1999 540i electrical issue.

yellowllewellyn · 09-23-2013, 12:56 PM

Hello,

I have a 1999 540i with a 6 speed manual. Ive been having electric issues. The car will randomly not start due to the battery being drained by something. The car drives just fine, with no warning lights on. However the cars alarm will randomly go off and then stop after 2 or 3 minutes. The car will lock itself when i shut the trunk. The alarm will also go off when unlocking the car every now an then when using the key fob, and also alway when using my spare key for the first time after using the original key. The car will also randomly lock whenever i turn the car off. Im assuming there is something in the locking system that is causing the battery to drain. The car will sometimes be find for weeks at a time and then one day just be dead in a parking lot. and sometimes it will happen multiple times in a week. The battery is brand new and i have replaced it a few times just incase. I have taken it to my trusted workshop many times and they can not find the issue. They left it on a monitor for a week and the saw no battery draw. They even drove the car around alittle to see if they could trip it. Nothing. Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks so much.

supra94tt · 09-27-2013, 09:00 PM

Hmm..... sounds like one of your door lock actuators and/or door latch assy. is kaput, Im surprised that scanning the car did not show anything(unless it was not a BMW equipment?).

AGM5 · 11-01-2013, 04:07 PM

Unplug the hood switch (it is in front of the left (driver's side US)) cabin filter and see if the battery drain and random alarm issues don't go away.

This is a common problem on the e39s.

09-23-2013, 12:56 PM	#1
yellowllewellyn Private 19 Rep 77 Posts Drives: 2014 335i xDrive Join Date: May 2012 Location: Ky iTrader: (0)	1999 540i electrical issue. Hello, I have a 1999 540i with a 6 speed manual. Ive been having electric issues. The car will randomly not start due to the battery being drained by something. The car drives just fine, with no warning lights on. However the cars alarm will randomly go off and then stop after 2 or 3 minutes. The car will lock itself when i shut the trunk. The alarm will also go off when unlocking the car every now an then when using the key fob, and also alway when using my spare key for the first time after using the original key. The car will also randomly lock whenever i turn the car off. Im assuming there is something in the locking system that is causing the battery to drain. The car will sometimes be find for weeks at a time and then one day just be dead in a parking lot. and sometimes it will happen multiple times in a week. The battery is brand new and i have replaced it a few times just incase. I have taken it to my trusted workshop many times and they can not find the issue. They left it on a monitor for a week and the saw no battery draw. They even drove the car around alittle to see if they could trip it. Nothing. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks so much.
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09-27-2013, 09:00 PM	#2
supra94tt New Member 1 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 2000 540 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New Jersey Republic iTrader: (0)	Hmm..... sounds like one of your door lock actuators and/or door latch assy. is kaput, Im surprised that scanning the car did not show anything(unless it was not a BMW equipment?).
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11-01-2013, 04:07 PM	#3
AGM5 Private 2 Rep 51 Posts Drives: E39 M5, E46 330i ZHP, F22 M235 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: TARDIS iTrader: (0) Garage List 1994 Chevrolet Cama ... [0.00] 2002 Acura RSX type S [0.00] 2001 BMW M5 [0.00]	Unplug the hood switch (it is in front of the left (driver's side US)) cabin filter and see if the battery drain and random alarm issues don't go away. This is a common problem on the e39s. __________________ ///M… 1 of 75 ANTHRAZIT METALLIC (397) / WALK NAPPA/SCHWARZ (M1SW) 348.64 WHP / 343.65WTQ Tuned by BMW Motorsports 4/2001 Bone Stock at 145,000Miles.
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