Greydog

Morning James I am not aware of a solenoid on the shifter there is an interlock cable but the shift/selector mechanism is divorced from the gearbox. Have a look at www.realoem.com put the last 7 digits of your Vin in the search box it will bring up your model then look at the relevant sections. This is a BMW online parts list so you can make sure you have the correct part for your car. Also look at www.newtis.info this one is a BMW technical information site the same information as BMW Dealers use how too's repair information etc. The solenoids are are normally in the mechatronic control unit inside the gearbox. ZF advise service intervals of 50 to 80k Km. BMW in their wisdom say "sealed for life" (for life read end of BMW warranty) so depending on how many miles your car has done it really does need a change. if not on miles on age. I assume there were no bad changes or slipping in gears if not then a fluid and filter change may be all you need, however a fluid change cant fix damaged units. A ZF agent or specialist will be able to test the operation of all solenoids and give better advise I would look for a good autobox specialist preferably ZF experienced or agent. Dave

I love free fixes

Hi Ian The first codes are glow plug related (I would think you have at least 2 glow plugs down) the next 3 are I would think EGR valve related (if my translation is correct so it could be a problem with your toaster??) Last one I remember reading about a recall or technical bulletin to do with this (I don't have a diesel so ) Depending on how many miles your beasty has covered your glow plugs (pre-heating system) could well be past it's best, if it has just been teracleaned I would hope the EGR valve is clean? Or has an EGR delete blanking plate been fitted? First step I would take is reset all the fault codes then run the engine and see what if anything returns, then deal with that. If mileage is high I would consider changing the glow plugs and the glow plug controller plus clean the EGR valve and make sure it is operating correctly. Check www.newtis.info for service information and how too's I hope this helps Dave

Morning Johnny Didn't you know the initials BMW stand for Break My Wallet Buying a reader is not just a good step, it's essential. There are many generic readers which will give generic codes but they will not be able to read specific modules on the BMW bus system so tracking faults is harder. So will need a reader with software that is BMW specific or enabled. Foxpro or Autologic but these are professional standard and carry the price tag. If you have a laptop I would look at BMW 1.4.0 (take a look on line) it is about £15 and once loaded you can read individual control modules (there are 3 pages though not all are applicable to your model) The other I would consider is INPA very comprehensive though I found it a pain to load plus the diagnostics are in German so a bit of translation could be required. That said it is very good I just prefer 1.4.0 as it gives the same information but in English. Both may program's are 10+ years old so current versions are quite probably more user friendly. Where are you in the UK you may be near a member who has a Code reader? I am in Sussex Dave

Morning Steve The tilt on reverse function is controlled from the mirror/window control panel on the drivers door. I would guess you have sat in the drivers seat and adjusted the mirrors and seat? When adjusting the mirrors you have left the selector switch set to the drivers door mirror side, slide it back to the passenger side and it should tilt on reverse again. Dave

Morning Steve Welcome to the Forum enjoy your new (to you) car, with some TLC it will give you many years of service. Good maintenance is the key whether DIY or at a Garage, plenty of help and knowledge here if needed ENJOY Dave

Morning Zennon Get the codes read your issue could be spark plugs or an air leak and a load of things in between. Find a good independent garage or BMW specialist and get then to run a diagnostic check. It will save money in the long run. Dave

Hi Mark Good catch with the fuel line you can do without that snagging something!! "This Forum seems very unused and quite" ??? Dave

Hi David If your tyres are square set up same size front and rear make sure they are at least from the same manufacturer or you are risking transmission wind up and damage to the transfer box. Fingers crossed you catch it in time Dave

Morning Phil I looked at Carly and found the hidden costs and quite frankly a poor customer support a total pain I believe that even when you have the cables you need the subscription for analysis. I use BMW 1.4.0 loaded on an old laptop for Diagnosis no hidden costs and it give all diagnostic information in English Inpa tends to use German not a show stopper it is quicker not needing translation both are one cost items. Hope this helps Dave

Test the switch it will be (a) normally open or (b) normally closed then check against your original switches. Check the original switch, from memory they are normally open and when at their extent of travel (Mirror Out) give a Ground signal. At extent of travel (Mirror Closed) no signal. Both door mirrors have to provide the same signal via the bus system to the Control module or they won't work and the default is open. Your car at 2005 should be Ibus (Coms) and Kbus communication between modules, later cars are Most bus so signal values are completely different. Are the new mirrors for a newer model? Your car mirrors are linked through the (a) drivers door window control module (b) seat memory adjustment module to (c) the ZKE general control module, is the drivers door module OK is the seat control module functioning correctly? Dumb question there is power to the door mirrors? Have a look at www.newtis.info for wiring diagrams but without knowing how the new mirrors are configured we are just "guessing" which is not good. Personally I would take out one of the original switches get the part number from it plus any other ID marks and try people like Radio Shack or RS components (Maplins aren't around any more) even the switch manufactures and get replacements they wont be expensive and you will be able to get them working. Send the others back and ask for your money back or sell them on. Probably not what you want to hear but that would be my course of action.

Hi Johnny Have you read the codes stored and reset them also your car may think it has a new battery and I know certain models need the battery registering. My car is to old and is happy to have a battery at all!! I have read that an unregistered battery can have all s sorts of odd effects from no start to no charging, I would start with a code read and reset then register the battery. Dave

Your Chinese switches will be probably have 3 wires the function of the 2 wire switch in your original mirrors registers the parking position at extent of travel only back to the mirror controller. If you are very lucky you may by testing discover if you can get the same signal function by trying combinations of two wires on the new mirrors but without knowing what spec the switch is it would be speculation. As would swapping switches from the old mirrors to new, mounting will probably be different. I brought micro switches which matched the original switches from Maplins, I know they are gone now but radio shack or similar will surely help. My switches were £3 each back when I brought them, I did have a problem with a broken mounting pin in the mounting cover I fixed that by drilling and a small screw and some super glue as insurance. As I said I also added a small circuit with 2 relays and a timer relay which gives me fold on lock and unfold on unlock.

The display isues you speak of are they with the new head unit or the OBC functions in the binacle between the rev counter and speedo. If your putting the mid back it's the little one that goes to the mid, it needs extending so it will reach the glove box feed it through and plug the mid back in you should then be able to reset the time/date and the other functions will be back in the binacle.

It depends on your starting point if you have the basic Business radio set up there will be a large quadloc connector behind the radio with a small spur to the mid these need extending so the Mid can be moved to the glove box. If however you have the screen and Nav up front then the Quadloc is in the boot under the spare wheel you will need an extension to conect your new Head unit to the speakers power etc. I downloaded pinout drawings from the internet for the mid and the quadloc in the boot then used some of the redundant head unit wiring to connect the mid I will see if I can find the pinouts for you

Morning Steve I assume you have the hand books and are trying to find a repair manual. There are no Haynes manuals but there is the Bentley Manual which you may find for sale they tend to be expensive though. However there are some superb websites you can use for free and download and print information as you need it or as I do sit the laptop on the bench and read from the screen. (1) www.realoem.com If you aren't already aware this is an online BMW parts website, put the last 7 digits of your Vin Number into the search box and it will bring up your model then just search for your part it has small exploded drawings plus the important part number for replacement. (2) www.newtis.info This is an online BMW Technical Information site the same as used by Dealers plenty of "how too's" and drawings as well as pictures (3) www.pelicanparts.com This is a US site so the steering wheel will be on the wrong side but some well documented "how too's" with pictures at each stage. The only thing you won't find is anything on the Diesel engine the Yanks think Diesels go in lorrys. Its frustrating that due to the different laws in the US they get all this information that BMW guard in Europe still good old Google gets over that issue. Good Luck enjoy your X5 Dave

First I have owned this X5 for 10+ years and in that time suffered 1 puncture and that was a slow puncture, so my experience is that a puncture with modern tyres is fairly rare. I went to the tyre shop and the fitter said "sorry mate we can't repair it as it is close to the edge" as my car has the complication of being 4x4 and a staggered wheel set up plus having suffered the consequence of mismatched tyres on my previous X5 what to do? Do I buy 1 tyre (tyre fitter happy to sell 1) or 2 either choice may give rolling radius issues and cause transmission damage? Do I buy 4, that would please the fitter. Or do I put the goo in and inflate the tyre which I am told is scrap anyway. Yep I put the goo in and it covered another 5k before I had to change all 4 due to wear. I think the biggest danger to tyres is side wall damage from damn potholes (current favorite hobby horse) we have section of road locally which is like a plowed field, it has cost a neighbour 3 tyres and no compensation as the holes are marked!! You just can't see them when it has rained and they look like a puddle? I have seen the plug repair kits but have never tried them so can't comment, but I do know the goo worked for me that was about 6 years ago now. I do tow a horse trailer and go mildly off road so my tyres do get proper use and this is the second set since the "puncture" I guess we all read as much as we can to gain information and then make our decision that is all we can do Dave

Have a look at www.pelicanparts.com it is an American site but apart from the steering wheel being in the wrong place their how too's are great with photographs. Also look at www.newtis.info it is a BMW Technical Information site, the same information used by dealers. Dave

I put a Dynavin unit in my 4.4 when I had that and lost the OBC I read up that others with the standard set up (ie no screen up front retained the MID unit which allows the OBC to function as normal. My 4.4 had a screen with CD Nav and TV units in the boot which became redundant like yours. I got a mid unit from Ebay then spliced it into the loom left up front and left it in the glove box Dynavin worked great and I could still use the OBC. If I can find it I will post the wiring diagram

Space saver spare is restricted speed and only a limp to a garage job and as your car is rear wheel drive it wont matter as long as it meets the spec in your hand book. My fat X5 I carry a couple of cans of tyre goo and a small compressor (BMW actually do the same as a kit) Mine cost about a 1/3rd of their price.

My sons "man flu" yesterday was alcohol induced on Saturday night 🤑

Morning Steve My X5 is real old tech so I my Ipod is connected through the Aux input by a wire!! However if you can download the Spotify App it doesn't make sense it is restricted, unless the car download is somehow a short version not the full app? I would delete and try again have you tried asking Spotify/Apple if they know why they may have a work around. Dave

As previous did you check pressures?

Morning Martin Did you check the tyre pressures? Run flats have strengthened side walls so may not visibly look as though they are flat. The software can be fickle so regular tyre pressure test are the safest in my opinion.

Clearly from your answer you know what your doing and I don't. So crack on son with your cheap Chinese mirrors that won't work unless yo modify them may as well have searched a little and brought new micro switches for the old mirrors? As an old fool who knows nothing I changed my micro switches and by adding a small circuit (my design) so my mirrors open on unlock and close on lock but still have the button function if needed.but then I did do that 10 years ago when I added CCFL halo's and see you home lights as well