Bad week with BMW

[The hairy angler]

Yesterday my windscreen washers refused to work at a most inopportune time, with winter crud plastering the screen. Checked this morning, the motor is working so after looking through this forum decided to pull the motor and check the filter.
Took the motor off....no fluid came out ....with a full washer tank.
Removed the tank and had a major surprise! All manner of crud "growing' in the tank. It reminds me of the type of algae you can get growing in a fish tank when it is not looked after.
Much flushing and scrubbing later (easier when you realise the neck of the bottle is removable ) and the bottle is now filled with a solution of sterilising solution to try to keep the nasties under control.

I cannot understand how algae can grow in a bottle filled with chlorinated water and windscreen washer fluid. Must be tough critters. And NO I did not fill bottle with swamp water!
The design of the bottle does not help however lots of ridges, impossible to clean, and with the pump right at the bottom where all the crud gathers.
Is it possible to add something to the tank to stop this "growth?"

To add insult to injury last night the dash lit up like a christmas tree,Orange lights everywhere. Tyre indicator, ABS, DSC, handbrake etc. I hope the system just threw a wobbly as I had gone through a very slippery, slushy patch. Hope it's not the expensive option.
Still the car has been reliable and summer is on the way

 

[Disca]

This reminds me that I need to clean my filter thing out at some point.

 

[mmm-five]

Mine's still fine after 120k miles, and I just use tap water and the 5L screenwash that Costco sell.

Although I normally dilute at a max of about 5:1 all year round, rather than the 20:1 they recommend.

 

[Disca]

Mine clogged up on my old 2.0 pretty soon after I brought it, so will probably check just for sanity.

 

[Squiddie]

The more lights you have go off in the dashboard the higher chance that it is all just a bad battery.

It is the single or pair warrior lights you have to fear.

 

[Bing]

Have to confess I use the BMW screen wash. Stupidly expensive compared to other brands, but it smells nice

 

[The hairy angler]

The more lights you have go off in the dashboard the higher chance that it is all just a bad battery.

It is the single or pair warrior lights you have to fear.

Hmmm, don't think this will end well Just did a short test drive....First the good news....the windscreen washers are working well in sub zero temp. Now for the bad news....DSC light yellow, ABS light yellow,RED brake warning light, Tyre pressure light yellow. I can cancel these lights by doing a tyre pressure reset but they return after 20 yds.
In conjunction with this the rev counter needle stays steady BUT the speed needle is jumping / juddering by at least 2 or 3 divisions at constant revs! Something is amiss.
I shall phone my local indie BMW specialist tomorrow. :sos:

 

[ben g]

I'm sure those lights indicate an issue with the abs system. Probably a sensor gone awol. Would make sense if it happened right after you went through a slushy patch.

 

[jan_tekin]

If you can get the codes read, will most probably be a rear wheel sensor. Could possibly try cleaning them as that can sometimes help.

 

[The hairy angler]

If you can get the codes read, will most probably be a rear wheel sensor. Could possibly try cleaning them as that can sometimes help.

Jan, the car does not feel "right" at the rear end, it is slightly twitchy as if a caliper is sticking or snatching perhaps?

 

[The hairy angler]

Update on BMW ABS / Traction control / Speedo issues.
took the car into my friendly indie garage late Wednesday evening, and picked it up this morning.. It was as jan suggested a N.S, rear wheel sensor. Total cost for diagnostics, supply and fit of sensor, labour, and reset of system £163:00 inc VAT. I thought this was a very fair price, especially as they fast tracked the work to enable me to use the car with a working speedo this weekend. They even gave the cabin a clean as it had got a little scruffy this last week due to snowy conditions.
thanks for everyone who gave me helpful advice.....

 

[jan_tekin]

Not a bad guess . Sensors over £100 from the dealer so price seems reasonable.