Please help a Newbie !!

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   Hi Folks and Happy New Year !
I have just joined BMWCC, so this is my first post. I have a couple of BMW's (2000 540iA & 1995 525i SE) and love driving them, but I am the first to admit that I know diddly squat about what goes on under the bonnet !!!
I have problems with each of them at the moment, and wondered if anyone could enlighten me . . .  the yellow Engine Light came on on my 540iA yesterday (I have only had it a few weeks and know it was stood for about 4 months before I bought it), and the car has started to 'shudder' and appears to have lost a lot of power. The fuel was very,very low and a friend told me it might have pulled some crap through from the bottom of the fuel tank. Does this sound right, and what should I do ?
Secondly, my 525i SE uses a lot of water and has overheated a few times. I've had it 8 months, and it has always come up with 'Check Coolant Level' every time you start and turn off the car (regardless of the actual coolant level), but goes when you are actually driving. Also, when I put the lights on, the computer tells me that all sorts of lights are out, when I know they are O.K.  I just want to get this car 'right' so I can sell it.
I was thinking of booking both cars into either BMTec, Salford, or BayMoW, Stockport, as various posts look like these may be two good local options for me, but want to appear that I know a little bit about what I'm talking about when I do !!!
Any replies would be greatly appreciated !!

Cheers,
Big Ade
Cheadle, Cheshire

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BigAde Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 02-January-2006 Location: Cheadle, Cheshire Status: Offline Points: 14	Topic: Please help a Newbie !! Posted: 02-January-2006 at 06:30
	Hi Folks and Happy New Year ! I have just joined BMWCC, so this is my first post. I have a couple of BMW's (2000 540iA & 1995 525i SE) and love driving them, but I am the first to admit that I know diddly squat about what goes on under the bonnet !!! I have problems with each of them at the moment, and wondered if anyone could enlighten me . . . the yellow Engine Light came on on my 540iA yesterday (I have only had it a few weeks and know it was stood for about 4 months before I bought it), and the car has started to 'shudder' and appears to have lost a lot of power. The fuel was very,very low and a friend told me it might have pulled some crap through from the bottom of the fuel tank. Does this sound right, and what should I do ? Secondly, my 525i SE uses a lot of water and has overheated a few times. I've had it 8 months, and it has always come up with 'Check Coolant Level' every time you start and turn off the car (regardless of the actual coolant level), but goes when you are actually driving. Also, when I put the lights on, the computer tells me that all sorts of lights are out, when I know they are O.K. I just want to get this car 'right' so I can sell it. I was thinking of booking both cars into either BMTec, Salford, or BayMoW, Stockport, as various posts look like these may be two good local options for me, but want to appear that I know a little bit about what I'm talking about when I do !!! Any replies would be greatly appreciated !! Cheers, Big Ade Cheadle, Cheshire

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GraemeH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member I Joined: 03-November-2005 Location: At the beach, North Wales Status: Offline Points: 125	Posted: 02-January-2006 at 06:40
	On the 525, I'd get hoses etc checked asap. If you've overheated, once head goes, you'll be in big trouble re: getting it right. So is somewhat pressing; I reckon you're right. I had a 740 that overheated and it as merely thermostat; but a 525 that overheated and it was head. When head was fixed for some weeks it still came up with "coolant level low". This turned out to be sensor related. Anyway, if it runs okay, my thoughts would be hoses. . . PS: on 540, I'd say the analysis sounds possible. However, it also made me think of fuel pump. Others will know more, I've no doubt!


nn_dd Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 07-October-2004 Location: Co Clare Status: Offline Points: 602	Posted: 02-January-2006 at 06:50
	On the 540, sounds like maybe the AirFlow Meter. But you'd need to get a diagnostics check done at a good indy, wouldn't cost much to plug it in. Sometimes the connector for the coolant level switch goes bad, or can have intermittnet poor connection - giving you a false level alarm, but the water loss and overheating bit sounds bad. Again, a good indy will be able to help, but have you checked the oil for water or notice white smoke coming from the exhaust - if there are no leaks from hoses etc, the problem will be the head gasket. You also sound as if you have a problem with the check control module of the OBC, or maybe the car has non check-control compliant rear light clusters ? Only have experience with the E36 - so could be way off. Best of luck with the problems and welcome to the club / forum.
	E39 530d Touring

BigAde Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 02-January-2006 Location: Cheadle, Cheshire Status: Offline Points: 14	Posted: 02-January-2006 at 06:52
	Thanks for my first BMWCC reply Graeme !!! A couple of friends told me it could be the head on the 525 , but I'm still hoping it isn't !! I'll get it booked in locally tomorrow to check . . . fingers crossed Cheers mate, Ade Any more replies on the 540 will be gladly received

BigAde Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 02-January-2006 Location: Cheadle, Cheshire Status: Offline Points: 14	Posted: 02-January-2006 at 09:35
	Thanks nn_dd ! I don't have any white smoke, nor water in the oil, so it's going into a local indy tomorrow to get it checked properly - let's hope it's not too expensive - I just wanna sell the bugger !!! Ta, Ade

marky Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 02-June-2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 59	Posted: 03-January-2006 at 08:53
	I don't know how to fix your 540, but I'd recommend BM Tec in Manchester or you could try John Delaney in Stockport (near the pyramid) http://www.johndelanymotors.co.uk/home.htm What colour is your 540? I'll look out for you when its back on the road as I'm in Cheadle too!