BMW Alarm/Indicator issue

Post Mon Nov 14, 2011 1:01 pm

I've been having a few electical gremlins with my touring. Within a few days of buying it when using the remote central locking the N/S indicators were staying on solid after it flashed when locking. I replaced what was an aftermarket relay on the control stalk and that seemed to clear it initially.

It has done this a few times since but has either gone after a couple of unlocks and locks or just a quick disconnect of the battery, had got to the point were i wasn't using the remote central locking.

Then the other night i caught the button locking it and now all the indicators are staying on and nothing is clearing it, they are back on as soon as i reconnect the battery.

I can hear some clicking from behind the glovebox when locking/unlocking so i'm assuming that's another relay, just not had chance to strip it down since Saturday. Is this a possibility? Also this is over riding the indicators, just get one relay click when i try to use them.

Also the alarm is an original BMW which i hope means it'll be easier to sort outas i understand these just plug into the loom, shouldn't be any nasty scotch lock type nasties i hope.

Post Mon Nov 14, 2011 3:19 pm

The indicator flashing when you lock/unlock the car is nothing to do with the indicator 'relay' on the steering column. The flashing is generated in the alarm module.
There are relays inside the module that produce the flash, and either the relay is faulty (look for build up on the contacts) or the electronics driving it is acting up.

Post Mon Nov 14, 2011 3:23 pm

Yea i thought that once i realised the clicking was from behind the glovebox. Think the previous relay change was a coincidence and maybe the fact i'd disconnected the battery at the time.

I'll have a look at the alarm module once i'm off shift later in the week.

Post Wed Dec 14, 2011 7:46 pm

Finally had a play with this today, shoudl've read this bofore hand as i was looking all other the place for relays, never thought to open up the box

Will pull the module apart tomorrow.

I did pull out the 2 7.5 amp fuses that are in the alarm loom and they've cleared the indicator fault and the remote central locking still works.

Post Tue Oct 23, 2012 9:24 pm

I'd like to resurrect this thread as I'm having the exact same problem. BMW alarm, indicators staying on solid. It has been an intermittent issue for a while, the indicators clearing after switching on and off a few times. Tonight, however it was having none of it. After about 20 attempts I got the glovebox opened up...

I had the module open for a look but being in the footwell while it was getting dark didn't make the job very easy. I did find a very small wire on the lower board that had come loose - it had been soldered to a little brass upright. I rejoined it, reconnected the battery and tested the remote closure. All working, great, so I closed everything up and rebuilt the mess under the dash.

Just about to head off and thought I'll give it another lock/unlock cycle to make sure. Ah feck! Indicators on solid again. They did go off after the usual on off on off with the fob but it obviously isn't fixed.

If I pull the two 7.5A fuses as mentioned in the above post will the alarm/closure still work as normal but without the indicator flash?

Post Fri Oct 26, 2012 12:19 pm

Well I've answered my own question and confirmed what Kedge stated. I removed the fuses and the rest works as normal. I can live without the indicators flashing if it avoids a repeat of the other night. Maybe one day I'll have a go at identifying and fixing the suspected faulty relay...