gaowei

I have a 2010 528XI, with about 67K miles. When I was driving on highway out of state, out of sudden, the speedometer and RPM meter started flicking, with a transmission error also popping up in main display. It happened few times, and each last few seconds. On my way home (about 2+ hrs drive), this did not happen.
See this video:
Next morning, I had a hard time to start the car. Trunk door wouldn't open, no display after key insertion, ... After few tries, I was able to start the car, and moved it out of my driveway. But the same thing happened. Even worse this time, the wiper started to move and I could not stop it. The remote key could not lock the door also. I kept on turning the engine on and off. Finally the wiper stopped, I was also able to lock the car and open the trunk with remote.

The speedometer and RPM meter still have this flicking issue very frequently, along with many other error lights on the dashboard. But after the car started, I do not feel any abnormal in terms of the driving. No choking, vibration. What could be the issue?

Some Youtube post saw close issue with RDC control unit replaced.

zoom750

I would suggest first checking your battery. And also your alternator.

seanjordan20

+1

gaowei

Here is what I fonud out. One day when here had some snow, I opened the trunk to get the ice scraper/brush. Some snow got into the trunk. It was freezing, so I did not bother to clean all those snow out of my trunk. The next day weather got warmed up. On a out of state trip, I started to see this meter flickering. Another day later, it got worse.

After some research for this issue, one guy said he sent his car to dedaler and got PDC (or some computer control module) replaced. So I just happened to open the trunk and pull out the spare tire, looking for those controller hiding under there. Wow! There it was full of water!! Sure my PDC and bluetooth module were all soaked. Unplugged them, dryed the area. Waited for few hours, now all those maintenance light, engine warning light, transmission light, meter flickering all gone.

Further reading and I found this was a "well known" - Catalano v. BMW of North America, LLC and BMW AG
2010 model year happened to be the last model year! I have scheduled an appointment to check it out since looks like I could blame them to the design, and it's knwon issue. 2nd hand used replacement parts can be found in eBay at very reasonable cost as well.

audiophool

My my. That would have been a lot of snow to melt into that much water. Good catch though.

You can re-locate the modules that are under the spare, up onto the tower near the left trunk hinge. I'm surprised BMW didn't put them there in the first place. Sometimes BMW does some very strange things.

gaowei

If you are not aware of what "audiophool" talked about how to relocate the modules, take a look at this video. It's fairly easy -