Tim's E85 3.0i in Sterling Grey

[T_J_G]

Newbie to the forum. I've picked up a 2003 Z4 3.0i in Sterling Grey, it's got a couple of issues that I need to sort:

Central locking - will not unlock off key, but will lock using the key. This applies to both drivers and passenger side doors, boot operates fine. Same issue when using the central locking button inside the car. Is it unlikely to be the door actuator due to being both sides? Is this the dreaded GM5 fault?

Coolant light coming on after 10 mins of driving, coolant level is fine. It has had a recent coolant reservoir (before my ownership) and has literally just returned from a new water pump and thermostat and fresh coolant. The light was doing the same before the new reservoir. I've got a coolant level sensor coming - is it likely to be this?

Thanks in advance if you can help.

Edited this thread to keep a log of all the changes

 

[Jas- USA]

1st GM5 If you're in the UK, you have venders who repair this and if you're in the USA/Canada there is a fellow in LA. area who repairs this.

2nd Try changing out the sensor 1st.

 

[buzyg]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[enuff_zed]

Welcome aboard,
Definitely sounds like a GM5 issue for the locking.
Yes you can send them off to be repaired. Not too difficult to get at either. However, there is one version called a 'Star 12' which can be more of an issue as not many places will work on them. So ideally you need it out first to check what it is.

Very surprised if the old sensor was put back in the new tank, but yes it's possible, so definitely change that first.

Whereabouts are you?
If these aren't things you fancy doing yourself there may be someone nearby who could help.

 

[T_J_G]

1st GM5 If you're in the UK, you have venders who repair this and if you're in the USA/Canada there is a fellow in LA. area who repairs this.

2nd Try changing out the sensor 1st.

Based in the UK - there's a guy on eBay that repairs them, I'll try and find someone more local though.

Welcome to the forum.

Thank you!

New owner with issuesQuote enuff_zed
by enuff_zed »

Welcome aboard,
Definitely sounds like a GM5 issue for the locking.
Yes you can send them off to be repaired. Not too difficult to get at either. However, there is one version called a 'Star 12' which can be more of an issue as not many places will work on them. So ideally you need it out first to check what it is.

Very surprised if the old sensor was put back in the new tank, but yes it's possible, so definitely change that first.

Whereabouts are you?
If these aren't things you fancy doing yourself there may be someone nearby who could help.

I'm based in Kent, I'm quite happy to do some stuff by myself - although I'm used to taking VW's apart. I haven't had a "DIY" car in a good few years. I've seen the invoice and it's just invoiced as the tank so they may well have done. The car used to belong to my Father in law so I know it's history from 6 months from new. The new sensor looks like an easy fit.

 

[enuff_zed]

1st GM5 If you're in the UK, you have venders who repair this and if you're in the USA/Canada there is a fellow in LA. area who repairs this.

2nd Try changing out the sensor 1st.

Based in the UK - there's a guy on eBay that repairs them, I'll try and find someone more local though.

Welcome to the forum.

Thank you!

New owner with issuesQuote enuff_zed
by enuff_zed »

Welcome aboard,
Definitely sounds like a GM5 issue for the locking.
Yes you can send them off to be repaired. Not too difficult to get at either. However, there is one version called a 'Star 12' which can be more of an issue as not many places will work on them. So ideally you need it out first to check what it is.

Very surprised if the old sensor was put back in the new tank, but yes it's possible, so definitely change that first.

Whereabouts are you?
If these aren't things you fancy doing yourself there may be someone nearby who could help.

I'm based in Kent, I'm quite happy to do some stuff by myself - although I'm used to taking VW's apart. I haven't had a "DIY" car in a good few years. I've seen the invoice and it's just invoiced as the tank so they may well have done. The car used to belong to my Father in law so I know it's history from 6 months from new. The new sensor looks like an easy fit.

Yup, sensor is dead easy to swap.
The GM5 is up behind the glove-box in the left corner. On a bracket. Drop it down first as the plugs are a fiddly design to remove and easiest to see what you're doing.
There's a bloke in Harrogate who advertises for GM5 repairs on Ebay. Someone on here got his done the other day I think and back in the car within about three days!

 

[enuff_zed]

Here you go.
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1968293&hilit=gm5#p1968293
Check out the last post by Sludgepump

 

[T_J_G]

Here you go.
viewtopic.php?p=1968293&hilit=gm5#p1968293
Check out the last post by Sludgepump

Thank you, I'd already read that - I've been lurking a while.....

 

[Mr Tidy]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Nice to know your car's history too, but we'd love to see a photo or two of it!

 

[MikeyH]

Hi, welcome to the forum, as others have said we like photos to look at. Yes we are simple folk here.

 

[T_J_G]

First week of proper ownership, so it was due a wash and wax.

Few jobs to sort as above along with a new battery, I’ll also get the wheels refurbed in the future!

 

[MikeyH]

Looking good

 

[abar121]

Nice car!

 

[Mr Tidy]

That's a smart looking Z4.

 

[T_J_G]

Thanks all, GM5 unit whipped out and sent off for repair, a new battery didn't help. Hopefully it doesn't get caught up in the Royal Mail delays. I'm still waiting for that coolant sensor I ordered over a week ago.

 

[T_J_G]

I've updated the title of this thread so I'll keep a log of what I'm up to on here, rather than multiple posts.

So, so far:
-A good thorough clean
-New coolant bottle, water pump and thermostat a week before I collected.
-GM5 Module sent off for repair
-Coolant Level Sensor on order
-New Air filter on order
-New pollen/cabin filter installed, it was well over due looking at the state of the old one
- Ordered some leather paint to refurb drivers seat.
-Sound generator mod done - not sure if I like it, so I may put it back

Hopefully once all the niggles are sorted I can start looking at wheel refurb options and tyre replacements to get it off run flats.

 

[T_J_G]

GM5 finally arrived back, cracking service through Melvyn (AutoElectron) on eBay. He received it, repaired and sent all the same day.

Everything now works as it should with the central locking and I had the roof coded so it comes down when holding the unlock key.

Next up:
Rebuild DISA valve
Fit coolant level sensor that has finally arrived.

 

[jock156]

Re. the coolant light, I had similar issues and changing the sensor didn’t help!

Take out the expansion tank and give it a shake. If you can’t hear it rattle then the float inside the tank is stuck. There is no access to it so you’ll have to buy a new one. Pop the new one back on top up your coolant and job jobbed!

 

[T_J_G]

Re. the coolant light, I had similar issues and changing the sensor didn’t help!

Take out the expansion tank and give it a shake. If you can’t hear it rattle then the float inside the tank is stuck. There is no access to it so you’ll have to buy a new one. Pop the new one back on top up your coolant and job jobbed!

It’s had a new tank before I bought it so it may well be but I’d rather rule out a £7 sensor first before delving that deep.

 

[enuff_zed]

Re. the coolant light, I had similar issues and changing the sensor didn’t help!

Take out the expansion tank and give it a shake. If you can’t hear it rattle then the float inside the tank is stuck. There is no access to it so you’ll have to buy a new one. Pop the new one back on top up your coolant and job jobbed!

It’s had a new tank before I bought it so it may well be but I’d rather rule out a £7 sensor first before delving that deep.

Jock and I discovered this trick when we changed his.
Be sure to hold the top float firmly though while you shake it or that will rattle and confuse you.