E60 M5 with EDC warning light

ed3590 · 24th May 2011, 19:20

I have a iDrive message of "Dynamic Damping Control Malfuntion" and a shock absorber icon on the dash. I assume this is the EDC unit warning. The warning says to drive cautiously so I continued to drive with the light on for several weeks before I got in to the dealer. The dealer did a $80 "scope" and a $50 "engine analysis" (car has 36K miles and needed spark plugs also) and said everything was fine.

Drove off and light still on. Returned to dealer. They took car around corner and 10 minutes later said I needed a new "control module" for$825. I'm skeptical. Could it be anything else? Loose wire? Steering angle sensor? fuse?

Anything I can check on my own? I want to disconnect the battery to reset but I've read several posts warning never to disconnect battery. What would be the consequences?

Any input would be helpful

Thanks

Dan@ · 25th May 2011, 14:42

Yes there are a few things you can do.

1. Pop the rubber boots off the front struts and check the electrical connectors haven't come loose. Sometime if you hit something hard it can knock them loose. The rear can come loose also but less likely.

2. Check the P/S fluid level. It is monitored and if the level is at the threshold it will throw a check control message. Make sure you check it when the car is cold. Just because the fluid is low doesn't mean there is a leak. CH11S has a tendency to evaporate from the system.

3. You can do a battery reset at anytime on your car. Just make sure you don't have a battery charger on it under the hood,lol.

Dan
BMW Master Tech
www.BimmerPerformanceCenter.com

Tonyanjaii · 25th May 2011, 18:41

Hey Dan,

Wish you had your business a bit further up North in the Northern Virginia area! lol

ed3590 · 26th May 2011, 17:04

I've located a used EDC control module. I'm not sure where this it is located in car. Behind glove box? I assume this is a "plug and play" kind of replacement. Is there any programming or resetting after replacement?

Dan@ · 26th May 2011, 19:02

Please try the steps I suggested before buying any parts.

If you have bought it already. To the best of my memory since the M5 does not have a spare tire I believe that module is located behind the glove box. A stock E60 EDC module would be located in the trunk under the spare tire. You are supposed to program that module. Sometime you can get away with program depending on the part number.

ed3590 · 27th May 2011, 05:31

Checked wires on front strut. Seem OK. Don't see any easy way to access rear strut. PS fluid level OK. Hard reset with battery disconnect did nothing. Warning light still on.

No spare tire in my M5. CD changer behind glove box. Is that where EDC module sits?

Cars seems to run fine. I don't know if the default is the "sport" setting but it seems to handle OK so I'm reluctant to spend $1000. I'm a little afraid to push it too hard.

Should I bite the bullet, bend over, and take it to the dealer? Should I try the used EDC module on eBay? Should I buy one of the fault scanners to track this down?

Dan@ · 27th May 2011, 14:41

At this point to correctly diag the EDC light the faults will have to be read from the module. The only way to do that is to go th the dealer or buy a GT1. I rec going to the dealer and paying the 1hr diag to get the faults read. Have them tell you what they think is the cause and post it up. I can give you further advise from there. Without seeing the fault stored I cannot help. You have done all the basic tests.

slayer1974 · 16th June 2012, 23:41

Did you take the car into the dealer for diagnostic check?

slayer1974 · 16th June 2012, 23:43

Try reseting your tyre pressure then reactivate the TPM through idrive!

cjjk336 · 25th February 2013, 03:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan@

At this point to correctly diag the EDC light the faults will have to be read from the module. The only way to do that is to go th the dealer or buy a GT1. I rec going to the dealer and paying the 1hr diag to get the faults read. Have them tell you what they think is the cause and post it up. I can give you further advise from there. Without seeing the fault stored I cannot help. You have done all the basic tests.

Hi Bro,
the P/S oil is low so i top it up.Light still on
if the light on means the car ride was bumpy
the code show
P000c
P000a
P420

Thanks