E39 help

Django x2 · 26 Aug 2009 at 09:13

Guys, a good friend of mine has just picked up a 530i Sport Touring on an 02 plate.

Driving it back today the dash advises him that a bulb is out. He's checked all the bulbs possibly with the exception of the numberplate lamps at the rear and all are fine.

Any ideas?

Secondly, neither of the keys remotely lock or unlock the car. It recently had a new battery.

Is there a way to resync like putting the key in the ignition, turning the ignition on and pressing the button?

Failing that I guess its the batteries.

Thanks,

[TW]Fox · 26 Aug 2009 at 09:15

Either the numberplate light is out or one of his rear bulbs is about to go.

Django x2 · 26 Aug 2009 at 09:18

[TW]Fox;14752482 said:
Either the numberplate light is out or one of his rear bulbs is about to go.

Ok cool. When you say about to go, how does the car know this and could it be any of them, indicator, position, brake, fog?

Rilot · 26 Aug 2009 at 09:20

Here's how to re-sync the keys: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7490182&postcount=10

I'm assuming he has the low-OBC from your description. The high-OBC will say exactly which bulb has failed.
Tourings have a habit of throwing up bulb failures from the tail lights randomly. Best thing to do is to remove the bulbs from the holders for all of the tail lights and clean up the contacts. Should sort it.

iaind · 26 Aug 2009 at 09:21

Rilot said:
I'm assuming he has the low-OBC from your description. The high-OBC will say exactly which bulb has failed.
Tourings have a habit of throwing up bulb failures from the tail lights randomly. Best thing to do is to remove the bulbs from the holders for all of the tail lights and clean up the contacts. Should sort it.

A friend had the same thing on an e46 saloon, don't know if the system is the same but cleaning up the contacts for the bulb in question sorted it

Django x2 · 26 Aug 2009 at 10:33

So is it true that you don't need to replace the batteries in the E39 remotes?

[TW]Fox · 26 Aug 2009 at 11:38

Lucero said:
So is it true that you don't need to replace the batteries in the E39 remotes?

No they are self charging from the ignition.

OllyM · 26 Aug 2009 at 12:06

Is the high level brake light working? I missed checking this and couldn't work out why it was warning me of a bulb failure

Django x2 · 26 Aug 2009 at 12:57

I have questioned this too. Not seen the car yet. Maybe tonight. Correct me if I'm wrong though but its not high level in the 5 Touring. Its in the middle of the bottom edge of the glass, not like the E46 touring where there is a high level light along the top edge of the boot lid?

NickXX · 26 Aug 2009 at 13:53

iaind said:
A friend had the same thing on an e46 saloon, don't know if the system is the same but cleaning up the contacts for the bulb in question sorted it

For the e46, it will be that the ground pin will have corroded. Check where the connector attaches to the light cluster.

Rilot · 26 Aug 2009 at 16:24

Lucero said:
I have questioned this too. Not seen the car yet. Maybe tonight. Correct me if I'm wrong though but its not high level in the 5 Touring. Its in the middle of the bottom edge of the glass, not like the E46 touring where there is a high level light along the top edge of the boot lid?

Mine is a line of LEDs along the top edge of the glass.