Lighting system failure warning

[jenksy0198]

After many years running my E64 650i, turned on this morning to be advised that the whole lighting system was inoperative, indicators, lights, brake lights etc. Did a search and found some references to problems with the light control module. Also some experience in cleaning it off to remove dust and maybe light corrosion and then being able to replace it. Any experience on this in the group?  

[Greydog]

Morning Paul

A job I have done earlier this year on my X5, I have also replaced them on 2 1 series and a 5 series.

BMW will tell you the only fix is a new LCM that can only be coded by them, so will some specialists 

Happy to report they are all wrong, you can fit a second hand LCM and code it to your car using BMW PA Soft 1.4.0 or if you dont fancy trying yourself a member with PA Soft would help I am sure. I have a How to already written up.

Check realoem for the correct part number for your car (mine was LCM III I upgraded to LCM IV more functions) Once you know what is in there either by pulling it out or using realoem Google search a replacement. My LCM IV came from Quarry Motors cost £90 delivered in 3 days fitted and programmed in under an hour. If you don't program it straight away everything will work but there will be a tamper dot by your mileage. Don't panic because as soon as it is programmed it will disappear.

Dave

[jenksy0198]

22 hours ago, Greydog said:

Morning Paul

A job I have done earlier this year on my X5, I have also replaced them on 2 1 series and a 5 series.

BMW will tell you the only fix is a new LCM that can only be coded by them, so will some specialists 

Happy to report they are all wrong, you can fit a second hand LCM and code it to your car using BMW PA Soft 1.4.0 or if you dont fancy trying yourself a member with PA Soft would help I am sure. I have a How to already written up.

Check realoem for the correct part number for your car (mine was LCM III I upgraded to LCM IV more functions) Once you know what is in there either by pulling it out or using realoem Google search a replacement. My LCM IV came from Quarry Motors cost £90 delivered in 3 days fitted and programmed in under an hour. If you don't program it straight away everything will work but there will be a tamper dot by your mileage. Don't panic because as soon as it is programmed it will disappear.

Dave

Cheers Dave, always great to share experience like that. Certainly worth having a crack at and I'll also report back on the clean story I got from the MSBoard.com community as well. 

[jenksy0198]

Cheers Dave, always great to share experience like that. Certainly worth having a crack at and I'll also report back on the clean story I got from the MSBoard.com community as well. 

[jenksy0198]

HI, said I would come back to you  on this subject. So removed the LM unit and gave it a good clean down with circuit board cleaner and a soft toothbrush. Reinstalled and hey presto the fault had cleared. However, next day it was back but day after cleared again. Not convinced it is the LM unit now and could be a lose connection. That is even more concerning. I am thinking about re cleaning it again and all terminals as well but good to see the first clean had an impact. Removing the LM was fiddly but doable, certainly a job for the smaller chap though on the E64. Thanks again for the pointers on this matter.

[Greydog]

Hi Paul

Taking stuff off all you need in the tool box is a Dwarf with 9" long double jointed fingers the grip like Mole grips 😅

Dry solder joints are a known issue so the intermittent nature of the fault could be there? I would also reconnect the plugs with the LCM loose then moving/twisting the loom will show any fault there, also check the earth point. 

If the issue is dry solder joints companies like BBA Reman and ECU Testing offer 24 hour repair and you will avoid any need to re-program. 

Dave

[jenksy0198]

Hi Greydog, well it was the LMII so managed to get a direct replacement on line(£50), same number and all the same notations as the original. Slotted it in and off it went. Had a local BMW specialist recode for me (£40) . I have kept the original and will enquire of the two companies you mentioned as far as repair is concerned but learned a lot from the thread. Many thanks.