'03 Z4 3.0 SMG electronics gone wonky!!

[Philip Foglar]

Hi guys,

My father in law bought a 2003 model Z4 3.0 with the SMG gearbox a few months ago. If I remember correctly it has around 50k km on the clock and otherwise is in immaculate condition, but... something has gone wrong with the electronics and the car has been out of action for almost a week now. Coincidence or not it started to misbehave after he had washed the car. The instrument cluster isn't working correctly as in some of the lights don't come on, can't operate the top, alarm won't stay set, or goes off. Radio doesn't work. Only got to speak to him briefly so not sure what else is happening, but I gather he has taken it somewhere to have the computer tested etc.

What could this be? I seem to remember reading somewhere that these modern cars have a lot more sensitivity to battery condition and malfunctions can occur if the battery isn't in good condition. However the battery in his case is 100% fine, so where else could the problem be?

Philip

 

[freerider]

who washed teh car, and was the engine bay washed by any chance?

 

[Philip Foglar]

My father in law always washes his own cars and is very careful generally about water not getting in where it shouldn't. I will have to find out more, but I doubt that he washed the engine. And from what he was telling me, the washing the car and the start of these malfunctions is more a coincidence than anything else. He also said that between himself and the people who troubling shooting the car they suspect a faulty ground or earthing. If they can't locate the problem of course next stop is going to be the agents in Durbanville...

 

[Zee four]

Your right it could be the battery, take it for a check thats easy I own a L/rover Disco 3 and trust me they don't like old batteries maybe the Z4 s the same!

Regards
Ray

 

[Philip Foglar]

Wow, forgot about this thread! The problem was eventually traced to be a faulty IC somewhere in the car's electronics which controls the cluster and lights etc. Was a relatively cheap item to replace, but the time and labour as well as running diagnostics a number of times - worked out to a bit over R12k to sort this out!! :nonono:

 

[Zee four]

Sugar! 12k,that sounds expensive, did the stealer do it

 

[Philip Foglar]

Well, the car went to the agents, they couldn't figure it out, was then sent to a specialist who was also somewhat baffled - then I found something on the internet showing the typical symptoms and how the car's central computer would relate to these. Can't remember the details, but from the symptoms it was a specific circuit or system that was failing. The specialist concentrated on this and sure enough found the faulty component. At the end of the day, it was a relatively cheap item to replace, but the costs involved in diagnosing and the time spent is why it cost as much!

Sugar! 12k,that sounds expensive, did the stealer do it

"Sugar!" - two please in my coffee?! :rollsmile: