Had my S updated to v38 the other day hoping to cure the yo-yo. Well, it still yo-yos (not really surprised) but at least I can enjoy the less-intrusive traction control. Anyways, yesterday I flip on the air (manual) & the compressor won't engage - just get the blinking light on the button. I don't recall having used the air since the flash. The fan works. Checked some fuses & relays & they seem in order.

Out of curiosity, I ran the gauge diagnostic-test-thingy (key in pos. 1, hold trip reset button until "test" 1 is displayed, release button then press it once briefly, display shows "test 2", release button, test will run itself). Normally, all the idiot lights light (I think), all the needles span, & the blinker & seatbelt noisemakers make their respective noises. My car does all that except for the following: The speedo, temp, & fuel gauges don't span, & the first, second, & fourth idiot lights (from top left) on the speedo face don't light.

I tried disconnecting the battery for awhile then turning the key to "on" for 10 seconds (to reset ecu). No change. I have a call in to the dealer. Anyone experience this or have inside info?
Peace - Bodinski

 

I think you have a shot compressor.

 

I did the battery disconnect yet again. This time though, I unplugged & re-seated the plugs on the ECU while the battery was unhooked. PROBLEM SOLVED! My gauges still don't test span like before, but they seem to work fine whilst running.
Yippee! - Bodinski

 

Well, I have air, but now no cruise. I get two flashes of the cruise indicator, then nothing. And a service engine soon light (since the next start after I got the a/c back) as an added perk.
Before the flash, I had the erratic idle thing once or twice. I got it twice yesterday, and it took two tries to start this morning (not uncommon for this car before the flash). I'm thinking maybe the gas I got yesterday (Phillips, never used it before) could be the idle/start culprit, but there is obviously something else afoot. Could something have gone wrong with the ecu update?
I heard Autozone will read the error codes for free. I'm gonna get that done 1st thing Monday (working all day today). I'm currently playing phone tag with my SA. Gotta get this ironed out before driving school this coming Sunday!

 

chapter 38.0: body by BMW, soul by Lucas...

On a whim, I unplugged every fuse in the car, one at a time, looked at them, put them back in. All looked fine. When I turned the key on afterward, The outside temp gauge re-initialized (like it does when the ecu is reset). I started the car, and lo & behold the SES goes out and the cruise control is back! I shut it off & did the gauge test thing again - no change there (as described in original post). Otherwise (knock wood!) all is OK!.

Can someone with v38 humour me and test their gauges? I would very much appreciate it!

Thanks for listening - Bodinski

 

damn, your car's playing games with ya! hahaha!!! sorry,

just too funny.