BMW Z3 Electrical Nightmares, Help Needed

Hey there! I had some experience with similar electrical gremlins on my 2000 BMW Z4 (and I previously owned a 323i). I've got some car repair experience, nothing professional but I've dealt with my share of issues. These symptoms sound very familiar. My Z4 was showing unusual error messages, and the entertainment system would go crazy at times. After two weeks of headaches, I took it to my trusted workshop. Turned out the main issue was a faulty cable connection to the control unit, which was messing with the entire BUS system. The fix wasn't too complex, but finding the actual problem took some diagnostic work. Cost me 155 Euro, but it solved all those unusual electrical issues. Before I can give more specific advice, could you share: Are the errors more frequent when the car is hot or cold? Which specific control units are acting up? Have you noticed any pattern with wet weather? These details would help me better compare our situations and perhaps save you some troubleshooting time.

Thanks for sharing your experience! Mine's showing pretty much identical symptoms at 105744 KM. Just had it serviced last month but these issues persist. The unusual errors seem to happen regardless of temperature or weather, which is making it super frustrating to diagnose. The dash cluster and climate control are the most problematic units, but honestly, it feels like it's affecting everything electrical at this point. I'll definitely have the mechanics check those cable connections you mentioned. It's good to know it might not be as complex (or expensive) as I was fearing. Really appreciate the detailed response, gives me some hope that this won't break the bank!

Hey again! After reading about your specific issues with the dash cluster and climate control, I'm even more convinced it's similar to what I dealt with. Just to add to my previous response, I had exactly the same thing happen with my cluster display at around 110,000 KM, especially the climate control acting up. Quick update on my situation since I last posted, I actually had the issue come back about 6 months after the initial fix. Turned out there was some corrosion on another connector that wasn't spotted the first time around. The mechanic ended up checking ALL the main connection points and found a couple more that were starting to show signs of wear. Had those cleaned and protected, and I've been trouble-free for over a year now. One thing I learned, these BMWs from that era are really sensitive to electrical connection issues. Even a slightly loose ground connection can cause all sorts of weird symptoms. When your mechanic checks it out, make sure they do a thorough inspection of all the ground points too, not just the obvious connections. A full diagnostic of the electrical system might cost a bit more initially, but it'll save you from having to go back multiple times. Let us know what they find, I'm curious if it turns out to be the same issue as mine!

Thanks so much for the follow-up! That's super helpful info about the corrosion and ground points, definitely going to mention this specifically when I take it in. It's actually really reassuring to hear that your second round of issues was also fixable. I was starting to worry I'd need to replace entire control modules or something equally expensive! I've just booked it in for next week and specifically requested a full electrical diagnostic, taking your advice to heart. You're right, better to pay a bit more upfront for a thorough check than keep dealing with these problems. I'll definitely keep you posted on what they find. Really hoping it's just some dodgy connections like in your case! The bit about these BMWs being sensitive to electrical issues makes total sense, explains why these problems seem so unusual and widespread. Just got my fingers crossed it's not hiding too many corroded connections under there! Thanks again for sharing your experience, it's made me feel way more confident about getting this sorted.

Error 005E19

Error code 005E19 typically relates to a communication issue within the vehicle's electronic systems, often involving the CAN bus network. This could be due to a faulty connection, a failing control module, or interference in the communication lines. I recommend checking the wiring and connections related to the CAN bus for any signs of damage or corrosion. If you're not comfortable doing this yourself, it's best to have a professional mechanic inspect it. Let us know how it goes or if you have any further questions!