'01 530i Problems

Expired · 04-17-2009, 03:18 PM

Essentially I have 3..

1. When starting the car, every once in a while when you turn the key it will try to turn over for 1 second then all electronics go out. Sometimes it will go out then come back within a second and turn over.

If it doesn't come back I have to take the key out, manually open the trunk, and wiggle the wire on my battery a little. After I wiggle it the lights come back on and it will usually start. If not I have to repeat this 1-2 more times before it turns over.

Could the fit on the battery be a little loose to where its not transferring electricity properly? Battery should still be good, i'll have to check its output.

2. My right tail light periodically goes out. The bulb is fine, so it has to be the wiring. Where could the problem be? I think I remember reading that the ground wire is faulty on the taillights in bmw's around 00-02. This has been going on for a month or so. Since my left taillight is now doing it as well, it's no longer a bearable problem.

3. I think my front control arms need replacing, correct me if i'm wrong. At around 50mph+ my car will start to significantly pull to the right, enough where I have to keep steady pressure on the wheel to keep it straight. Every now and then it will pull to the left as well, and i'll have to continually make adjustments to stay in my lane. When turning it feels loose, as if the wheels are slipping one way or another. It feels as though i'm having to turn the wheel more than normal when pulling out of my driveway to make a 90 degree turn.

Sometimes when pulling up to a stop sign there will be a hole in the road. I usually hit it with the right tire going at a very slow speed and braking. My tire will start to rapidly shake up and down for about 2-3 seconds and then stop, as if i ran over several large rocks.

Prices for all the parts to fix these problems??
Possibly labor as well if I can't do it myself.

sktn77a · 01-19-2010, 11:32 AM

A bit late but maybe it will help someone else.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Expired

When starting the car, every once in a while when you turn the key it will try to turn over for 1 second then all electronics go out. Sometimes it will go out then come back within a second and turn over. If it doesn't come back I have to take the key out, manually open the trunk, and wiggle the wire on my battery a little. After I wiggle it the lights come back on and it will usually start. If not I have to repeat this 1-2 more times before it turns over. Could the fit on the battery be a little loose to where its not transferring electricity properly? Battery should still be good, i'll have to check its output.

Yes, almost certainly a bad battery connection or a problem with the power distribution network just in front of the battery.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Expired

I think my front control arms need replacing, correct me if i'm wrong. At around 50mph+ my car will start to significantly pull to the right, enough where I have to keep steady pressure on the wheel to keep it straight. Every now and then it will pull to the left as well, and i'll have to continually make adjustments to stay in my lane. When turning it feels loose, as if the wheels are slipping one way or another. It feels as though i'm having to turn the wheel more than normal when pulling out of my driveway to make a 90 degree turn.

A pretty common issue with the E39 at 60k to 90k miles, although it usually manifests as a steering shimmy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Expired

Sometimes when pulling up to a stop sign there will be a hole in the road. I usually hit it with the right tire going at a very slow speed and braking. My tire will start to rapidly shake up and down for about 2-3 seconds and then stop, as if i ran over several large rocks.

Could be ABS (normal) or a bad shock absorber (expensive)!

Bavarian Motor Works · 01-20-2010, 05:34 PM

#1. try cleaning (with sandpaper) the battery terminals to get better transfer.

#2. wiring issues are very tricky so thats probably best answered by a mechanic.

#3. Control arms and/or front stabilizer link might do the trick, plus its never a bad idea to get wheel alignment and balancing.

Hope it wasnt too late...you can actually get great prices at qeautoparts.com

stabilizer link (left & right): $45.50

control arms (left & right): $159.95

thats the deal a friend of mine got a few months ago....good luck with your car

04-17-2009, 03:18 PM	#1
Expired Fanatic 103 Rep 175 Posts Drives: N/A Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Houston, Tx iTrader: (0)	'01 530i Problems Essentially I have 3.. 1. When starting the car, every once in a while when you turn the key it will try to turn over for 1 second then all electronics go out. Sometimes it will go out then come back within a second and turn over. If it doesn't come back I have to take the key out, manually open the trunk, and wiggle the wire on my battery a little. After I wiggle it the lights come back on and it will usually start. If not I have to repeat this 1-2 more times before it turns over. Could the fit on the battery be a little loose to where its not transferring electricity properly? Battery should still be good, i'll have to check its output. 2. My right tail light periodically goes out. The bulb is fine, so it has to be the wiring. Where could the problem be? I think I remember reading that the ground wire is faulty on the taillights in bmw's around 00-02. This has been going on for a month or so. Since my left taillight is now doing it as well, it's no longer a bearable problem. 3. I think my front control arms need replacing, correct me if i'm wrong. At around 50mph+ my car will start to significantly pull to the right, enough where I have to keep steady pressure on the wheel to keep it straight. Every now and then it will pull to the left as well, and i'll have to continually make adjustments to stay in my lane. When turning it feels loose, as if the wheels are slipping one way or another. It feels as though i'm having to turn the wheel more than normal when pulling out of my driveway to make a 90 degree turn. Sometimes when pulling up to a stop sign there will be a hole in the road. I usually hit it with the right tire going at a very slow speed and braking. My tire will start to rapidly shake up and down for about 2-3 seconds and then stop, as if i ran over several large rocks. Prices for all the parts to fix these problems?? Possibly labor as well if I can't do it myself. __________________ People only know what you tell them. ►Only in ROFL Copter.◄
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01-20-2010, 05:34 PM	#3
Bavarian Motor Works Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 1998 BMW 540I Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Miami iTrader: (0)	#1. try cleaning (with sandpaper) the battery terminals to get better transfer. #2. wiring issues are very tricky so thats probably best answered by a mechanic. #3. Control arms and/or front stabilizer link might do the trick, plus its never a bad idea to get wheel alignment and balancing. Hope it wasnt too late...you can actually get great prices at qeautoparts.com stabilizer link (left & right): $45.50 control arms (left & right): $159.95 thats the deal a friend of mine got a few months ago....good luck with your car
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