) - ksmith38a 2009-01-18 05:09:33 (111 views)
            • That's kind of you, thank you. Its a bit of a long haul to Glasgow :-) (nt) - e2djh 2009-01-18 06:53:39 (105 views)
  • Anyone? Help required please! (nt) - e2djh 2009-01-12 02:07:51 (127 views)
    • Going back a few steps - ksmith38a 2009-01-18 10:55:17 (106 views)
      • Mostly, yes - e2djh 2009-01-18 11:12:22 (92 views)
        • Re: Mostly, yes - ksmith38a 2009-01-18 11:20:09 (109 views)
          • One was totally shot. - e2djh 2009-01-18 12:01:48 (92 views)
            • My thoughts, swap them one at a time and see what happens - ksmith38a 2009-01-18 12:25:13 (113 views)
              • That's what i thought - e2djh 2009-01-18 15:58:49 (100 views)