Subject: Re: Ignition switch removal and replacement (long, with photos) Author: vaidaseem : member since May, 2007 : 2 posts Posted on: 2007-05-20 12:27:15

(Folks, this is an incredible forum! I have had a couple visits to 2 separate bmw shops, no-one has yet determined root cause for my electrical gremlins)

Do these gremlins only occur at speed?
In my case, (2000 740iL), I always get random gremlins (as described on this board) as soon as I turn on the ignition. While driving, sometimes they go away, sometimes they change.

I'm trying to replace my ignition switch, but can't seem to get the steering wheel clamshell cover off (Thx, DavidC, for the detailed writeup!). The top/bottom parts seems latched somewhere though I can see the seams coming apart.

Are there any diffs between the 2000 and 1997 covers ?

• Ignition switch removal and replacement (long, with photos) (pic) - DavidC 2006-08-29 05:26:13 (29990 views)
  • FOLLOWUP: Here's a terrific set of videos demonstrating the symptoms and the fix (url) - DavidC 2009-04-13 04:34:45 (615 views)
  • Re: Ignition switch removal and replacement (long, with photos) - vaidaseem 2007-05-20 12:27:15 (1460 views)
    • Yes, the problems were more pronounced at highway speeds, - DavidC 2007-06-05 05:42:42 (721 views)
      • Re: Yes, the problems were more pronounced at highway speeds, - vaidaseem 2007-06-07 02:33:13 (637 views)
  • Followup: 6 months and all is still well. This definitely fixed everything. (nt) - DavidC 2007-02-18 13:31:56 (801 views)
  • A word to the wise - bois 2007-01-22 12:15:56 (1484 views)
  • That is a great write up. Thank you. Looking forward to seeing it on the e38.org (nt) - kingdom7 2006-08-29 17:06:03 (567 views)
  • Nice post. Please note symptoms for future reference. (nt) - collison944 2006-08-29 10:48:51 (865 views)
  • Did you by chance plug the switch in before you - Stu 2006-08-29 07:16:42 (813 views)
    • No, I just installed it and buttoned it up. Worked fine the first time. (nt) - DavidC 2006-08-29 07:19:38 (627 views)
      • Right on. It couldnt be that easy though could it? - Stu 2006-08-29 07:27:22 (555 views)
  • Beautiful Write-up David. Many Thanks. (nt) - farnarkler 2006-08-29 06:58:25 (460 views)
  • David you are so industrious, Great write up! (nt) - Blue740i 2006-08-29 06:55:23 (420 views)
    • Re: David you are so industrious, Great write up! - 18jazzy 2007-03-02 20:00:19 (402 views)
  • Re: Ignition switch removal and replacement (long, with photos) - navybob 2006-08-29 06:33:26 (1363 views)
    • A dealer repair for under $1,000? Consider yourself lucky. (nt) - sdmike1 2006-08-29 06:44:36 (731 views)
  • Great stuff, David. I have some electrical gremlins too... - sdmike1 2006-08-29 05:54:42 (902 views)
  • Nice Job, David. I see it's made e38.org already!! (grin) - sealbeach740 2006-08-29 05:50:40 (497 views)
  • hand claps. pretty impressive. what pointed you to the iggy switch? - rogue7 2006-08-29 05:35:53 (798 views)
    • Suggestions from friends who've had similar problems in other e38's. (nt) - DavidC 2006-08-29 05:37:38 (1198 views)
  • Very cool. This might be my problem as well. (nt) - dwightf 2006-08-29 05:32:26 (870 views)