When I put on the light in the vanity mirror, all hell breaks loose. The steering wheel moves in, all lights come on, the airbag light comes on, the radio goes off and all lights goes off in the dash too.

what can I do?

Thanks

Call a priest and have an exorcism performed:lol Sorry, could not resist. That is the strangest electrical bug I have ever heard of. I will watch this with great interest to see what the problem was.

Search the forum....this has happened before but I can't for the life of me remember what caused it. Try searching using the words "vanity mirror".

jake

Well I'll be a son of a gun: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?p=12144359#post12144359&highlight=vanity+light

A number of threads on this... ignition switch. One of them talks about turning on the passenger side vanity mirror and things returning to normal. I would have put my money on demons;)

Thanks and according to the search it could be the ignition. So I will try and replace it and see how it goes.

Try the other forums as well (bimmerfest, bimmerboard, cardomain etc.)

There are a lot of folks on those forums who are not on this one. Good luck.

jake

rdorman, I am always a bit apprehensive about these things. You never know when the sun roof will blow open and I am launched into the air as if I am ejecting from a jet.

rdorman, I am always a bit apprehensive about these things. You never know when the sun roof will blow open and I am launched into the air as if I am ejecting from a jet.
If that happens, get a video. :D j/k.
I'm glad you posted this for if it ever happens to me I'll be sure to check the ign switch. The last time I read thread about similar but not all of these symptoms, it was a switched plug in the door(speaker and something else) and would happen when the volume on the radio was raised....weird indeed...

Gremlins?

rdorman, I am always a bit apprehensive about these things. You never know when the sun roof will blow open and I am launched into the air as if I am ejecting from a jet.

An ejection seat would complete the picture wouldn't it? I had my daughter convinced that one of the switches on the dash of my AC Cobra was an passenger ejection seat. You should of seen her reaction as I reached for it one day as we drove down the road. :lol The simple pleasures of being a parent. :D

The latest is that the airbag light is on and the steering wheel controls do not work. Am I right in thinking that this is due to the airbag light being on?

100% guaranteed ignition switch. It's about $54 at the dealer.

The stealership is asking 70 dollars just to reset the abs light and 130 to connect the diagnostic tool. I think I am better off with the Peake research tool kit.
Can a generic OBD2 diagnostic kit reset the abs light?

Mojo, thanks. Do I have to replace the whole switch and is it $54?

Update. Now my radio does not work either. The airbag light remains on faintly and the steering wheel controls do not work at all.

correct version:
The stealership is asking 70 dollars just to reset the airbag light (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1004265#) and 130 to connect the diagnostic tool. I think I am better off with the Peake research tool kit.
Can a generic OBD2 diagnostic kit reset the airbag light?

http://images.bimmerforums.com/vb3images/misc/progress.gif http://images.bimmerforums.com/vb3images/buttons/edit.gif (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/editpost.php?do=editpost&p=13041970)

correct version:
The stealership is asking 70 dollars just to reset the airbag light (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1004265#) and 130 to connect the diagnostic tool. I think I am better off with the Peake research tool kit.
Can a generic OBD2 diagnostic kit reset the airbag light?

http://images.bimmerforums.com/vb3images/misc/progress.gif http://images.bimmerforums.com/vb3images/buttons/edit.gif (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/editpost.php?do=editpost&p=13041970)
No the OBD2 will not reset the airbag light. Have to get the peake tool or go to an Indy shop or the dealer.. I just sent my peake airbag tool to another member but once I get it back I can send it to you, just have to pay shipping there and back..

Thanks ChiefJumbo for the offer. I live in Canada and it will be complicated with customs etc. I will order the Peake Research tool for the airbag reset. I already have the code reader.
Do you think that the steering wheel controls are not working because of the airbag light?

Thanks ChiefJumbo for the offer. I live in Canada and it will be complicated with customs etc. I will order the Peake Research tool for the airbag reset. I already have the code reader.
Do you think that the steering wheel controls are not working because of the airbag light?

I think that problem is related to the ign. switch.

Do I have to buy the whole switch or is it just a part? Can someone please give me the part number if they can.
The car is a 1998 BMW740i.

Thank you

I do not know what part number it is but you can go to www.realoem.com (http://www.realoem.com) and attempt to look for it. You'll need the last 5 digits of your vin OR the build date of your vehicle that is located on the sticker on your driverside door jam(ie 03/97) since build date and year of vehicle may differ. Plug in the info and get started.

Then I went to e38.org and found the replacement instructions with pictures(try there for future woe DIY) Here's the link for the instructions. It is for a 750 so the part # in the pic may be different from yours.

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/244045

When I look for the part online I just put the part# in the google search box and hope for the best or I go to the vendors on e38.org. I'm a cheapy so trust me, I search....

Good luck!!
-AJ

Do I have to buy the whole switch or is it just a part? Can someone please give me the part number if they can.
The car is a 1998 BMW740i.

Thank you

Its just a small part, about the size of your thumb. Its one of the easiest DIY's ever.

Part number: 61326901962

Its just a small part, about the size of your thumb. Its one of the easiest DIY's ever.

Part number: 61326901962
+1:D

Thanks guys. I will try it this week as it is driving me crazy.

Do I have to buy the whole switch or is it just a part? Can someone please give me the part number if they can.
The car is a 1998 BMW740i.

Thank you

I bet $100 that there is already a write up for changing the ignition switch (with pics, too) on www.e38.org ...I hope you know about this site which is like the go to site for DIY repairs and fixes for the e38 7 series. :D

If you get lost and can't wade thru all of the links...then just do a simple PAGE SEARCH [Cntrl+F] which will open a dialog box and allow you to search the page using a keyword (try "ignition")...your computer will jump to every place on the open page that your selected keyword appears.

EDIT: yep...just checked E38.org and sure enough...there's a great write up...with pics, and the part nbr! ;) It was written by DavidC (pics below are from his write up..and there's more pics in the write-up).

http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/davidc/IMG_2724.JPG

http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/davidc/IMG_2678.JPG

Thanks Guys.

My horn does not work and sometimes the power steering does not work either. Occasionally the steering wheel moves on its own as well. I have ordered the ignition switch. So hopefully it will fix everything.

My horn does not work and sometimes the power steering does not work either. Occasionally the steering wheel moves on its own as well. I have ordered the ignition switch. So hopefully it will fix everything.

Sounds like the iggy switch to me.

And even if it isn't, think of it this way: it'll go bad at some point, why not fix it before it goes bad?

Of course, one could retort with the old addage of "why fix what isn't broken?"

Anyone who says that is obviously an asshole.

I just spoke to the dealer and he wants 108 plus tax on this switch(refer part number in an earlier post).
Can anyone let me know where I can get this a bit cheaper?

Thanks

#2 on this diagram (http://www.bmwmobiletradition-online.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=GJ63&mospid=47530&btnr=32_0703&hg=32&fg=30)... $47.47. This is the dealer price.

I just spoke to the dealer and he wants 108 plus tax on this switch(refer part number in an earlier post).
Can anyone let me know where I can get this a bit cheaper?

Thanks

try Autohausaz.com

I got mine for like $65 shipped and tax included at my dealer. You are being ripped off.

I have ordered an ignition switch for 65 from an OEM provider. I have also ordered the carsoft connector. I will let you know how it goes after I replace the switch.
I am assuming the carsoft would let me reset the airbag light?

Thanks

Thank you guys. I have changed the ignition switch and everything(well most things) seem to be normal now. Though the carsoft read out still gives a lot of " module does not respond" the main functions look OK.
I am now going to check all these "modules" and my steering wheel hopefully will not be like a yoyo.