BMW 7-Series Maintenance and Repair

Mr_Shiftright

Frankly I wouldn't even know where to begin when these older 7 series start acting up. They seem possessed.

jscholder

Are you serious? That's it! I've read alot of posts from people asking for advice and I've seen alot of great advice given by you and others....but that's your response to my request for help when I send you the error codes you asked for? You certainly knew where to begin on the 7 series with numerous other problems that were brought to your attention. I don't mind that you've chosen to give up and not take a shot at it, but what a lame, cop-out way of doing it. I really thought you had more pride in yourself than that. I'd say thanks, but from your response it would be undeserved. Sorry to all the fans that idolize you and you've helped in the past, but a simple, "I don't have a clue" would have been better.

Mr_Shiftright

Well that's what I meant to say, perhaps badly (sorry). I simply don't know how to solve this for you, especially without a car in front of me. I'm not a BMW technician. I'm a generalist who can only take analysis of problems so far by remote internet.

I did re-read your post and you didn't ask me for the trouble codes definitions---you seem to be asking me if I thought the control module was causing all these faults, and my response was--I have no idea.

If I *were* a BMW specialist and if I had the car in front of me, sure I'd test the wiring harness to the control module for faults using something like ALLDATAPRO or some other BMW database.

Simply put, this is beyond my area of expertise. I have no desire to waste your time and money by me giving you guesses without a sound basis.

I hope you understand and sorry to disappoint.

jscholder

My apologies also for the mis-understanding. I do appreciate your honesty and frankness as the main purpose is now clear that you wanted to not send me on a wild goose chase.
However, there is some good news at this point that one problem was found that has (so far) eliminated the codes and corrected most of the rough idle problem (still need to replace CPS driver side-was under warranty); the pigtail to the electric thermost connector/sensor had a melted wire but the sensor itself had been replaced recently, so instead of replacing the entire unit, a fix to the pigtail was done and it seems to have solved most of the issue thus far. A new one for the books? I now know that we don't have to cut you to see if you're human as there actually are some things that stump you, but it was the first time I saw it happen. Sorry again for my impatience and frustration. Your still amazing at most of your diagnosis/suggestions.

Mr_Shiftright

yeah many of my friend's issues with his 750iL electrical gremlins were related to wiring harness degradation, so I'm not surprised to hear of your discovery, and no, I don't think it's all that unusual on this series of car. I spent 3 whole days re-wiring the junction boxes under his passenger floorboards and that fixed some, but not all, of his ongoing electrical problems. One time it was a defect in his crankshaft sensor wiring harness---that was a $3000 nightmare.

nvbanker

Yet another testimonial that scares the hell out of me! I'll stay with Lexus, handling be damned - I can't handle the stress of "nightmares" like those heretofore described. Outta here! Best wishes to all. :surprise:

Mr_Shiftright

I think as long as you're under warranty, you might enjoy a 7 series---they are fabulous cars to drive---nothing like them in their class. But when warranty is up, one should consider moving on.

jscholder

If you buy an older series that has lost alot of its initial value then you also will be alright provided you have a back-up car when the 7 series is in the shop. You won't be as mad about spending the $$ on repairs though.

Mr_Shiftright

That strategy might work with the V8 model but not with the V-12 I don't think. you can spend $1800 for a brake job on one of those, no problem.

dfavela

I have alot of little things wrong with my 1997 740i.... I need to find someone that can help me with some repairs that wont charge me a arm and a leg! Anyone know anyone or anywhere in AZ?

Thanks

laura80

what type of oil does the 750 il use? :confuse:

Mr_Shiftright

Grade API SH/SJ
Viscosity Select rating according to the average seasonal air temperature.

Capacity
With Filter Change 7.50 Liters

nohandle

MY RADIO WILL COME ON AND THE NEXT TIME I TURN OFF THE CAR IT WILL NOT WORK. MAYBE FOR MONTHS. EVERY NOW AND THEN I'LL GET IN THE CAR START IT AND THE RADIO WORKS TURN ON THE LIGHTS, HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL IT GOES OFF. THE CASSETTE DOES NOT PLAY EITHER. THE CD CARTRIDGE WAS STUCK IN THE CD PLAYER AND I HAD TO PRY THE HELL OUT OF IT TO REMOVE IT. IT ACTS LIKE IT IS A WIRE LOOSE SOMEWHERE BUT I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE TO START OR HOW TO GET TO THE BACK OF THE RADIO/CASSETTE WITHOUT TEARING THE WHOLE DASH OUT. HAVE THE DEALER LOOK AT IT IS LIKE GIVING YOUR CHECKBOOK TO A CHECK FRAUD ARTIST. NOT SAYING THEY ARE CROOKS, JUST TOO EXPENSIVE. I REALLY NEED SOMEONE TO ADVISE ME WHERE TO LOOK AND HOW TO GET THERE. AS WITH ALL VEHICLES THEY HAVE THINGS THAT ARE COMMON PROBLEMS IN A SERIES OR MODEL RUN. A DEALER GUY THAT DEALS WITH THEM ALL DAY COULD PROBABLY TELL ME EXACTLY WHAT IT IS, BUT THEY DON'T LET YOU TALK TO THEM GUYS. IT'S AGREAT CAR BUT IS MUCH MORE ENJOYABLE WITH MUSIC. NOHANDLE

nohandle

CAN ANYONE DIRECT ME TO A PLACE TO GET A REPAIR MANUAL FOR A 1997 740IL. I LOVE MY CAR AND EVEN IF I COULD AFFOPRD THE DEALER I LIVE TOO FAR AWAY FROM IT. I AM A TRUCK MECHANIC AND HAVE JUST ABOUT ALL THE TOOLS YOU COULD IMAGINE. I JUST NEED THE MANUAL..THE PARTS ARE ANOTHER STORY. THANK YOU FOR READING THIS AND IF YOU CAN PLEASE HELP.

nohandle

CAN ANYONE DIRECT ME TO A PLACE TO GET A REPAIR MANUAL FOR A 1997 740IL. I LOVE MY CAR AND EVEN IF I COULD AFFOPRD THE DEALER I LIVE TOO FAR AWAY FROM IT. I AM A TRUCK MECHANIC AND HAVE JUST ABOUT ALL THE TOOLS YOU COULD IMAGINE. I JUST NEED THE MANUAL..THE PARTS ARE ANOTHER STORY. THANK YOU FOR READING THIS AND IF YOU CAN PLEASE HELP. NOHANDLE

Mr_Shiftright

HERE YOU GO

nohandle

WHATTA GUY. THANK YOU. NO HANDLE

nohandle

MR. SHIFTRIGHT I OREDERED THE MANUAL AND AGAIN THANX FOR YOUR HELP. NO HANDLE

Mr_Shiftright

Great. Bentley makes the best manuals, so good luck with it!

dan8897

I have a 2002 745i with 100K miles. I got an extended warranty mailer, thru a dealer, for 2 years, basically covering only mechnical parts, not electronics which control most of the functions in the car. Does anybody has experience with such a warranty for over $3K? I had problems before with both electronics and mechnaical.

Jman

I have a 99 740i A couple of days ago I started having problems at accelerating from a stop , I will feel a vibration in the back portion of the vehicle, I lift my foot off gas pedal ,then I accelerate and it is fine till I come to a stop. Any answers to my problems.