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Key fob dead

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flybobbie
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Key fob dead

Post by flybobbie » Tue Jan 03, 2023 5:52 pm

Local dealer doesn't stock the relays.
Relays that are fitted to nearly every model of BMW.
Must be that reliable, i will put them back in for now.

flybobbie
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Key fob dead

Post by flybobbie » Tue Jan 03, 2023 10:55 pm

Picking up new starter motor tomorrow.
Hope that cures the problem.

Time gone by without obd, key in ignition, lights on and turn, no start, which normal accompanied with clicks from the starter, which would mean duff battery.
No turn or sounds duff starter.
What is that rule, go for the simplest thing first.
Obd has it's uses but could lead you down the wrong path.

N52 engine remove the air box intake, inlet manifold and you can just push it far enough over to reach the starter and extract it.
I was surprised it was about the size of a can of beans.

Special Kay
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Key fob dead

Post by Special Kay » Wed Jan 04, 2023 12:26 am

I've just skimmed your thread, it sounds like a man's worst nightmare. Personally, I wouldn't be going down the stealers route. I'd be looking for an specialist auto electrician locally. They'd have the skills, experience and expertise to analyse and problem solve this issue.

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Smartbear
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Key fob dead

Post by Smartbear » Wed Jan 04, 2023 12:26 pm

After getting the issue with the faulty key fob reader it seems unlikely to get 2 different faults at the same time?
There must be something common to both events :?
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e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
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flybobbie
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Key fob dead

Post by flybobbie » Wed Jan 04, 2023 7:34 pm

Well replaced starter.
No joy.
But my latest thinking is there is a problem somewhere in the restraint system.
Seems if this isn't up to par, won't allow a start.
Going to trace that wiring for a problem.
Might be something as stupid as i forgot to reconnect the pax air bag switch when i removed the left panel :oops:

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Key fob dead

Post by flybobbie » Fri Jan 06, 2023 7:10 pm

Well sorted. :thumbsup:

So racking brain, on obd, no clutch switch, no foot brake.
No Terminal R voltage, all others ok.
Clutch switch and brake on diagram say terminal R signal on cas.

Is the clutch switch or brake stopping a start.
So jump in, key in, press start, ign. on.
So i have propped up piece of paper on high level brake light and see that it is on, not even pressed brake pedal. :|
Very strange. So check rear of car, all brake lights on.
So stuck brake switch? (Looks like some sort of Hall or proximity sensor, not a mechanical switch).

I check and see it is damp.
I remove it, pull out plug.
Pins damp with copper verdigris growing.

Try start with brake switch disconnected, foot on clutch, press start and fires up! :o
And fires at every start attempt. Brakes light permanently on at the moment.
So i clear all fault codes, only one's left are the headlight, awaiting the lamp hid driver for that and brake switch.
Have ordered new switch, but will try to get current one working.

So now a happy bunny.
Only taken seems like 5 weeks to sort.

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Key fob dead

Post by flybobbie » Fri Jan 06, 2023 7:24 pm

This is the problem with these solid state switches.
They operate on low currents so easily short circuited.
Proper contacts might wear out, but that is easy to test with meter or bulb and battery.
Or simply see it is broken.
They are more robust to the environment.

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B21
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Key fob dead

Post by B21 » Fri Jan 06, 2023 7:39 pm

flybobbie wrote: Fri Jan 06, 2023 7:10 pm Well sorted. :thumbsup:

So racking brain, on obd, no clutch switch, no foot brake.
No Terminal R voltage, all others ok.
Clutch switch and brake on diagram say terminal R signal on cas.

Is the clutch switch or brake stopping a start.
So jump in, key in, press start, ign. on.
So i have propped up piece of paper on high level brake light and see that it is on, not even pressed brake pedal. :|
Very strange. So check rear of car, all brake lights on.
So stuck brake switch? (Looks like some sort of Hall or proximity sensor, not a mechanical switch).

I check and see it is damp.
I remove it, pull out plug.
Pins damp with copper verdigris growing.

Try start with brake switch disconnected, foot on clutch, press start and fires up! :o
And fires at every start attempt. Brakes light permanently on at the moment.
So i clear all fault codes, only one's left are the headlight, awaiting the lamp hid driver for that and brake switch.
Have ordered new switch, but will try to get current one working.

So now a happy bunny.
Only taken seems like 5 weeks to sort.
11/10 for perseverance..I’d have torched the car by now :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :thumbsup:
We choose to go to on with this endeavour at this time and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard..

flybobbie
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Key fob dead

Post by flybobbie » Sat Jan 07, 2023 9:57 am

So question now is did the shorted brake light switch initially throw up the key slot and button "failure" and stop it working.
I won't bother trying the old slot now it's working, but there might be nothing wrong with fob reader.

I fitted new battery and case to one key. Worth doing, now has a much larger range, so the old battery was a bit tired or the fob reader was very inefficient at charging battery, just enough.

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Key fob dead

Post by Special Kay » Sat Jan 07, 2023 6:18 pm

I'm glad you've managed to rectify your issues. I had a conversation with a mechanic mate of mine, he mentioned a decent auto electrician in blackheath, shell corner. Not a million miles away from you who seems to be competent. :thumbsup:

flybobbie
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Key fob dead

Post by flybobbie » Sat Jan 07, 2023 10:17 pm

There is a good indy in Stourbridge for BMW and Merc.
.
I took to cleaning the plug for the switch with a very fine drill bit.
Looks like it's been rusting for some time, but the pins are only about 2mm apart, so doesn't take much for tracking if wet.
(Why was it wet, i don't know, can't see any leaks).
I did get smell of burning with ign. on.
At first i thought it was under the seat, because had restraint system fault come on the iDrive screen, but took it out and was all ok.

It was the brake switch and plug making the smell, having giving it a sniff.

Something else i noticed was the spotty white corrosion on the magnesium used to mount various parts, like condensation spots.

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Key fob dead

Post by flybobbie » Sun Jan 08, 2023 1:24 pm

So now the engine is running i can try the dried out HID driver unit.
Well that's working fine.

Tried the cleaned up brake switch and plug, not working. Brought back the restraint system errors and no start.
So now awaiting the new brake light switch.

(For ref. switch £35 +vat BMW, £11 Ebay).

I have a feeling i might have to visit my local breaker and get a new connector plug.

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B21
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Key fob dead

Post by B21 » Sun Jan 08, 2023 2:30 pm

flybobbie wrote: Sun Jan 08, 2023 1:24 pm So now the engine is running i can try the dried out HID driver unit.
Well that's working fine.

Tried the cleaned up brake switch and plug, not working. Brought back the restraint system errors and no start.
So now awaiting the new brake light switch.

(For ref. switch £35 +vat BMW, £11 Ebay).

I have a feeling i might have to visit my local breaker and get a new connector plug.
How come you seem to be so water logged /suffering from so much corrosion?
We choose to go to on with this endeavour at this time and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard..

flybobbie
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Key fob dead

Post by flybobbie » Sun Jan 08, 2023 3:08 pm

Don't know.
Been checking daily as car is out in the open in the rain last 3 or 4 days..
No leaks.

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Key fob dead

Post by flybobbie » Mon Jan 09, 2023 7:21 pm

So took my exchange starter back to Eurocarparts and asked if they do the brake switch. Yes 33 quid, so couldn't wait for the Ebay one, so bought.
Fitted, all fault codes cancelled, working great.
So drove about 10 feet, bong!

DSC fault and hill assist fault.

I am hoping this is because i noticed i hadn't re-attached the lamp leveler at the front right wheel after the damper change.

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