Need Help w/ new purchase- Fault Codes E39 - BMW Forum

Paranormal · 06-09-2009, 11:27 PM

Hey guys, I am about to purchase a 2000 BMW 528i w/ 59k and i took it in to have the diagnostic done which came back with all these error codes. They told me it was because the battery had been disconnected because the car had been parked for a while. I drove the car and it is mint, everything looked and handled like it was brand new. No services like or anything so i was very surprised to see these ( DME, Control Module, Control Cluster, ABS, Airbag, Central locking, LED for Alarm System, Steering Column, Tank Sensor, Voltage Supply & more...) The shop i had run the test wanted more money to tell me what was really wrong with the car the guy im buying it from took me to a luxury used dealership and had their mechanic run 2 additional test. The 1st came back with the same codes and he gave me the print out; Once the mechanic cleared it he ran the quick test again and it showed no faults. He assured me that nothing is wrong because there where no faults the 2nd test and still no service lights; that it all had been because the battery was disconnected. Now i know nothing about BMW's so does that sound legit or are all those faults real and he just cleared them temporarily?

He ran both test one after each other without turning off the car, not sure if it matters. After the 2nd test i looked to see if the LED for the alarm worked and it flashed when the car was locked.

Any help would be great guys since im set to pull the trigger Sat.

Thanks

witeshark · 06-09-2009, 11:31 PM

See if you can get a VIN history check. The codes issues are very serious red flags. I believe I'd walk off on this car.

Paranormal · 06-10-2009, 08:34 AM

I have the the Car Fax report showing it as a Certified vehicle.

I just need to know if disconnecting the battery cause's fault codes, if not then this guy is lying.

witeshark · 06-10-2009, 08:45 AM

I see no sensible reason for a battery disconnect to cause fault codes; if anything, it should actually cause a reset of the computer.

jimoreno · 06-10-2009, 09:18 AM

You need to drive it after resetting the codes. If nothing comes up after a coupel of minutes then you are golden!

marti5 · 06-10-2009, 10:09 AM

Fault codes are stored in the ECU, some may have been fixed and not erased, what do you mean by "No services like " ????, also disconnection of the battery will not through up errors.

As for a second test take it for at least a 10 minute drive and try everything out.

Paranormal · 06-10-2009, 06:29 PM

Ok, so when i go back on Sat i should drive it for about 10min or so and have them run the test one more time and if no fault codes come up then everything should be good to go.

Anything else guys?

Paranormal · 06-10-2009, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marti5

Fault codes are stored in the ECU, some may have been fixed and not erased, what do you mean by "No services like " ????, also disconnection of the battery will not through up errors.

As for a second test take it for at least a 10 minute drive and try everything out.

I meant no Service lights on the dash board, everything looked great until the shop ran the diagnostic. I didnt go any further than that because that shop wanted more money. After talking with the owner about it we went to a dealership and thats where they ran the test and then cleared all the fault codes but i didnt drive the car again.

marti5 · 06-11-2009, 03:21 AM

Ok, no service lights on the dash stay well clear my friend, its been tampered with, you should have at least 1 green light or more on, or an amber or the red, if theres none the cluster has been removed taken apart and the bulbs have been smashed!!!! BEWARE, just dont buy it.