instrument cluster works when it wants to - CAM BUS error communication with instrumentation cluster

[gazza]

howzit Fanatics.....

its been awhile.... but i need your help.
2009 BMW X3 E83.
2.0D Xdrive Auto

i have just had the turbo system upgraded
standard factory turbo still (Mitsubishi)
aftermarket alu intercooler
stainless pipes

so while she was standing we had the battery on charge so there was no issues with a dead cell or anything like that.
my problem is as follows
Day 1
drove out of the shop, and noticed the dash light was not on even though i had switched my lights on.
indicators/ hazzards switched on but no clicking sound and not displaying on the dash.
computer screen opened up but did not switch on.
15 to 20 mins into the drive everything started working....

Day 2 i decided to take it back to the shop so we can have a look
no dash light
no indicators/ hazards on the dash or sound, but the lights on the outside still worked.
no radio
no computer screen....

plugged in the OBD diagnostics
no faults besides the transfer case actuator (but thats been like that for a loooong time, way before this)
then started the car, ran the diagnostic machine and it brought up 48D2
when i checked it was CAM - Communication with instrument cluster.
after we ran the test, we checked voltage of the battery, 14V and alternator using 40 odd percent of its resource, from what i understand that should be right.
we decided that ill run the car to make sure the turbo side was right and we would look into this problem on the electrical side.
as i was leaving i decided to close the windows..... still no dash lights, radio, screen etc and bang.... now the windows are not working... WTF they were working 30 mins prior to this.

now, i dont know where to start looking for issues.
broken wires, loose earth... relays... i have no clue.
if someone could assist with this, where to even look.

 

[Blue Shirt]

Perhaps some rats decided to chew on the wiring harness while the car was standing? Look for damage to the wiring harness in the engine bay or other exposed areas.

Also check that no fuses are burnt out.

 

[NBN]

Sounds like an FRM issue to me. Consider re-programming it before you look into more expensive fixes

 

[gazza]

Sounds like an FRM issue to me. Consider re-programming it before you look into more expensive fixes

howzit,

makes sense... sort of.
do you know how to reset/ program or where i could send it in?

 

[momo1]

i would also get the battery tested for good measure, remove , charge , test and refit

 

[gazza]

i would also get the battery tested for good measure, remove , charge , test and refit

remove and refit done...... OBD machine said battery was strong, but will take it to a battery place for 2nd opinion.
when the car is idling its sitting at about 14V however if the battery is boogered then it blows that out of the water.

 

[Kyle]

Yup, check battery health and then FRM...

Is it possible that the car was jump started at the shop? If so, likely an issue with the FRM. But could still be battery related, might have lost a cell while the car was sitting, or the charger used at the shop wasn't correct for the battery.

For interests sake, how old is the current battery in there?

 

[gazza]

Yup, check battery health and then FRM...

Is it possible that the car was jump started at the shop? If so, likely an issue with the FRM. But could still be battery related, might have lost a cell while the car was sitting, or the charger used at the shop wasn't correct for the battery.

For interests sake, how old is the current battery in there?

I will take the battery to a place for a test to make sure. The battery was bought middle of 2019.
They said they kept my battery on charge so they wouldn't have to jump start it.... Because I made such an issue out of it. I know if the battery is slightly off it's causing havoc. But I'll still take the battery for a test.

 

[Kyle]

I will take the battery to a place for a test to make sure. The battery was bought middle of 2019.
They said they kept my battery on charge so they wouldn't have to jump start it.... Because I made such an issue out of it. I know if the battery is slightly off it's causing havoc. But I'll still take the battery for a test.

Yeah good plan, let us know how it goes...

 

[gazza]

howzit guys

just spoke to the guys that have my car, they had some BMW clued up guy there.... he says that my car doesnt have a footwell module... can anyone confirm this?

 

[Kyle]

I know the E46 had a GM5 module, not sure if it’s the same on an E83…

 

[Tinuva]

The footwell module was on the e90+ cars.

 

[gazza]

alright ladies.... i report back with no luck.

car was sent to an auto electrician, who ran through it and reported back that one of the BCM (body control module) had buggered out.
after some work he managed to get the radio, cluster, windows, computer screen and everything to work lekker except for the windscreen wipers.
they would only go on after numerous on and off switches and only turn off if i opened the window.
back to the auto sparky....
he has done his best, but says with the programing limitations this is not working....
so im back at square 1.

anybody know any more about these body control modules?

 

[Steph745]

Is the BCM not the equivalent of an FRM? If yes it would have to be replaced and coded accordingly.

 

[gazza]

This is the thing, few people have said this and as well as said different....
Anybody know of a place here JHB side.