Electrics

[Jen]

Hi, I have a Z3 2.0 litre, 2000, auto
The odometer stays lit after removing the key and locking the doors.
Neither of my keys will programme anymore.
None of the instrument lights illuminate on position one of the ignition.
Resulting in battery going flat.
There are no aftermarket accessories fitted.
I was wondering if anyone has any ideas what the problem could be?
Any help wound be appreciated.
Many thanks in advance
Jen

 

[Mario]

maybe the ignition tumbler? you are not supposed to be able to remove the key unless the gear level is in P, if you are able to remove it in any other position that´s maybe an indication, in any case that´s probably where I would start as it seems the car does not recognise that the key has been removed.

 

[Jen]

As we had changed the battery over a few times (because of being flat). I decided to take it for a 20 mile drive twice, on dual carriageways, leaving it for an hour between. The odometer has now gone out and it started first time this morning when I needed to move it off the drive. Fingers crossed that it’s ok now, and that it was something to do with the battery learning. I’ll let you know how it goes over the weekend.
Thanks for all the help.

 

[John_B]

maybe the ignition tumbler? you are not supposed to be able to remove the key unless the gear level is in P, if you are able to remove it in any other position that´s maybe an indication, in any case that´s probably where I would start as it seems the car does not recognise that the key has been removed.

Slightly off-topic, in a previous life I did a bit of chauffeuring for a wedding car company at the weekends (saving a bit of money for my own wedding and in the end got a great deal on a Ferrari 612 for the big day, driving myself of course ). I'd just finished a job in a Merc V-Class and was filling up at the local petrol station before returning the van to the unit. Pulled up to the pump, turned off the ignition and *tug* couldn't get the key out of the ignition. Started to panic. Cycled the ignition, nope, still wouldn't come out. Thought I'll take it back to the unit and let the mechanic have a look, but no, now it wouldn't even start!! F**K!!!. Now I am really crapping myself, think I'll take off the handbrake and ask one of the (many) people queuing up behind me to help push it out of the way, except the handbrake won't even come off. This is getting ridiculous now, where are the hidden cameras?...

A kind soul came over and asked if I was ok, to which I explained my predicament. Took one look at the gear selector and pointed out I was still in D. Cue extreme embarassment. I didn't even fill up there, I drove away to another petrol station! Lesson learned!!