Successful repair of cruise control module

[535iase1997 2]

Me and a fellow Bimmer enthusiast (jfry) just had a attempt at repairing my e39's cruise control module as it kept disengaging after a short while. then won't go back on until I restarted the car. I fully disassembled it cleaned the points and re-soldered the pins, now it's like new! except now that I was on a roll I decided to fix the dead pixels in the instrument cluster and after re-installing it the airbag light stays on, but this (I hope) is the same problem others have got after removing the cluster. I will take it in and get it reset on Monday, I hope most of you agree with this idea.

[kiwi535 538]

Me and a fellow Bimmer enthusiast (jfry) just had a attempt at repairing my e39's cruise control module as it kept disengaging after a short while. then won't go back on until I restarted the car. I fully disassembled it cleaned the points and re-soldered the pins, now it's like new! except now that I was on a roll I decided to fix the dead pixels in the instrument cluster and after re-installing it the airbag light stays on, but this (I hope) is the same problem others have got after removing the cluster. I will take it in and get it reset on Monday, I hope most of you agree with this idea.

hope so....did you disconnect the battery before removing the cluster?

[535iase1997 2]

hope so....did you disconnect the battery before removing the cluster?

No, I didn't need to remove the steering wheel (air bags) so I thought that wasn't necessary. (or just didn't think)

[allan 295]

Would you have any photo's of the repair location of the unit in the vehicle etc

Allan

[535iase1997 2]

Would you have any photo's of the repair location of the unit in the vehicle etc

Allan

Hi Allan

I didn't take any photo's as I assumed I wouldn't succeed as I hadn't seen it done before.

I used this info to find it http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/329888. to find it.

What I did was:

1. took the plastic engine cover off, to unclip the CC from the throttle lever.

2. removed the module completely from the car buy undoing the three bolts (used a magnet so I didn't drop them into the engine bay).

3. Got a size 8 star drive bit and took the cover off the bottom of CC module (I had to break a small seal (melted plastic))

4. got a small set of vice grips and clamped them on the spring (you'll see what I mean)

You don't want it to unravel! then pulled it off and put it somewhere safe (I used tape as well as a double security)

5. Then I undid the next lot of star drive screws holding the circuit board down.

6. then disassembled the rest of it, carefully noting the position of all the sprockets!

7. then I checked the solenoid with a small twelve volt battery, re-soldered all of the pins coming out of the circuit board (where the plug plugs into) This was the problem, they were dry and loose!

8. then I cleaned where the contacts (round thing with two contact points) touch the board (thoroughly with white spirits) and lightly sanded and cleaned the contacts themselves.

9. Then re-assembled, put back in the car and tested.

note; when re-assembling I had to wind one turn of tension onto the sping so it acted correctly and the strap wasn't too slack.

Hope this helps! sorry no photo's!

Happy cruising!

Cheers

Phil.