Z4M Warning lights? anyone know what this is?

[Clint@MMS AUTO]

HI Gents,

Please can you advise me on the following warning lights:

I drove the car this morning after 4 days, did everything as per normal (start, let it idle, warm up then start driving slowly until car reaches operating temps) i was also cruising along and then hit some bumper to bumper traffic, while sitting in the traffic, Every time i moved the car (1st gear only) a few meters and the RPM hits around 3000, these warning lights came on... They go off almost immediately afterwards but when you hit 3000 again they quickly display again and then go off...

It did this about 6 times, and then after i passed the traffic congested areas, it was driving fine again with no warning lights.... I'll have to monitor it going home to see if it happens again.

Could this be something loose? or not properly making contact?

anybody here experience this before?

Thanks in advance :=):

 

[waylander42]

If you connect an OBD2 device does the computer have any registered faults?

That is very weird though...

 

[Clint@MMS AUTO]

If you connect an OBD2 device does the computer have any registered faults?

That is very weird though...

Will have to check when i get home later as i dont have the OBD dongle with me...

It is weird... I'm thinking something related to battery or low voltage... But will have to check.

 

[Fordkoppie]

I think this might be alternator related
Either a loose connection, or the regulator is on its way out.

Test the voltage. If there is a suddent spike in the voltage, or drop when it reaches 3k rpm, you will know for sure

 

[Clint@MMS AUTO]

I think this might be alternator related
Either a loose connection, or the regulator is on its way out.

Test the voltage. If there is a sudden spike in the voltage, or drop when it reaches 3k rpm, you will know for sure

yes thanks Fordkoppie, it could be the regulator. after doing some web searching, i also came across a thread whereby they had the same issues and it was alternator/regulator related.

https://www.bmwcca.org/forum/index.php?threads/abs-dsc-brake-warning-lights-flash.13816/

 

[Lagwagon]

HI Gents,

Please can you advise me on the following warning lights:

I drove the car this morning after 4 days, did everything as per normal (start, let it idle, warm up then start driving slowly until car reaches operating temps) i was also cruising along and then hit some bumper to bumper traffic, while sitting in the traffic, Every time i moved the car (1st gear only) a few meters and the RPM hits around 3000, these warning lights came on... They go off almost immediately afterwards but when you hit 3000 again they quickly display again and then go off...

It did this about 6 times, and then after i passed the traffic congested areas, it was driving fine again with no warning lights.... I'll have to monitor it going home to see if it happens again.

Could this be something loose? or not properly making contact?

anybody here experience this before?

Thanks in advance :=):

I think the car is fooked...I'll give you R50k for it. :roflol: Suspect it's the battery...recall my father's car doing it and in the end they diagnosed a battery that was on it's way out. He didn't drive it much. He replaced the battery and all was good again. I recall him asking me to look for a battery conditioner as the car stood for a couple of months at a time. Hope it's the same for you...

 

[PLV]

Hi guys,

Just my quick 5c on this thread. I suffered the exact same problem.

1. Took her to BMW. BMW said alternator was stuffed. And quoted R12,922.27 ex VAT and ex labour for a new alternator.
2. Phoned around and found several auto electricians that said they could refurb for R2-3k.
3. Ended up going to a 'recommended' auto elec of those contacted.
4. Auto elec refurbished the alternator for R2.5k.
5. Car still suffered the warning light issue.
6. Did lots of Googling, forum searches, etc.
7. Seeing as the battery was the original from new - and auto elec said that it may be because of problems with the battery - had the battery tested.
8. Battery was low on charge, but still 'healthy' according to battery centre and Lombards.
9. Decided to buy a new battery anyway. (R1.6k)
10. For a breakfast run the day after, I had no issues - so thought problem was solved!
11. Next day the warning lights were back....
12. Did lots of more googling and forum searches again...
13. Decided it was the regulator.
14. Tried to convince the auto electrician that it was the regulator.
15. He then tried to replace the regulator with a number of locally available options (as it was under warranty ) to no avail. Finally to find out that what was needed was a specific brand/part i.e Valeo!
16. Ordered the Valeo from eBay in the US (+/- R1.2k including expedited delivery)
17. Part arrived last week and was installed Saturday morning.
18. No more warning lights!

In summary, there appear to be 2 main types of alternators in our cars. The Bosch version and the Valeo version. It is important to understand which version - which determines which regulator to get.

According to the forums, some guys are lucky and the problem is just the battery, or a loose battery connection (either the battery connection or the little battery connector next to the battery). Others are the alternator and/or regulator.

Just thought I would share - in case any of you find this useful...

Regards,

Pete

 

[MikeR]

:coolShake: glad you got sorted eventually - pity it was an expensive option.

and BMW would have replaced just that and charged you R12g's. :YesNo:

You should update the youtube vid and post it for other guys as the repair option :coolShake:

 

[Andy1GP]

It's simple. Check your battery terminals. Exact thing happened on my car after it came back from the dealer. One of the terminals were loose.

 

[Lostboy]

It's simple. Check your battery terminals. Exact thing happened on my car after it came back from the dealer. One of the terminals were loose.

:withStu: indeed had the same issue, the ( + ) battery terminal was loose.