BMW and M Power Owners

slick rick · 19 Nov 2015 at 12:44

Hi guys,

Last night I was driving home in my e39 and it was raining. The wipers were set on automatic and were working fine when they suddenly stopped, manually moving the stalk didn't help in any position and the washer jets stopped working also, luckily I was not far from home and as I pulled onto the drive they started working again.

I know the relay is a weak spot with the wipers but I am not sure if a faulty relay would stop the jets from working also? I suspect it is the relay but thought I would ask here.

If anyone has experienced this and can offer advice that would be great.

Thanks!

SS-89 · 19 Nov 2015 at 12:56

mrk said:
Following page, very nsfw material though that.

I see no F80/F82 (yes the f82 isn't an m3 yhyh) so not quite complete!

However looks like a great book, might pick up a copy.

mrk · 19 Nov 2015 at 13:23

Pfft, imposter M3s need not apply tbh

SS-89 · 19 Nov 2015 at 13:35

mrk said:
Pfft, imposter M3s need not apply tbh

Suppose that includes convertibles then

mrk · 19 Nov 2015 at 13:38

But! Correct engine under the hood and correct designation, so all checks out

MoRT489 · 19 Nov 2015 at 13:42

How do you operate the follow me home lights?

mrk · 19 Nov 2015 at 13:44

Pull the stalk back once when the car is off and keys are out of the ignition. The headlights lights and rear tail lights will stay on for 30-40secs.

If you have a cable and app, you can customise what lights stay on and for what length of time.

[TW]Fox · 19 Nov 2015 at 14:58

Depending on the car you can also set it through idrive and activate it from the key.

Marvin · 19 Nov 2015 at 16:11

slick rick said:
Hi guys,

Last night I was driving home in my e39 and it was raining. The wipers were set on automatic and were working fine when they suddenly stopped, manually moving the stalk didn't help in any position and the washer jets stopped working also, luckily I was not far from home and as I pulled onto the drive they started working again.

I know the relay is a weak spot with the wipers but I am not sure if a faulty relay would stop the jets from working also? I suspect it is the relay but thought I would ask here.

If anyone has experienced this and can offer advice that would be great.

Thanks!

I had something similar on my old Z4 where the wipers wouldn't turn off, then wouldn't come back on. The motor contacts were covered in grease which conducts electricity so wouldn't park properly. I stripped them down and de-greased them which fixed the problem. I assume BMW use a similarly crap design on the E39, but YMMV.

slick rick · 19 Nov 2015 at 19:47

Marvin said:
I had something similar on my old Z4 where the wipers wouldn't turn off, then wouldn't come back on. The motor contacts were covered in grease which conducts electricity so wouldn't park properly. I stripped them down and de-greased them which fixed the problem. I assume BMW use a similarly crap design on the E39, but YMMV.

Thanks for your reply mate. I don't think that's the issue as the washer jets stopped working also which puzzled me a bit. I tried the wipers earlier and they worked again. I have rain-x the windscreen just in case and will keep an eye. I appreciate the suggestion.

Marvin · 19 Nov 2015 at 20:08

Potentially a wiring issue? Are the washer jets on the same fuse as the wipers?

slick rick · 19 Nov 2015 at 20:14

Marvin said:
Potentially a wiring issue? Are the washer jets on the same fuse as the wipers?

It could be a wiring issue, chaffed wire somewhere possibly? Not sure about the fuse I will have a look at the fuse chart tomorrow.

Thanks.

MoRT489 · 19 Nov 2015 at 21:41

[TW]Fox;28838055 said:
Depending on the car you can also set it through idrive and activate it from the key.

I have E93 and F25, both allow setting in idrive to choose the duration but how do u activate from key fob?

[TW]Fox · 19 Nov 2015 at 21:43

MoRT489 said:
I have E93 and F25, both allow setting in idrive to choose the duration but how do u activate from key fob?

The E93 won't do it - on the F25 do you have a Special Function button below the Boot Open button?

If so, that operates the lights. If you've just got a plastic blank then, well, shoulda bought an X5

o

MoRT489 · 19 Nov 2015 at 22:20

[TW]Fox;28839816 said:
The E93 won't do it - on the F25 do you have a Special Function button below the Boot Open button?

If so, that operates the lights. If you've just got a plastic blank then, well, shoulda bought an X5 o

No magic button, d'oh!

[TW]Fox · 19 Nov 2015 at 22:43

Looks like it's a 5 Series and above thing then

SDK^ · 19 Nov 2015 at 22:56

Just press lock or unlock on the key.

[TW]Fox · 19 Nov 2015 at 22:58

SDK^ said:
Just press lock or unlock on the key.

Which doesn't activate the coming home lights. It just activates the side lights and ambient lighting.

Coming home lights are the main beam.

Gaygle · 20 Nov 2015 at 02:30

lee1101 said:
Yeah they are and I don't have a driveway to do the work and wouldn't fancy doing it in the road! I'll report back next week with an update if it fixed my problems

You get them fitted yet??

hurfdurf · 20 Nov 2015 at 05:58

mrk said:
Pull the stalk back once when the car is off and keys are out of the ignition. The headlights lights and rear tail lights will stay on for 30-40secs.

If you have a cable and app, you can customise what lights stay on and for what length of time.

Is this something I can do as well on a Z4?