Need help with a couple of issues on my Z4M

[ALCHEMIST1]

I recently acquired a beautiful red 2006 Z4M. It has very low mileage for its age and looks, smells and drives essentially like a brand new car, so I'm absolutely loving it. However, there are a couple of issues with the car. I'm hoping some of you kind folks can help me with these:

1. The cruise control won't engage at all.
2. The central locking button won't work to lock/unlock the doors. The hazard button next to it works perfectly.
3. Both remote key fobs cannot remotely lock/unlock the car or open the trunk.

I ordered the Carly for BMW diagnostic cable which arrived yesterday. I already have the full app and so I was able to run a full enhanced diagnostic on the car yesterday. However, no fault codes showed up.

Any advice on how to solve these issues is greatly appreciated. Thank you all very much.

[Ponta]

2. & 3.
It seems to me that both your keys are working (if not, you need to charge the key which, generally speaking, needs to be charged while driving)
If so, the only issue with them is to program key fob properly.
Quote from z4 forums UK. I have done programming to one of my previous keys in previous car and it worked, can't remember which one.

BMW Z4 - Key Remote Programming

Three methods to try:

Method 1:

1. Working from within the vehicle and with the doors shut

2. Turn ignition to position 1 and back to off within 5 seconds.

3. Remove the key from ignition and press and hold the unlock button for 15 seconds during this time press the key lock button 3 times within 5 seconds.

4. Release both buttons.

5. Doors will lock and unlock to show correct programming has occurred.



Method 2:

To do this procedure you need to have one working key and one key that needs to be programmed.

1) Get in and close all doors.

2) Turn on the ignition and turn off quickly. (No more than 5 seconds) to start the process. Next action must take place within 30 seconds.

3) Remove the 1st key.

4) Hold the key up near your left shoulder (this is so it is closer to the remote receiver antenna.

5) Hold down the unlock button and press the lock button 3 times. Release the unlock button and the doors lock which confirms the operation.

6) Quickly repeat steps 4 & 5 for key #2 etc.

If it does not work, try doing the keys in opposite order. Key 2 then key 1, vs 1 then 2.

and 3...
You know that to open the trunk you need to HOLD the button for 2 seconds, not just push.

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by ALCHEMIST1

1. The cruise control won't engage at all.

I've owned a Z4M for seven years and I didn't even know it had a cruise control.

Welcome to the club, you now own one of the best cars ever made!

[ALCHEMIST1]

Thanks, ponta, for your response and advice regarding key reprogramming. I did actually try the key recoding process but it did not work. The remotes do not open the doors or trunk (pressing and holding down for a couple of seconds). I think the batteries in both key fobs are still okay and do hold a charge because they get warm after an overnight charge on a Philips sonicare brush base. Is it possible that both keys have lost their ability to be reset/reprogrammed using this procedure? If yes, is there another means of key programming.

Thanks, Nicky C, for those kind words of welcome. My Z4M actually does have the cruise control stalk (very similar to the one on my 05 525i), so I would be surprised if there is no cruise control function on the car. Also, the owners manual appears to indicate that cruise functionality is available on the car. Does your Z4M not have a cruise control stalk on the steering wheel?

[SaltyNC]

Alchemist,

Welcome to the Z4M club. I hope you get a lot of enjoyment out of the car.


I found this in my library:

-----------------------
Method 3:
Alternate if you do not have a working remote
1. Turn key to position 1 five times very quickly
2. Remove key
3. Hold unlock button then press lock button 3 times, release unlock button.
4. If you have another key do the same button pressing within 30 seconds
5. Turn on ignition to finalize.

PLEASE NOTE: This programming procedure programs the remote control part of the key. Any transponder chip for the immobilizer (starting of car) will not be programmed and must be done by a specialist.
-----------------------

I'm probably not telling you anything that you don't already know, but the 2006 Z4M doesn't have a cruise control visual indicator on the dash. I can't even remember how to engage it I use it so rarely, but I think you push the stalk forward to engage it??

Salty

[F360C]

Originally Posted by ALCHEMIST1

I recently acquired a beautiful red 2006 Z4M. It has very low mileage for its age and looks, smells and drives essentially like a brand new car, so I'm absolutely loving it. However, there are a couple of issues with the car. I'm hoping some of you kind folks can help me with these:

1. The cruise control won't engage at all.
2. The central locking button won't work to lock/unlock the doors. The hazard button next to it works perfectly.
3. Both remote key fobs cannot remotely lock/unlock the car or open the trunk.

I ordered the Carly for BMW diagnostic cable which arrived yesterday. I already have the full app and so I was able to run a full enhanced diagnostic on the car yesterday. However, no fault codes showed up.

Any advice on how to solve these issues is greatly appreciated. Thank you all very much.

I would venture to say 2 and 3 are related due to both keys not working or able to be programmed. Which then leads me to thinking there is a problem with the CAS.

You mentioned it is low mileage car for it age... has the car gone dead or battery needed to be replaced recently?

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by ALCHEMIST1

Thanks, Nicky C, for those kind words of welcome. My Z4M actually does have the cruise control stalk (very similar to the one on my 05 525i), so I would be surprised if there is no cruise control function on the car. Also, the owners manual appears to indicate that cruise functionality is available on the car. Does your Z4M not have a cruise control stalk on the steering wheel?

I have no idea, I've never even looked for it!

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by F360C

I would venture to say 2 and 3 are related due to both keys not working or able to be programmed. Which then leads me to thinking there is a problem with the CAS.

You mentioned it is low mileage car for it age... has the car gone dead or battery needed to be replaced recently?

Totally agree that battery or alternator/regulator are always a good place to start. This car is picky about voltage. Ruling that out, then CAS is a good guess. It could also be a bad cutoff switch (disengages cruise when clutch is engaged).

More likely is the GM5 relay module is the flaw with the doors, especially if the wipers/washers aren't working. ALCHEMIST1 , have a look here.

These faults should show up on your scanner assuming it's a module. Failed windshield wipers plus both door locks on central lock plus keys is a good pointer to the GM5. That would make me wonder about the scanner parameters.

To sum up, could be CAS, cruise cutoff switch, GM5, or a bad battery, or some of the mix. I'd start with the battery since that would kind of explain the lack of fault codes. Let us know what you find.

[Ponta]

Maybe this will help a little bit
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-w...ZhbUVzdmc/view

[ALCHEMIST1]

Originally Posted by SaltyNC

Alchemist,

I'm probably not telling you anything that you don't already know, but the 2006 Z4M doesn't have a cruise control visual indicator on the dash. I can't even remember how to engage it I use it so rarely, but I think you push the stalk forward to engage it??

Salty

Oh, see that is something I did not know, Salty. On my 525i you just get the car up to the speed you want and press the little button on the crusie control stalk which engages cruise control. Pushing the stalk forward increases the speed.

It may be different for the Z4M. I haven't tried this. Let me see if pushing the stalk forward will engage the cruise on the Z4M and I'll get back to you later today.

I'll also try method 3 that you suggested which I was not aware of to try and reprogram the key fobs and I'll get back to you later today.

Thanks.

[ALCHEMIST1]

Originally Posted by F360C

You mentioned it is low mileage car for it age... has the car gone dead or battery needed to be replaced recently?

The old owner was obsessive about the battery and never let the car die. The battery is relatively new (replaced six or seven months ago). Voltage readings from it are fine. No fault codes of any kind showed up when I ran a Carly for BMW diagnostic a couple days ago.

[ALCHEMIST1]

Originally Posted by Finnegan

More likely is the GM5 relay module is the flaw with the doors, especially if the wipers/washers aren't working. ALCHEMIST1 , have a look here.

These faults should show up on your scanner assuming it's a module. Failed windshield wipers plus both door locks on central lock plus keys is a good pointer to the GM5. That would make me wonder about the scanner parameters.

To sum up, could be CAS, cruise cutoff switch, GM5, or a bad battery, or some of the mix. I'd start with the battery since that would kind of explain the lack of fault codes. Let us know what you find.

Hi Finnegan, I already considered the GM5 module. I contacted Scott Johnson at the BMWGM5 website and told him about this. He doesn't think there is anything wrong with the GM5 module since everything else (wipers etc.) works just fine. Plus I did not get any fault codes when I ran a Carly diagnostic on the car the other day.

[SaltyNC]

Originally Posted by ALCHEMIST1

Oh, see that is something I did not know, Salty. On my 525i you just get the car up to the speed you want and press the little button on the crusie control stalk which engages cruise control. Pushing the stalk forward increases the speed.

I confirmed in the manual that pushing the stalk forward will set the current speed. Pushing the stalk up or down turns off cruise. The little button recalls the latest speed setting if it had been set previously.

Salty

[ALCHEMIST1]

Originally Posted by ALCHEMIST1

Oh, see that is something I did not know, Salty. On my 525i you just get the car up to the speed you want and press the little button on the crusie control stalk which engages cruise control. Pushing the stalk forward increases the speed.

It may be different for the Z4M. I haven't tried this. Let me see if pushing the stalk forward will engage the cruise on the Z4M and I'll get back to you later today.

Thanks.

Thank you very much, Salty, for letting me know this. It works. Problem #1 is solved. I can confirm that the cruise control on the Z4M engages by pushing the stalk forward - the car considers the speed at which it is going when the stalk is pushed forward as the set speed. Once cruise is engaged, pushing the stalk forward increases the set speed and pulling the stalk back decreases the set speed. On my 525i cruise is engaged by pushing the button at the end of the stalk and I figured it would be same on this car too.
As mentioned by Finnegan, engaging the clutch or depressing the brake pedal, disengages cruise control, so there are no problems with the cutoff switch and everything works as it should for the cruise control system on this car.

I'll try method #3 that you suggested to attempt to code the key fobs in the evening today and let you know if that worked or not.

Again, many thanks, Salty.

[wdb]

Glad to see you got the cruise control figured out. The odd thing to me is that, effectively, cruise control is ALWAYS ON in my two Z4s. Keep that in mind when you're driving.

[chickdr]

The fact neither the lock button on the center console nor your key fobs will lock/unlock suggests something central to the locking system is broken. I do not know what it would be though. Did the previous owner tell you when this issue started?

[ALCHEMIST1]

Originally Posted by chickdr

The fact neither the lock button on the center console nor your key fobs will lock/unlock suggests something central to the locking system is broken. I do not know what it would be though. Did the previous owner tell you when this issue started?

No, the previous owner was somewhat vague about this. I'll ask him again. Thanks.

[ALCHEMIST1]

Originally Posted by SaltyNC

-----------------------
Method 3:
Alternate if you do not have a working remote
1. Turn key to position 1 five times very quickly
2. Remove key
3. Hold unlock button then press lock button 3 times, release unlock button.
4. If you have another key do the same button pressing within 30 seconds
5. Turn on ignition to finalize.

PLEASE NOTE: This programming procedure programs the remote control part of the key. Any transponder chip for the immobilizer (starting of car) will not be programmed and must be done by a specialist.
-----------------------
Salty

I tried this method of recoding the key fobs yesterday, but it did not work. The key fobs still do not lock/unlock the doors or release the trunk. Thanks for suggesting this method, Salty, but it looks like the problem is elsewhere...

[The HACK]

Clutch switch. Door lock module won’t lock/unlock because it thinks the clutch is depressed. So does the cruise control. There’s a short in the switch causing the system to think you’ve got your left foot buried in the pedal.

[SaltyNC]

Check fuses 11 and 30, if you haven't already done that, as well.

Both of those are always hot.

Salty

[ALCHEMIST1]

After trying everything suggested by all the kind folks here, nothing resolved the central locking button inoperative issue. However, something that Scott Johnson had asked me kept nagging at me in the back of my mind. He had asked "Are both the Hazard and locking functions on the button inoperative, or just the locking button?".

The Hazard function works fine, so he didn't think it would be a broken switch. However, I decided to confirm that the switch is intact. Turns out that the switch is broken.

This appears to be a common issue with our cars.

I used a small jeweler's screwdriver to pry out the switch and it looks like the previous owner tried to fix the switch using glue of some sort but did not do a very good job of it. The Hazard half of the switch makes contact with the bottom and so this function works fine, but the central locking button half does not and so depressing this button does exactly nothing. Holding down the bottom of the switch and then depressing the locking button makes it function again and the doors lock and unlock just fine.

The problem now is that the glue has been so injudiciously applied that the connector is physically glued to the switch. I now need to figure out how to get the connector out of the switch so that I can replace the switch with a new one.

See the attached images that show the issue with the switch - the glue shows up all over the switch as a gunky white residue. If anyone has these symptoms in their car, maybe this information will help them...

Now to figure out how to get the connector out of this broken switch. Any ideas, anyone?

[elerner61]

That connector looks similar to the passenger side courtesy light one (that you remove when changing the hvac filter). If I recall, look for a very small, square hole on the wide, flat side and insert a sharp pick into that and pull the connector free. Hate that courtesy light one!