Should I run away?? I'm about to purchase a 325ix with a weird electrical issue...

[audiquattrot]

I was hoping someone here can let me know the extent or cause of this is. Supposedly it doesn't affect the driveability in any way.

The car in question has an issue where when you turn the headlights on, the CEL light pops up. This & the SRS (airbag) light intermittently come on.

Should I run away or is this something that can easily be rectified. I did a search, and found a thread on bimmerforums of someone who had the same issue, but no replies.

[jlevie]

Does the CEL illuminate if the engine is off? If it only happens when the engine is running I'd wan to know if there are any stored fault codes in the DME and what they are.

The CEL issue could be some wiring fault or something else. The SRS issue could be something as simple as a bad connection or something more complex. More investigation is needed.

[Adrian_Visser]

This is the red check engine light or the flashing yellow light in the centre of the cluster?

The flashing yellow light is NOT the check engine light it just means that the check panel is detecting a fault i.e. possibly a problem with the headlights.

[Ian F]

depends... how patient are you? how much time do you have? how well can you read a wiring diagram?

[StereoInstaller1]

depends... How patient are you? How much time do you have? How well can you read a wiring diagram?

x11

[nando]

yeah, is it the check panel light, or the check engine light? does it go away when you press the brakes? this seems to confuse people.

dunno about the SRS light. The problems sound minor if the car is otherwise mint, but walk away if it has other significant mechanical issues. a poor condition ix is not something you want to get into.

[TrentW]

If it doesn't affect the way the car drives, cut two pieces of black electrical tape the same size as the warning lights you're referring to and apply over said lights. Fixed.




Just kidding.

[naplesE30]

Every srs car I have driven has the srs light flashing, most just pull the bulb as its not worth fixing. From what Ive read it flashes to have your 20yr old airbag checked, as it should be replaced being so old..... some guys have even gone to the dealer and it stumped the dealer. Worst case, your airbag goes off in your face while cruising down the road.

If its a flashing CHECK light its prob related to your headlights as Adrian said if you press the check button it should clear or keep it from flashing.