Z3 Wiring problem!

[aahamp]

I drive a 1998 Z3 1.9L and had a keyswitch problem a couple of weeks ago and had to remove the key cylinder assembly. The airbag was removed but I still had to go to work (not the best decision making) so I drove the car a couple of days like this. Basically heres the rundown of symptoms resulting from these couple of days.



1. Instrument cluster doesnt work with exception of the speedometer. When car is at highway speed all the gauges flicker into action repeatedly but go back to zero.



2. Inspection / oilchange / TCS / ABS / check engine lights flicker on and off very quickly in.



3. The tone that plays when the door is opened with key on plays on and off in tempo with dash board lights.



4. Weird twist: Turn signals no longer work, relays dont even come on, BUT when I activate either signal the tone and flickering dash lights stop going insane and everything is calm. The emergency indicator button still activates flashers in all four corners of the car.





Im guessing its a lack of grounding on the switch that controls the high beams and turn signals. However that doesnt explain the instrument cluster problems... Any suggestions!

[johnnyBgood]

Welcome to the Werkz......

Have you checked the terminal connector to the cluster to make sure it's pushed all the way in & secure......also check to see if any of the connector terminals were not bent, when you reinserted the plug to the cluster.....

definitley sounds like a loose connection somewhere within the area you were working.......either in the cluster... but I don't know if you had that out.....but definitley in the steering column.

check all your connection points on every connector you unplugged

johnny

[aahamp]

i dont know how i forgot to mention this,

thursday the battery light came on. car started friday morning but light was still on. Didnt drive it this weekend, but battery was dead flat by monday morning. I havent actually unplugged any terminal connectors other than those going to the airbag. Thanks so much for the help! I'm loving my first BMW and look forward to a little autocross this fall! I'll need all the help I can get!

[johnnyBgood]

Originally Posted by aahamp

i dont know how i forgot to mention this,

thursday the battery light came on. car started friday morning but light was still on. Didnt drive it this weekend, but battery was dead flat by monday morning. I havent actually unplugged any terminal connectors other than those going to the airbag. Thanks so much for the help! I'm loving my first BMW and look forward to a little autocross this fall! I'll need all the help I can get!

Sounds like a battery charging issue......check your battery terminals & make sure they are good & tight.....next charge your battery fully with a wall charger, after you can check the alternator by starting the car & turning everything on......lights, blower motor, rear defroster, a/c......check for dimming lights......if you have a voltmeter.....it should be reading about 13.5 volts with the engine running......

low battery voltage either through the fault of the battery or alternator, would cause flickering guage lights.......

[darkhorse737]

That many things wrong and all at the same time:

Disconnect battery for a day. That resets the computer, and brings all electric back to ZERO state.

Re-connect and re-check. Note any changes. If all symptoms still display... only 1 denominator there...

A GROUND WIRE CAME LOOSE!!! i'll bet you on that ;-)

[jc43089]

As an electrician my vote is a ground wire too, check the ground from the engine block to frame as well.