Hi,
I am currently trying to resuscitate my daughter's E85 Z4. She bought it last year from what turned out to be a less than reputable dealer and subsequently spent a lot rectifying front suspension issues. And then getting a scrape resprayed. I must add that I did not go with her to view the car -- which I have regretted ever since!
Then after the violent steering shakes were rectified, it was plagued by starting issues, which we have identified as down to main ECU which does not like the cold. And was helped partially by replacing the old, too small, battery.
HOWEVER the main issue is now the airbag warning light that does not go out. Perhaps this did go off when she bought it, but has been an issue for months now. And the MOT must be renewed in May!
My local garage has investigated and there is no communication or error codes with any diagnostic scanner with any of the airbag modules.
They have stripped out the central console and removed the main airbag module. Part number *316938264019*. See pic attached. Someone has been 'at it' before, as the main insulation on the wiring going to it has been stripped back, perhaps someone was looking for a broken wire? But all wires are OK.
The garage's usual ECU company does not have a setup to enable them to connect to this. But if you open it, there is what looks like a burnt sweet on the circuit board! So I'm not holding up much hope of resurrecting it.
We need to decide what to do next. Currently I cannot locate a second had spare to match. Nor can I locate a BMW 'independent' locally who will take on the job. A lot of ex BMW guys of that era seem to have retired!
Any likely garage in Norwich that my daughter has approached has quoted £1000 without doing any diagnosis, so I am wary of blindly consigning the car there.
Also wary of spending £1000 on a brand new part then to find that at best, we need specialist help to code it to the car or at worst discover that it still does not communicate with scanners/main ECU
Currently the car has 66,000 miles and I suppose on a good day could be worth £4,500. My daughter has since buying it spent £6,500 all in (including cost of the car). My garage guy describes the condition as 'straight'. But without an MOT it would be worth not much at all.
Can anyone recommend someone who has the skills with the old cranky BMW electronics who could possibly help sort this out? We would travel 2+ hours to take the car to anyone who was good/recommended. So they need not be in Norfolk.
Thanks in advance.
Nic
I am currently trying to resuscitate my daughter's E85 Z4. She bought it last year from what turned out to be a less than reputable dealer and subsequently spent a lot rectifying front suspension issues. And then getting a scrape resprayed. I must add that I did not go with her to view the car -- which I have regretted ever since!
Then after the violent steering shakes were rectified, it was plagued by starting issues, which we have identified as down to main ECU which does not like the cold. And was helped partially by replacing the old, too small, battery.
HOWEVER the main issue is now the airbag warning light that does not go out. Perhaps this did go off when she bought it, but has been an issue for months now. And the MOT must be renewed in May!
My local garage has investigated and there is no communication or error codes with any diagnostic scanner with any of the airbag modules.
They have stripped out the central console and removed the main airbag module. Part number *316938264019*. See pic attached. Someone has been 'at it' before, as the main insulation on the wiring going to it has been stripped back, perhaps someone was looking for a broken wire? But all wires are OK.
The garage's usual ECU company does not have a setup to enable them to connect to this. But if you open it, there is what looks like a burnt sweet on the circuit board! So I'm not holding up much hope of resurrecting it.
We need to decide what to do next. Currently I cannot locate a second had spare to match. Nor can I locate a BMW 'independent' locally who will take on the job. A lot of ex BMW guys of that era seem to have retired!
Any likely garage in Norwich that my daughter has approached has quoted £1000 without doing any diagnosis, so I am wary of blindly consigning the car there.
Also wary of spending £1000 on a brand new part then to find that at best, we need specialist help to code it to the car or at worst discover that it still does not communicate with scanners/main ECU
Currently the car has 66,000 miles and I suppose on a good day could be worth £4,500. My daughter has since buying it spent £6,500 all in (including cost of the car). My garage guy describes the condition as 'straight'. But without an MOT it would be worth not much at all.
Can anyone recommend someone who has the skills with the old cranky BMW electronics who could possibly help sort this out? We would travel 2+ hours to take the car to anyone who was good/recommended. So they need not be in Norfolk.
Thanks in advance.
Nic
Attleborough, Norfolk
:lol: