Instrument Panel not working

Tiny
SWEETC
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 BMW Z4
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 49,006 MILES
My problem affected several things at one time so I am pretty sure all malfunctions are related to the same issue and it seem to happen in between uses as the car is not driven that often. After sitting for a while, I went to start the car and the battery was dead. It was the original battery so I went ahead and replaced it, but it seems there is a drain on the battery when car is not being used. When you start the car the airbag light stays on and every other start a dash light indicating a door/trunk is open stays on(this lt. Is not even shown in owners manual). The power top button lts. When you push it but neither window or the top respond. When you set the time on the dash, sometimes the radio receives the time but sometimes it does not and then the time does not change until the car is turned off and re-started, but does change to the correct time. I first thought it might be a bad ground but have not found one that seems to be defective and that does not explain the constant drain. Finally, when the key is turned off, there is a buzzer that stays on for a good 2-minutes and the car can not be locked until it stops. When it stops you can lock the car remotely. I figured their is probably a lighting control module but I have never heard of one going bad and from what I read it seems it primarily works the exterior lighting system which all seems to be working fine. On that note the interior turn signals in the instrument cluster are not functioning either but the turn signals on the exterior are funtioning properly. Any help would be appreciated as I am out of work at the moment and can not afford to have the car checked out.
Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 AT 1:55 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,601 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like the general control module has gone out (bcm) I would remove the electrical connectors and plug them back in to hopefully fix a bad connection. If that doesn't work I would try a used/rebuilt unit. Here is the location in the diagrams below

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is. Cheers
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Thursday, February 12th, 2009 AT 12:04 AM
Tiny
5393ED
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I had this problem, I was the general control module It cost me $340.00 at the dealer but I will try a used one next time.
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Saturday, December 15th, 2018 AT 11:20 AM
Tiny
JOEY ALLEN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Can you give me an idea of the unit that you installed? I am having trouble figuring out exactly what module you replaced, I have the same issues.
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Sunday, March 21st, 2021 AT 11:26 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,883 POSTS
It is #10 in the diagrams above click to enlarge the image so you can see the location. Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.
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Thursday, March 25th, 2021 AT 9:54 AM

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