I have to say I am so happy I stumbled across this video. It described the exact symptoms I experienced. I, however, was leaning towards a faulty airbag module as I could not communicate with the module at all and I've seen problem stem from the K bus on Z4's. So I was actually trying to find the best way to remove an airbag module and your video came up afterwards...The attention to detail was impressive, the wiring diagram made perfect sense, and made me check my vanity mirrors and such. Of course I had much more going on than I thought. So I checked the voltage at the electronic ignition switch, and of course i had low voltage at the accessory wire. Picked up a new switch, installed it myself, cleared all trouble codes, and Voila...everything worked properly!!! Also you saved me $$$, as a new airbag module is approximately $440, but the switch was only $72. so i would have wasted $440 and still had the same problems. Thank you so much for the insight.
Oh, you just can't beat a good old piece of after-market crap to hold up an already tricky repair. This video demonstrates how highly-skilled diagnosis in the first instance can save you hours replacing unnecessary parts. First-class job!
just wanted to thank you. I was experiencing these exact same symptoms. your method of diagnostics and proof of work is a great lesson. I performed this exact repair and car is fixed.
Thank you for taking the time to do this. I found your video a few months ago but somehow lost track of it. I was SOOOO happy to have found it again. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.
Great diagnostics Rob, this is the stuff I like to watch. Why are these aftermarket parts such bad quality, there not cheep and they wernt always this bad years ago.
Brilliant job Rob , its issues like that which leaves me thinking what the fudge is going on here ? Nice diag and direction process , this sort of job i tend to leave alone in fear of making things worse !
nice vidmate been there done that lol yeah it's surprising sometimes how cheap aftermarket parts can be I've had a couple of cases recently where the aftermarket prices were more expensive than the genuine great vid mate
Yeh with you there. The ones that make you go Woah are more interesting to resolve. I've heard Lucas is still around and is real bad now. Not used Lucas for years
My parents bought a Triumph TR-250 new in 1968. Picked it up at the factory in Coventry. The Lucas windshield washer crapped out before the car made it back to the U.S.
Great diagnosis Rob. I really enjoy the electrical content videos. What in particular gave you direction on this one? I note you did quite a bit of background research off camera. I would have loved to have followed you through the troubleshooting/thought process as this is what swamps many techs who could easily get overwhealmed with all those troublecodes.
I just look at a wiring diagrams, power distribution diagram & fault codes to try to find a link between all the failing items. I don't do it with the camera on mainly cause I end up chatting rubbish lol. I have to concentrate, its bad enough loosing your train of thought with customers coming in & phone calls. Glad you liked it.
Rob, funny you should experience that with gsf pattern parts. I bought a 2006 vw Passat 1.9tdi for £100 originally for scrap (it had a 2 week old battery and full tank of derv lol). It had a months mot, so I ran it as my own car had a gear issue. for mot to pass, it wanted 4 tyres, number plate. brakes were sticking but the sliders had seized, and an electric handbrake motor was u/s. I bought a caliper for the rear at considerable expense. I have a diagnostic reader that will cycle the brake. it wouldn't work. took it back, took ages to get refund. went to breaker £80 later job sorted. few months later, the temp gauge was messing about, rough running, I was worried as it had covered 300k. I changed the thermostat with genuine vw as that was cheaper, but the temp sensor was a lot dearer than gsf. I set myself a budget of no more than £600 before I called it a day. Sensor came, with new maf made by v-tech. put them on, cleared codes drove 5 miles it cut out never to re-start. towed it home, remembered an old trick with citroen hdi. pulled wire off new maf bingo it fired. sent parts back, got money back in the end, but it put paid to my bargain banger. I went to breaker 18 miles away and grabbed the 2 sensors off that. put them on, bingo sorted. We had already bought a newer car. l will never buy anything other than named off them again. and its sometimes worth that extra bit more for genuine. bloke I sold it to has plated it as a taxi again and has done 6k trouble free already grrrrrr
Purple wire (5v measurement) was a 12v return from the switch? Was trying to work out how you were condemning the switch from what the meter was saying
Could one of the accessories on that wire being faulty have pulled that voltage down? I know the switch was the problem, trying to work out how to be 100% sure before replacing it.
No just voltage drop caused by bad connection in the switch. To be 100% you could jump a 12v wire straight to the purple to confirm the switch at fault.
The Germany bit made me laugh! My Arse, Definitely China I would say. BMW part made in the Czech Republic... European quality. E46 suffer from ignition switches also I believe! Great video as ever.
I hate the long technical videos, but yours I did watch to the end, thank you for the video. Please can you tell me what is your diagnostic device ? It is a wireless ?
Dammit just fitted a Vemo cam sensor to my v12 BMW 760, haven't even tested it on the road yet. Looks like I will be doing it again very soon. I've had bad luck with some aftermarket parts except for the known quality brands like Delphi or Bosch etc.
Well just returned from a nice drive in the Cotswolds in 30 degree heat and the car runs better than it has for a long time. Had a fantastic meal on the price difference.
Hi there,I think your troubleshooting skill are very excellent because the problem was huge, I need to ask you something i have a 2007 bmw 530i that the emergency lights go on every 5 min if you happen to have one of these problems can you make a video about it?
done few bmw ignition switches over last few years, ones I normally use are febi bilstein branded and made by SWAG germany, they between 30 and £40 pending on the day and status ... Has to be online and next day or 2 day delivery as none of my local factors stock that brand or can match price and local stocked options from gsf ecp barum autoquip etc seem junk :-/ quite annoying have part option local same day but always junk :-( Least online parts options and shipping improved massively which tends help offset the standard autofactor poor quality and poor stock range/prices to some extent .
VEMO is an OEM supplier to BMW so the factory part could be the same except for the logo. I'd still go for OEM anyway. How many times do you replace the switch in the life of the car?
hello Rob.. nice video. can u tell me the name of broken switcher? I am from Serbia so I need to now the right term if I need to buy this switcher, so they need to know what I'm looking for. sorry for my broken English. cheers mate
please did the transmition light come again ? because I have the same problem I drive my car e39 I get this warning light transmition warning light ,but what happens afterwards when turn off ignition and then turn back again the warning light dissapears and the shifts normal do you have any idea thank you Regards Saleh
Hi, i have a traction control light and the gear with ( ! ) this in the middle of the gear light is on. “Transmission warning light” and stuck on 4th gear. Any idea?
Touch wood, I've never had a car with electrical gremlins. I think it would freak me out haha lesson of the day, don't put shit in your BMW! They don't like it :)
Haha mine doesn't like it either. On the odd occasion when I'm stuck and can't get OE parts, you can almost see her twitch lol they're moody divas but so worth it ;)
I have to say I am so happy I stumbled across this video. It described the exact symptoms I experienced. I, however, was leaning towards a faulty airbag module as I could not communicate with the module at all and I've seen problem stem from the K bus on Z4's. So I was actually trying to find the best way to remove an airbag module and your video came up afterwards...The attention to detail was impressive, the wiring diagram made perfect sense, and made me check my vanity mirrors and such. Of course I had much more going on than I thought. So I checked the voltage at the electronic ignition switch, and of course i had low voltage at the accessory wire. Picked up a new switch, installed it myself, cleared all trouble codes, and Voila...everything worked properly!!! Also you saved me $$$, as a new airbag module is approximately $440, but the switch was only $72. so i would have wasted $440 and still had the same problems. Thank you so much for the insight.
Glad to be of help. Thanks
Oh, you just can't beat a good old piece of after-market crap to hold up an already tricky repair. This video demonstrates how highly-skilled diagnosis in the first instance can save you hours replacing unnecessary parts. First-class job!
Thanks!
just wanted to thank you. I was experiencing these exact same symptoms. your method of diagnostics and proof of work is a great lesson. I performed this exact repair and car is fixed.
Great news! You’re welcome
I love the E39. I owned one for 7 years and had very few problems. It did me well and now I miss driving that solid smooth ride.
Finding things like you did early on puts you way ahead. Great work Rob. Another video proving OEM parts are sometimes worth the price.
Cheers Wyatt, absolutely. In this case cheaper than the aftermarket.
Thank you for taking the time to do this. I found your video a few months ago but somehow lost track of it. I was SOOOO happy to have found it again. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.
Great work Rob! Glad to see that it wasn't too much of a problem in getting it squared away. Have a good one Rob! 👍
Cheers Terry 🍻
1 minute in... I was thinking ground problem. D'oh!
Good first step in checking a wiring diagram!
I'll be remembering this for sure!
Yes me too mate. Especially with that airbag light flickering and fading out. Thought you'd like that one. Cheers🍻
Good video Rob. Way to track down the problem. gotta love those aftermarket part!
Hey Mike Thanks!! Yep the aftermarket parts keep us on our toes!
You Tube is far more interesting than regular TV. Fantastic video.
True story.. 👍
Great diagnostics Rob, this is the stuff I like to watch.
Why are these aftermarket parts such bad quality, there not cheep and they wernt always this bad years ago.
Thanks! I suppose it's all about cheap materials.
Vanity mirror controlled radio... those crafty Germans think of everything! Can't wait until Eric-O sees this one!
Yep, radio switches off to let the ladies concentrate while they apply their make up!
Absolutely terrific video Rob ! Looks like the slogan stays the same over there . N.E.W = never ever works.. Really happy for this video . Cheers 🍻
Thanks Keith! Yep I thought of you saying Never Ever Works when that happened. Cheers 🍻
Brilliant job Rob , its issues like that which leaves me thinking what the fudge is going on here ? Nice diag and direction process , this sort of job i tend to leave alone in fear of making things worse !
Cheers Chris. Be lost without the wiring diagram for direction.
Great stuff, dude! Thanks for making the vid.
50sKid Cheers man 🍻
nice vidmate been there done that lol yeah it's surprising sometimes how cheap aftermarket parts can be I've had a couple of cases recently where the aftermarket prices were more expensive than the genuine great vid mate
If the dealers stocked more I would use them first port of call every time. Cheers Leon!
One Auto, yes mate same
Very impressive electrical work there Rob.
Nice diagnosis Rob. Love the weird ones that make you think. Gotta love crap aftermarket parts but you knew that with Lucas.
Yeh with you there. The ones that make you go Woah are more interesting to resolve. I've heard Lucas is still around and is real bad now. Not used Lucas for years
Yeh Lucas electrical parts are like Dorman or A1 Cardone...stay away from them like the plaque!
My parents bought a Triumph TR-250 new in 1968. Picked it up at the factory in Coventry. The Lucas windshield washer crapped out before the car made it back to the U.S.
Very good Rob...
I had one with different behaviours but same component being the culprit... common problem on this ones...
Yes it is common, I had one do similar years ago. Cheers Luis
Where did you source your replacment part from?
strange fault Rob glad you sorted it great video as always mate
Cheers Paul!
Great job Rob, look forward to the next.
125 SM Thanks!
great video mate. you deserve way more subscribers. keep em up! 👍
Thanks!
Great diagnosis Rob. I really enjoy the electrical content videos. What in particular gave you direction on this one? I note you did quite a bit of background research off camera. I would have loved to have followed you through the troubleshooting/thought process as this is what swamps many techs who could easily get overwhealmed with all those troublecodes.
I just look at a wiring diagrams, power distribution diagram & fault codes to try to find a link between all the failing items.
I don't do it with the camera on mainly cause I end up chatting rubbish lol. I have to concentrate, its bad enough loosing your train of thought with customers coming in & phone calls. Glad you liked it.
Awesome work sir. Love your methodical approach . Thank you
Thanks Ramon
Rob, funny you should experience that with gsf pattern parts. I bought a 2006 vw Passat 1.9tdi for £100 originally for scrap (it had a 2 week old battery and full tank of derv lol). It had a months mot, so I ran it as my own car had a gear issue. for mot to pass, it wanted 4 tyres, number plate. brakes were sticking but the sliders had seized, and an electric handbrake motor was u/s. I bought a caliper for the rear at considerable expense. I have a diagnostic reader that will cycle the brake. it wouldn't work. took it back, took ages to get refund. went to breaker £80 later job sorted. few months later, the temp gauge was messing about, rough running, I was worried as it had covered 300k. I changed the thermostat with genuine vw as that was cheaper, but the temp sensor was a lot dearer than gsf. I set myself a budget of no more than £600 before I called it a day. Sensor came, with new maf made by v-tech. put them on, cleared codes drove 5 miles it cut out never to re-start. towed it home, remembered an old trick with citroen hdi. pulled wire off new maf bingo it fired. sent parts back, got money back in the end, but it put paid to my bargain banger. I went to breaker 18 miles away and grabbed the 2 sensors off that. put them on, bingo sorted. We had already bought a newer car. l will never buy anything other than named off them again. and its sometimes worth that extra bit more for genuine. bloke I sold it to has plated it as a taxi again and has done 6k trouble free already grrrrrr
Its the first time I've tried a Vemo part....and the last!
Gotta love the VW 1.9 TDI's
Great video Rob,the first time I watched your video thumb up.Keep in track.I would like see more video from you.
Josenildo Silva Thank you :)
Purple wire (5v measurement) was a 12v return from the switch? Was trying to work out how you were condemning the switch from what the meter was saying
Yes purple wire should have been 12v as the accessory output from the switch that fed all those fuses I highlighted.
Could one of the accessories on that wire being faulty have pulled that voltage down? I know the switch was the problem, trying to work out how to be 100% sure before replacing it.
No just voltage drop caused by bad connection in the switch. To be 100% you could jump a 12v wire straight to the purple to confirm the switch at fault.
Awesome vid Rob. I wouldn't have a clue if I seen that . This will help a lot of people plus teach everyone not to buy aftermarket dodgy parts. LOL
Cheers Steve!
Hi dear, it works prrfectly in my E39 530i. Really appreciated your help! Thaks so much !! Cheers!
Great video, love the vanity mirrors taking out the radio :D
How cool was that!
great video. I'm having the exact same issue on my 99 e39 528 touring. Now I know what to do! THANKS!
Great videos.And gladly for me, showing some good repairs on European models :)
The Germany bit made me laugh! My Arse, Definitely China I would say. BMW part made in the Czech Republic... European quality. E46 suffer from ignition switches also I believe! Great video as ever.
I know mate.. the original BMW marked switch was made by Valeo.
One Auto, Valeo or Vemo... Hmm I think I know which supplier I would trust.
Hmmmm. A 20 year old BMW with electrical gremlins! Well i never.
Keep up the good work Rob. Stay frosty.
Cheers 🍻
I hate the long technical videos, but yours I did watch to the end, thank you for the video. Please can you tell me what is your diagnostic device ? It is a wireless ?
Thank you. It’s an Autel MS908 and yes Bluetooth connection
@@OneAuto Thank you very much for the info, am a 528i 1998 model owner and already subscribed.
Just watch and did the work to my bmw. Great advice it worked great. Thx
Dammit just fitted a Vemo cam sensor to my v12 BMW 760, haven't even tested it on the road yet. Looks like I will be doing it again very soon.
I've had bad luck with some aftermarket parts except for the known quality brands like Delphi or Bosch etc.
Do you know what.. if it works, so be it. I've just warranty claimed a Bosch fuel pump after 1k miles (made in China on the box)
Well just returned from a nice drive in the Cotswolds in 30 degree heat and the car runs better than it has for a long time. Had a fantastic meal on the price difference.
Where do you source your wiring diagrams Rob ! Brilliant video by the way
Thanks.. I subscribe to Autodata and Alldata
One Auto, and if all else fails there is EricOdata
Oh yes of course EricOdata for the US stuff lol
Thank you I watched your video at least 6 months ago and the same thing just happened to me
Good work Rob !
Thanks!
Hi there,I think your troubleshooting skill are very excellent because the problem was huge, I need to ask you something i have a 2007 bmw 530i that the emergency lights go on every 5 min if you happen to have one of these problems can you make a video about it?
What Part Of The Country Are You m8 👍
Nice one Rob. Do you get your wiring diagrams from a subscription source?
Thanks! Yes I use Autodata and Alldata.
Nice SAM sticker on your tool box!
Great that! Exactly what I was looking for! Thanks
99 528i driver seat and steering column stop working, Can you please make a video of it.?
Great vid Rob
Cheers
Jamie
Thanks Jamie
i have been surprised a few times with genuine parts being cheaper from Honda.
Yes always worth enquiring first. If they stocked more parts we would all use them more.
done few bmw ignition switches over last few years, ones I normally use are febi bilstein branded and made by SWAG germany, they between 30 and £40 pending on the day and status ...
Has to be online and next day or 2 day delivery as none of my local factors stock that brand or can match price and local stocked options from gsf ecp barum autoquip etc seem junk :-/
quite annoying have part option local same day but always junk :-(
Least online parts options and shipping improved massively which tends help offset the standard autofactor poor quality and poor stock range/prices to some extent .
Impressive that the radio worked at all with 5 volts.
That's good German engineering right there.
I disassembled the piece and found it dirty and had carbon traces to prevent the connection. After cleaning it now works well and naturally
Captain Nehad Nice work 👍
One Auto,
Thank you and for your help I benefited a lot by identifying the invalid piece
Great repair!
Thanks!
I have a 2001 530i with the ⚙symbol on car jerk when braking and jerks when shifting to drive and reverse
having such problems on your car should just make you laugh lol
Anyway to get ride of transmission code without putting it on a machine?
What Part OfThe Vountry Are You M
Hi Rob,
Where do you find your wiring diagrams? I find autodata leaving me down lately with wrong wire colours, pin outs.
I sub to Autodata but agree it has some very shady areas. I also sub to Alldata but it’s the Euro one so ain’t great
One Auto, yeah I've heard that that about all data. We'll have to persevere so. Thanks for the reply.
VEMO is an OEM supplier to BMW so the factory part could be the same except for the logo. I'd still go for OEM anyway. How many times do you replace the switch in the life of the car?
What I forgot to mention was that the original BMW marked switch was made by Valeo.
VW OEM ignition switches are made in China now. Lots of other parts, now, too. Like EVAP purge valves. Bosch, made in China.
03 bmw 525i e93 I was having the same problem and it was the switch , airbag light blink car loose power sometimes , steering adjusting by itself
hello Rob.. nice video. can u tell me the name of broken switcher? I am from Serbia so I need to now the right term if I need to buy this switcher, so they need to know what I'm looking for. sorry for my broken English. cheers mate
Its the 'Ignition switch'. Get one from BMW, part number 61326901961
you are the best, mate..thanks a lot.. take care
please did the transmition light come again ?
because I have the same problem I drive my car e39 I get this warning light transmition warning light ,but what happens afterwards when turn off ignition and then turn back again the warning light dissapears and the shifts normal do you have any idea thank you
Regards
Saleh
saleh byatra Sounds like you have a different problem to this one that I'm not aware of.
Have the same.. did u fix it?
Hi, i have a traction control light and the gear with ( ! ) this in the middle of the gear light is on. “Transmission warning light” and stuck on 4th gear. Any idea?
So BWD has a European subsidiary?
Haha yes the European subsidiary is called NEW! :)
Under 12V seems a bit low, is the battery on the way out?
Good repair! The ignition switch seems to be a fairly common problem for BMWs of this era.
Great job
Thank you!
Eric o will be screaming....dorman parts re-labeled...lol
I have a problem with my car 1999 bmw 528i it has the transmission light on and the code I have is P0600 what should I do
it is the same like m54 e39 the swicth ?
May i ask what kind of computer scanner you use?
Autel Maxisys MS908
Good job man thanks 🙏🏻
interesting job. I enjoyed a lot
Lol, I wonder how accurate that MPG dial is
is obd common in europe?
s n491 Yes sir and OBD2
it is will work for e46 m43tu "01 ?
such a common issue that vanity mirror airbag interface controller 😂
Just glad it didn't pop the airbag when the mirror blind was opened 🙈
I have transmission light on after I changed my intake hoses anyone know why ??
Hi 👋 my car bmw e38 2001 start car no light in dashboard when I drive speed 40 warning ⚠️ light traction light cam in dashboard can help me tanx
This might help you,
ruclips.net/video/WSmC2Vchw7s/видео.html
What is the part called
What is this switch called
Ignition switch
this is the reason I always buy/ insist on genuine BMW when my mechanic does any work on BMW.
Good advice 👍
now i've seen what you guys go through and the frustration makes my decision more worth it. :) looking forward to your next video.
HaHa Vemo is the Dorman of the UK.
So it seems :)
Touch wood, I've never had a car with electrical gremlins. I think it would freak me out haha lesson of the day, don't put shit in your BMW! They don't like it :)
Haha this one didn't like it :)
Haha mine doesn't like it either. On the odd occasion when I'm stuck and can't get OE parts, you can almost see her twitch lol they're moody divas but so worth it ;)
GREMLINS, HAHAH
All you need when you are trying to work out an electrical problem. Faulty "new" parts.I will steer clear of vemo cheap shite.
TrueBlueEG8 yep not very helpful!
I Need To Bring My 1999 e39 Auto BMW to You. Re Auto box Yellow Cog light Coming on. Going into Slow Mod. Please Get In Touch Rob.👍🫵🙏