getting random warnings on 2000 740il

i recently had to jump start my car. it started fine. 1 day later,
"trans fail safe prog" and "check brake linings" came on. also my
steering column randomly started adjusting up and down, while
driving. also, my brake light came on. now my radio and cruise
control work when they feel like it. when i restart it goes away for
a little bit, but then a warning light goes. the car drives fine.

was this from a high voltage surge that fried something???

how can i fix this? and how much might it cost???

On 2 Apr 2007 19:25:44 -0700, wrote:

>i recently had to jump start my car. it started fine. 1 day later,
>"trans fail safe prog" and "check brake linings" came on. also my
>steering column randomly started adjusting up and down, while
>driving. also, my brake light came on. now my radio and cruise
>control work when they feel like it. when i restart it goes away for
>a little bit, but then a warning light goes. the car drives fine.
>
>was this from a high voltage surge that fried something???
>
>how can i fix this? and how much might it cost???


Suggest that you get a fault read-out either from an independent or BMW dealer -
cost about £40 or $80.................

wrote:

> i recently had to jump start my car. it started fine. 1 day later,
> "trans fail safe prog" and "check brake linings" came on. also my
> steering column randomly started adjusting up and down, while
> driving. also, my brake light came on. now my radio and cruise
> control work when they feel like it. when i restart it goes away for
> a little bit, but then a warning light goes. the car drives fine.
>
> was this from a high voltage surge that fried something???

Unfortunately - yes - if you saw a spark when you connected the jumper -
it may have caused a high-voltage pulse through the electrical system.

One question - have you replaced the battery? BMWs are notorious for
having all sorts of bizarre electronic problems when the battery is
going bad.

If you have - unfortunately then the other scenario may be the cause of
your problems.

BTW - what warning light is coming on? If it's the one that looks like a
battery - you have a bad alternator.. which could be the reason you
needed the jump start to begin with.

> how can i fix this? and how much might it cost???

The fix involves replacing the effected components. Depending on which
components are involved - the new replacement cost may exceed the value
of your 740i. Used components/modules are certainly an option - but
they may have to be re-coded by a dealer with the GT1 diagnostics system
for them to work in your car (many of them are vehicle specific - right
down to the VIN#.)

In article .com>,
> wrote:
> i recently had to jump start my car. it started fine. 1 day later,
> "trans fail safe prog" and "check brake linings" came on. also my
> steering column randomly started adjusting up and down, while
> driving. also, my brake light came on. now my radio and cruise
> control work when they feel like it. when i restart it goes away for
> a little bit, but then a warning light goes. the car drives fine.

> was this from a high voltage surge that fried something???

> how can i fix this? and how much might it cost???

I'd first check the voltage at the battery with the engine running - it
should be 13.8 near enough spot on. 'Trans fail' is often the first
indication of the voltage being low. Be worth having the battery checked
too - some say a faulty one can cause this even although the running
voltage appears normal.

Do - or have these done - first, before getting involved in expensive
engine diagnostics etc. Simple things first. ;-)

--
*Never underestimate the power of very stupid people in large groups *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

> wrote in message
oups.com...
>i recently had to jump start my car. it started fine. 1 day later,
> "trans fail safe prog"

this is normally a sign of low volts from your battery, and er it went
flat - perhaps it is dud and time to replace it?

> and "check brake linings" came on. also my
> steering column randomly started adjusting up and down, while
> driving. also, my brake light came on. now my radio and cruise
> control work when they feel like it. when i restart it goes away for
> a little bit, but then a warning light goes. the car drives fine.
>
> was this from a high voltage surge that fried something???
>
> how can i fix this? and how much might it cost???
>

"Dave Plowman (News)" > wrote in message
...

> In article .com>,
> > wrote:
>> i recently had to jump start my car. it started fine. 1 day later,
>> "trans fail safe prog" and "check brake linings" came on. also my
>> steering column randomly started adjusting up and down, while
>> driving. also, my brake light came on. now my radio and cruise
>> control work when they feel like it. when i restart it goes away for
>> a little bit, but then a warning light goes. the car drives fine.
>
>> was this from a high voltage surge that fried something???
>
>> how can i fix this? and how much might it cost???
>
> I'd first check the voltage at the battery with the engine running - it
> should be 13.8 near enough spot on. 'Trans fail' is often the first
> indication of the voltage being low. Be worth having the battery checked
> too - some say a faulty one can cause this even although the running
> voltage appears normal.
>
> Do - or have these done - first, before getting involved in expensive
> engine diagnostics etc. Simple things first. ;-)
>


I had an '01 750 ... the 12 cylinder one. It had two batteries ... one to
start the car and the other to run all the electronics. Both went dead
after the car sat in storage for 6 months. Expensive dubbers to replace at
BMW.

RCE

On Apr 3, 1:43 pm, "Dave Plowman (News)" > wrote:
> In article .com>,
> > wrote:
>
> > i recently had to jump start my car. it started fine. 1 day later,
> > "trans fail safe prog" and "check brake linings" came on. also my
> > steering column randomly started adjusting up and down, while
> > driving. also, my brake light came on. now my radio and cruise
> > control work when they feel like it. when i restart it goes away for
> > a little bit, but then awarninglight goes. the car drives fine.
> > was this from a high voltage surge that fried something???
> > how can i fix this? and how much might it cost???
>
> I'd first check the voltage at the battery with the engine running - it
> should be 13.8 near enough spot on. 'Trans fail' is often the first
> indication of the voltage being low. Be worth having the battery checked
> too - some say a faulty one can cause this even although the running
> voltage appears normal.
>
> Do - or have these done - first, before getting involved in expensive
> engine diagnostics etc. Simple things first. ;-)
>
> --
> *Never underestimate the power of very stupid people in large groups *
>
> Dave Plowman London SW
> To e-mail, change noise into sound.


i checked the voltage and it says 12.3....is that too low??

In article . com>,
> wrote:
> > I'd first check the voltage at the battery with the engine running -
> > it should be 13.8 near enough spot on. 'Trans fail' is often the first
> > indication of the voltage being low. Be worth having the battery
> > checked too - some say a faulty one can cause this even although the
> > running voltage appears normal.
> >
> > Do - or have these done - first, before getting involved in expensive
> > engine diagnostics etc. Simple things first. ;-)


> i checked the voltage and it says 12.3....is that too low??

If you followed the instructions in my post - above - what do you think?

--
*If a mute swears, does his mother wash his hands with soap?

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
> In article . com>,
> > wrote:
>
>>>I'd first check the voltage at the battery with the engine running -
>>>it should be 13.8 near enough spot on. 'Trans fail' is often the first
>>>indication of the voltage being low. Be worth having the battery
>>>checked too - some say a faulty one can cause this even although the
>>>running voltage appears normal.
>>>
>>>Do - or have these done - first, before getting involved in expensive
>>>engine diagnostics etc. Simple things first. ;-)
>
>
>
>>i checked the voltage and it says 12.3....is that too low??
>
>
> If you followed the instructions in my post - above - what do you think?
>

Dave,

I'm not an auto mechanic, although I do play one at home with the missus
on occasion, but I would say that 12.3 volts is significantly below 13.8
volts.

What do I win?

--
-Fred W

In article >,
Fred W > wrote:
> >>i checked the voltage and it says 12.3....is that too low??
> >
> >
> > If you followed the instructions in my post - above - what do you
> > think?
> >

> Dave,

> I'm not an auto mechanic, although I do play one at home with the missus
> on occasion, but I would say that 12.3 volts is significantly below 13.8
> volts.

> What do I win?

A gallon of single malt. Due to air freight regs the liquid contents can't
be sent, though.

--
*Santa's helpers are subordinate clauses*

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.