Advice Please - 2009 BMW X3 xdrive

[Noeasyday]

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for allowing me onto this forum. Yes I'm a Newbie so please excuse my mistakes.

2009 X3 Xdrive - The vehicle drive beautifully but I have the following headaches at the moment.
- Hooter no working
- Radio only works for 20 min
- 4 x 4 Warning light on
- Handbrake light on
- Airbag light on

About 6 month ago I had the OE ring replaced (behind airbag) but without any success. Vehicle was send to a BMW dealer in South Africa (Garden Route) but they were not able to read any faults as the "faulty OE ring" was blocking them. They then wanted to replace the OE ring but cant guarantee that is the fault. I then took the vehicle to another garage and they said I need to replace the Steering Angle Sensor & Steering Column Module. But again they also cant guarantee that it will fix the fault. I have very little knowledge when it comes to vehicle mechanic's, so I have no option but to believe the mechanic. So before I pay to have the repairs done, do you think the mechanic is on the right track or do you think they are looking for the fault at the wrong place?

As I mentioned early the vehicle drives perfectly.

Please would appreciate your recommendations.

Kind Regards

 

[rudolphc83]

Hi

The problems you have mentioned may not necessarily be related to each other.

For the radio issue and hooter not working, It may be something as simple as a blown fuse. I have had the 20min radio issue on both my X5 and 320d, both times turned out to be a blown fuse. Check the fuse box.

The warning lights "trifecta" is a common issue. There is a range of possibilities that could cause the three warning lights (DSC, brake and/or ABS lights) to come on at the same time:

Most common:

- Wheel speed sensor
- Steering angle sensor
- Wheel alignment

Less common:
- ABS control unit

These are the most common issues for those warning lights to come on. HOWEVER, I have seen very bizarre causes before as well. Best would be to have the car scanned by a reputable technician to determine the problem as a trial and error mission to resolve this issue can get very expensive.

The airbag light could be a loose connection on one of your airbags. I had mine sorted by cleaning the connection to the airbag in the driver door, after a scan picked up that the airbag is "not present".

Hope this helps

 

[Noeasyday]

Hi

The problems you have mentioned may not necessarily be related to each other.

For the radio issue and hooter not working, It may be something as simple as a blown fuse. I have had the 20min radio issue on both my X5 and 320d, both times turned out to be a blown fuse. Check the fuse box.

The warning lights "trifecta" is a common issue. There is a range of possibilities that could cause the three warning lights (DSC, brake and/or ABS lights) to come on at the same time:

Most common:

- Wheel speed sensor
- Steering angle sensor
- Wheel alignment

Less common:
- ABS control unit

These are the most common issues for those warning lights to come on. HOWEVER, I have seen very bizarre causes before as well. Best would be to have the car scanned by a reputable technician to determine the problem as a trial and error mission to resolve this issue can get very expensive.

The airbag light could be a loose connection on one of your airbags. I had mine sorted by cleaning the connection to the airbag in the driver door, after a scan picked up that the airbag is "not present".

Hope this helps

Hi rudolphc83,

thank you for your response. I know very little when it comes to mechanical work on a vehicle so I truly appreciate all feedback. I had the vehicle at the BMW dealer in George and they were not able to get into the software as the "faulty OE Ring" or something like that was preventing them from picking up other faults / getting into the software. So they will first need to replace the "OE Ring" so that they can get into the system. The "OE Ring" was replaced by another garage but they were not able to get into the software so they then send the vehicle to BMW in George. BMW said they will first need to replace the "OE Ring" again as it is preventing them from getting into the software, but they also cant guarantee that it is the fault. Took it to another garage this week and they give me a quote for 10K but again they also cant guarantee anything.