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DISCUSSION => Electrical => Topic started by: melloh on February 27, 2007, 07:09:21 PM

Title: Electronic Gremlins
Post by: melloh on February 27, 2007, 07:09:21 PM

Okay, so most of you  have seen my post on the intermittent idling problem.  Also cropping up are some other wierd electronic problems.  I have no idea if related or not.

Recent Symptoms:

1) SRS light above center mirror flashes when I start the car, and then stays lit after a few minutes.  Started/noticed this within the last couple weeks

2) After car has been sitting (overnight), clock would reset.  But, radio stations NOT reset.  Noticed this sometime last week.  TODAY, after sitting overn ight, the clock AND the radio reset.

3)  Happened only during one drive 5-6 weeks ago - flashing High Beams would cut power (releasing HB would regaind power).  It has not happened since.  Even when it was occuring, it was intermittent (say 30% of the time I flashed).

Older symptoms:

1) Brake lining light lit - even if sensors (brand new) were attached.  Mechanic said its probably a prob in the dash.

2) Fuel guage inaccurate (can actually see it scoot back and forth a few degrees sometimes.)  It works in the sense that it is full when the tank is full, just inaccurate and fluctuates.


Any ideas??  First thing I'm gong to try is to swap a known good battery.

Title: Electronic Gremlins
Post by: 1991 E30 M42 on February 27, 2007, 09:33:05 PM

Si board batteries, sending unit, have you ever set off your air bags?

Title: Electronic Gremlins
Post by: melloh on February 27, 2007, 10:09:24 PM

Not to my knowledge (but I've only owned the car for 3 years).

Title: Electronic Gremlins
Post by: magnum2066 on February 28, 2007, 08:11:05 AM

Mine does that time to time as well.. (SRS light.)  I just ignore it.  MY airbag was never deployed so in my case it's normal.

Title: Electronic Gremlins
Post by: ak96ss on February 28, 2007, 09:31:03 AM

The highbeam thing may be a ground problem - check your wiring for the headlights.

I replaced my headlight harness entirely. Well, not really - what I did was run new wire directly from the + battery post to the headlights via a relay. When I turn on the headlights, the stock wiring energizes the relay and the headlights get power directly from the + battery terminal. Lights are a little brighter this way, and the headlight switch is no longer carrying the full electrical load of the headlights.