83C Posted March 6, 2017 Share Posted March 6, 2017 Over the last few weeks my E38 728i has suffered a few weird electrical gremlins. First the windscreen washers partially packed up - when I pull the windscreen wiper stalk for wash/wipe the washers jet out water for half a second and then die. The wipers work normally. Second the main beam headlights come on and off randomly when the headlight/indicator stalk is in the dipped beam position, and stay off when the stalk is in the main beam position. This morning the third fault appeared - leaving home the car drove around 600yds and then went into limp mode - the message on the dash was 'Fail Safe Mode'. No engine management light, all fluids present and correct. I switched it all off and started it again but it immediately went into limp mode. It revs to around 1500 and that's it, and the revs are lumpy, though it's smooth when idling. Any ideas? I'm scouring the Meeknet E38 site too for a possible solution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
83C Posted March 6, 2017 Author Share Posted March 6, 2017 Found this which might explain the washers and headlights but doesn't mention the throttle (fly by wire jobbie): http://www.meeknet.co.uk/e38/Loom_fault.pdf Anyone know if the wiring for the throttle is also in the same bundle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BavarianRetro Posted March 6, 2017 Share Posted March 6, 2017 First place to look for apparently random electrical faults on an E38 is the battery. Check for voltage and charging before assuming anything else. All of those - and many, many more can be caused by low battery voltage. red5 and 83C 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
83C Posted March 6, 2017 Author Share Posted March 6, 2017 Ok, I'm guessing it should charge at the standard 14.4ish volts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BavarianRetro Posted March 6, 2017 Share Posted March 6, 2017 Yes. Anything around or over 13.8 should be OK. 83C 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
83C Posted March 6, 2017 Author Share Posted March 6, 2017 Ok. I know the battery isn't that old but a new one seems to be around £60 so not the end of the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
83C Posted March 9, 2017 Author Share Posted March 9, 2017 Yes. Anything around or over 13.8 should be OK.Charging at 13.93v from cold. Started fine, no warning lights on the dash. Just tried driving it, went into failsafe mode after 200yds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
83C Posted March 9, 2017 Author Share Posted March 9, 2017 This might not be helping: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BavarianRetro Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 No. That's not good. I assume it's engine failsafe as opposed to trans? Have you read the codes? This is invaluable. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B011KSTC6I/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1 You'd need the 20 pin pacman adapter too. It's about a fiver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
83C Posted March 9, 2017 Author Share Posted March 9, 2017 Not yet read the codes, I ought to get one of those readers. It's the engine failsafe rather than transmission. Checked the BCU compartment just to make sure it wasn't flooded, dry as a bone fortunately. New hose ordered, £20 delivered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
83C Posted March 9, 2017 Author Share Posted March 9, 2017 No. That's not good. I assume it's engine failsafe as opposed to trans? Have you read the codes? This is invaluable. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B011KSTC6I/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1 You'd need the 20 pin pacman adapter too. It's about a fiver.Where would I get a 'pacman' adaptor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
83C Posted March 9, 2017 Author Share Posted March 9, 2017 Just looked and there's a link that sells both as a bundle. Sorted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
83C Posted March 22, 2017 Author Share Posted March 22, 2017 New hose fitted, still drops into limp mode so I guess the fault codes will need to be cleared. Bugger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BavarianRetro Posted March 22, 2017 Share Posted March 22, 2017 What were the codes? Clear them. Drive it until it goes into limp mode and read them again. If it's a facelift, you can do engine stuff from the obd2 inside the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
83C Posted March 22, 2017 Author Share Posted March 22, 2017 It is a facelift. Nov. 2000 built. Got a code reader on order from Amazon, was hoping to get away with not buying one. Slow progress because I work away and the car isn't where I am. Next update will hopefully be in a week's time.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BavarianRetro Posted March 22, 2017 Share Posted March 22, 2017 That wee Creator code reader will read engine and gearbox codes and real time data from the driver's seat. Anything else needs the pacman cable under the bonnet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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