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Question

1988 635 CSi electronic shift control light is on and battery is completely drained, engine no start. This is different car than Feb. question.

Submitted: 216 days ago.
Category: BMW
Value: $20
Status: AWAITING EXPERT REPLY
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Optional Information

1988 BMW 635 CSi 3.5L 6cylinder

Already Tried:
Recharged battery, ran engine fully 10-15 minutes. Battery redrained as shift control light is back on.

Posted by mike 215 days and 13 hours ago.

Answer

Hi with the shift control light staying on that means there is a control module not going to sleep. That is causing a draw on the battery. You will have to hook up an amp meter inline with the battery. Then you will have to start pulling fuses to see what circuit the draw is coming from. You can have the trunk and or doors open but you will have to trip the latches to make the car think they are closed. Then if all else fails you may have to start disconnecting control modules 1 by 1 until the draw is gone. Thanks mike

215 days and 2 hours ago.

Reply

Hi Mike,

Thank you and you are right. After recharging I hear the unit humming and I can feel current flowing through it. It might be the idle control unit. It is connected to that large breather hose on top of everything. It T's off pointing toward the firewall. Do these just go bad or can it be reset?

Posted by mike 215 days and 2 hours ago.

Answer

Ok make sure this is the right control module. If you unplug the unit does the draw go away? If this is bad it will need replaced, it can not be reset. thanks Mike

215 days and 1 hours ago.

Reply

Yes the humming stops, but apparently the draw is deeper than I thought. I just went out to make sure I still had power and everything is drained. I guess I will recharge and start over.

215 days and 1 hours ago.

Reply

Do you think this module is the idle control unit?

Accepted Answer

We need to find the draw before you start to replace the unit's. Dont wont to waste money on something that is ok. Would get expensive.Let me know what you find.I will check back later, am at work today. Thanks Mike

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Expert: mike
Pos. Feedback: 100.0 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 4/20/2009

BMW Technician

bmw master tech ase certified

214 days and 22 hours ago.

Reply

Mike, I don't know how to start looking for modules that are still ON, so I made an appointment at my favorite foreign shop for next Monday. I am recharging now and the light is still on when it has power. The **!** light indicating the electronic shift control has had a circuit fail. I also still hear the ignition control valve humming while charging.

Thanks anyway.

214 days and 21 hours ago.

Reply

Sorry, not ignition control valve,,,I meant Idle control valve.

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