98 540i electrical problems

[katscorp]

Hi. got a dandy problem, i think.....
Sterio will not work along with all controlls on the steering wheel, signals and all that work but no horn, illuminasion of buttons, volume and cruz control do not work.
after a few days, everything was working again, then it all quit and same probs.
the car starts and drive fine.
I have checked all the fuses and they are good.......any suggestions?

Thanks

[witeshark]

There's evidently a loose connection in the column. Does the car have an airbag, and has that been serviced?

[katscorp]

Yes it does have airbags, It hasen't been serviced scince I have owned it. ( 9 months)
I understand the steering wheel not functioning properly because of a loose wire but would that cause the radio itself not to work?

Thanks

[marti5]

I would be looking more at the ignition switch, which is not the barrel but is an electrical switch at the end of the barrel........common fault.

[katscorp]

Sometimes it works nd other times it doesn't. No real pattern just weird. I'll get it checked out and let you know.
Thanks

[CosmosBlack]

marti is right, it could well be the ignition switch, a common problem.
I don't know if it's the same in a '98, but you should also look at the fusible link, by the battery. They get loose or corrode over time, causing similar symptoms.

[katscorp]

Thanks everyone! it was the ignition switch.

[witeshark]

Glad to see you got it sorted!