bmw E46

corkcomp

got a strange problem with E46 320D ... the alarm went off today, no obvious reason. when I got to the car it wouldnt open via plip, had to open by putting the key into drivers door. The car starts and drives as normal but as soon as they ignition is switched off most of the dash lights illuminate and all 3 brake lights.. all of these lights stay on even when they keys is removed and doors closed. any ideas?

You're not alone, the last poster in this thread had the same issue...

http://www.bmwland.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?p=860201

...... sorry can't offer any actual help but his symptoms are exactly the same as yours.

Actually, more here...

http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f18/2002-e46-320d-warning-lights-t34314/

don't like the sound of that...

"It is likely You have a dead short on the CAN bus board inside the istrument cluster, this board is the gateway for all of the different CAN lines (PT-CAN, K-BUS, TD-BUS)unfortunately in extreme cold or heat they melt or moisture attacks causing dead shorts to earth or across the networks.
The instrument cluster will need to be replaced, unless you send it away for refurb which I have yet to find anyone who can repair this particular fault.
Also you cant fit a secondhand one as they are Chassis embeded to the vehicle.
I have replaced 4 during november/december for the same prob"

'twas cold today too, strangely enough.

corkcomp

thanks RJ, I had read the bimmerfest post even before posting here.. it looks like a common problem but no real consensus on the actual cause? I'll have a bit more time to look at it tomorrow evening but for now I disconnected the battery, wouldn't be happy letting it overnight with the dash lit up like an xmas tree:(

edit: defo, temps in low single figures with the past few days and the car has been stationary in the same spot since Monday

corkcomp

update: left battery disconnected for 12 hours and its perfect since. Id prefer to know what caused the problem but I'll let well alone unless it reoccurs.