Really weird stuff, airbag, radio, blinkers

Ascanio · 10-02-2021, 08:10 PM

Hello everyone,

I pulled the plug and got me a Z4M 2006 roadster.
Paid cheap (for today’s trends) for a 146k miles car with the engine rebuilt 12k miles ago.

I just drove 220miles to go back home to Savannah GA, and o. The way back I noticed really weird behavior.
Cruising at 75MPH I was trying to play with the nav to see if it worked.
GPS lock is wrong, it sees me in the ocean. Meh. But that’s not it.
The Airbag light comes on, for a few seconds, then off again. Then repeat.
While bag light is on, the blinkers don’t work. The auto blinker repeat never works, but sometimes if trying to use blinkers while bag light is coming off, blinkers will stay on for 5 repeats after a long/hard pull on the control (past the physical detent).

The cruise will continue to operate.

The radio nav unit will freeze. Neither the controls on the center dash nor on the steering wheel will work.

For a few seconds. Then it’s all good and dandy.

After a little of this, the Service Engine Soon light came on.

I decided to slow down a bit and eventually cruised for 150miles at 65MPH.
No problem.

I then accelerate towards 75-80MPH and again, all the craziness.

Could the short be something in the engine bay, like the actuator in the intake manifold (I am guessing there is one, correct me if I’m wrong, for variable intake geometry).

Any ideas?

Monday I will go to title office and then to a recommended garage.

kaybat · 10-02-2021, 10:42 PM

I'd start with the battery. These cars do some weird stuff when the battery's on its way out.
Did you get that car from ormond beach?

Ascanio · 10-02-2021, 11:15 PM

Yes it is from Ormond Beach. Florida is beautiful! But boy is it hot…

Much better roads than in Georgia! And Daytona… I guess I will be back there.

BTW the former owner is restoring a Mach1 that is crazy beautiful.

So, first stop is replacing the battery?
I did order an OBD dongle (stupid me I left my expensive one in Italy) to read the code(s) that triggered the Engine Service light

Ascanio · 10-02-2021, 11:18 PM

BTW… the engine takes quite a few revolutions to crank. In YT videos it seems to crank as fast as a Fiat with a 0.9 liter engine.

I don’t mind a long crank, reminds me of exotics like the Lamborghini V12’s… but I do question myself as to what the reason might be.

3002 tii · 10-02-2021, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ascanio

BTW… the engine takes quite a few revolutions to crank. In YT videos it seems to crank as fast as a Fiat with a 0.9 liter engine.

I don’t mind a long crank, reminds me of exotics like the Lamborghini V12’s… but I do question myself as to what the reason might be.

Can’t diagnose engine without codes. Get the car scanned.

Hopefully the motor was rebuilt by reputable shop.

Ascanio · 10-02-2021, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

Can’t diagnose engine without codes. Get the car scanned.

Hopefully the motor was rebuilt by reputable shop.

It reportedly was. Doing a but and ear driven NVH assessment, the engine runs smoothly and pulls aggressively. It might not tell much, but it’s a promising starting point

Clearancediver · 10-03-2021, 11:31 AM

Check alternator voltage output…. Battery voltage when cold…

Also check alt output at 65mph and at higher speeds where you say the issue is…

Basic stuff but always a good starting point when dealing with potential electrical issues.

I would also take drive belt off and put new one on…. Check all pulleys and such for issues and replace if required

kaybat · 10-03-2021, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ascanio

Yes it is from Ormond Beach. Florida is beautiful! But boy is it hot…

Much better roads than in Georgia! And Daytona… I guess I will be back there.

BTW the former owner is restoring a Mach1 that is crazy beautiful.

So, first stop is replacing the battery?
I did order an OBD dongle (stupid me I left my expensive one in Italy) to read the code(s) that triggered the Engine Service light

Is it black or navy blue? I probably saw it around town...

Ascanio · 10-03-2021, 04:57 PM

Black

elerner61 · 10-06-2021, 09:27 AM

With 146K miles on it you should definitely change the alternator and battery (if it's over four years old) and just take those out of the equation. Alternator swap is relatively easy and you don't have to get under the car.

Ascanio · 10-06-2021, 09:42 AM

I just replaced the battery with a Die Heard Platinum H7. The car had a much smaller battery in, 3 years old. It was barely cranking.. especially on a cold start it would take many revolutions to start.
This morning with the new battery it started immediately.

I am also waiting on an ignition switch which I can easily replace.

That should rule out two common and easy things.

Will keep you posted!

CJW2OO4 · 11-07-2021, 12:02 AM

If not the entire alternator I would change the voltage regulator on the alternator. I had the exact same symptoms on my last Z4MC. It's like a $40 part and it solved all my issues

elerner61 · 11-15-2021, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJW2OO4

If not the entire alternator I would change the voltage regulator on the alternator. I had the exact same symptoms on my last Z4MC. It's like a $40 part and it solved all my issues

Good suggestion. https://www.ebay.com/itm/22237535128...0AAOSwnHZYdwNy

Ascanio · 11-15-2021, 04:28 PM

Thanks guys, sorry for the late reply, I must have missed some notifications!

Will try to change the regulator

10-02-2021, 08:10 PM	#1
Ascanio Private 13 Rep 69 Posts Drives: Mazda MX-5, BMW Z4 M Roadster Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Savannah, GA iTrader: (0)	Really weird stuff, airbag, radio, blinkers Hello everyone, I pulled the plug and got me a Z4M 2006 roadster. Paid cheap (for today’s trends) for a 146k miles car with the engine rebuilt 12k miles ago. I just drove 220miles to go back home to Savannah GA, and o. The way back I noticed really weird behavior. Cruising at 75MPH I was trying to play with the nav to see if it worked. GPS lock is wrong, it sees me in the ocean. Meh. But that’s not it. The Airbag light comes on, for a few seconds, then off again. Then repeat. While bag light is on, the blinkers don’t work. The auto blinker repeat never works, but sometimes if trying to use blinkers while bag light is coming off, blinkers will stay on for 5 repeats after a long/hard pull on the control (past the physical detent). The cruise will continue to operate. The radio nav unit will freeze. Neither the controls on the center dash nor on the steering wheel will work. For a few seconds. Then it’s all good and dandy. After a little of this, the Service Engine Soon light came on. I decided to slow down a bit and eventually cruised for 150miles at 65MPH. No problem. I then accelerate towards 75-80MPH and again, all the craziness. Could the short be something in the engine bay, like the actuator in the intake manifold (I am guessing there is one, correct me if I’m wrong, for variable intake geometry). Any ideas? Monday I will go to title office and then to a recommended garage.
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10-02-2021, 10:42 PM	#2
kaybat First Lieutenant 126 Rep 355 Posts Drives: '06 Z4MR, '14 Cayman S Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Ormond Beach,Fl iTrader: (1) Garage List '06 Z4M [0.00]	I'd start with the battery. These cars do some weird stuff when the battery's on its way out. Did you get that car from ormond beach? __________________ Ken B.(BMWCCA/PCA/ZSCCA/SCCA)
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10-02-2021, 11:15 PM	#3
Ascanio Private 13 Rep 69 Posts Drives: Mazda MX-5, BMW Z4 M Roadster Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Savannah, GA iTrader: (0)	Yes it is from Ormond Beach. Florida is beautiful! But boy is it hot… Much better roads than in Georgia! And Daytona… I guess I will be back there. BTW the former owner is restoring a Mach1 that is crazy beautiful. So, first stop is replacing the battery? I did order an OBD dongle (stupid me I left my expensive one in Italy) to read the code(s) that triggered the Engine Service light
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10-02-2021, 11:18 PM	#4
Ascanio Private 13 Rep 69 Posts Drives: Mazda MX-5, BMW Z4 M Roadster Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Savannah, GA iTrader: (0)	BTW… the engine takes quite a few revolutions to crank. In YT videos it seems to crank as fast as a Fiat with a 0.9 liter engine. I don’t mind a long crank, reminds me of exotics like the Lamborghini V12’s… but I do question myself as to what the reason might be.
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10-03-2021, 11:31 AM	#7
Clearancediver Lieutenant 86 Rep 405 Posts Drives: 2004 Z4 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Victoria, BC Canada iTrader: (0)	Check alternator voltage output…. Battery voltage when cold… Also check alt output at 65mph and at higher speeds where you say the issue is… Basic stuff but always a good starting point when dealing with potential electrical issues. I would also take drive belt off and put new one on…. Check all pulleys and such for issues and replace if required __________________ Sent from my smart phone...
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10-03-2021, 04:57 PM	#9
Ascanio Private 13 Rep 69 Posts Drives: Mazda MX-5, BMW Z4 M Roadster Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Savannah, GA iTrader: (0)	Black Attached Images
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10-06-2021, 09:27 AM	#10
elerner61 Major 157 Rep 1,107 Posts Drives: '07 Z4M Roadster Join Date: May 2011 Location: Mount Kisco, NY iTrader: (0)	With 146K miles on it you should definitely change the alternator and battery (if it's over four years old) and just take those out of the equation. Alternator swap is relatively easy and you don't have to get under the car.
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10-06-2021, 09:42 AM	#11
Ascanio Private 13 Rep 69 Posts Drives: Mazda MX-5, BMW Z4 M Roadster Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Savannah, GA iTrader: (0)	I just replaced the battery with a Die Heard Platinum H7. The car had a much smaller battery in, 3 years old. It was barely cranking.. especially on a cold start it would take many revolutions to start. This morning with the new battery it started immediately. I am also waiting on an ignition switch which I can easily replace. That should rule out two common and easy things. Will keep you posted!
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11-07-2021, 12:02 AM	#12
CJW2OO4 Major 148 Rep 1,100 Posts Drives: E86M,M2,F13 E86&E85M,E86,2E46 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Boston iTrader: (4)	If not the entire alternator I would change the voltage regulator on the alternator. I had the exact same symptoms on my last Z4MC. It's like a $40 part and it solved all my issues
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11-15-2021, 04:28 PM	#14
Ascanio Private 13 Rep 69 Posts Drives: Mazda MX-5, BMW Z4 M Roadster Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Savannah, GA iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys, sorry for the late reply, I must have missed some notifications! Will try to change the regulator
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