Active Steering failure due to cold car?
02-20-2006, 06:23 PM
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My Ride: '05 545i Sport Package 6-speed, cold weather package, premium sound
'07 Mercedes GL450
'07 Porsche 997 Carrera S
I know active steering failure has been discussed already on the board, but has anyone else noticed this failure after the car has been out in the cold? I've noticed when I leave the car out at night(not in my heated garage) and start it up in the morning during these cold winter months, the car starts up with the ""active steering warning" and it states I must pull over immediately. I've learned to ignore it as I haven't actually experienced any loss in steering control and after the car warms up, the warning goes away...Anyone else having this issue?
02-21-2006, 12:58 AM
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No doubt. I get it occassionally (now that it is actually cold) even when in the garage. Not right away but 5 miles down the road. It is about 25-30 here in the mornings and I have gotten it a total of 4-5 times (over 2 winters).
I got it on the way to work yesterday - and it was one of my longer commutes - 20 miles. It is associated with a loss of active steering (which is just awful .... to lose) and I think a shut down of Dynamic Drive - which is even more awful. I had asked my dealer to check this when I was last in and they just topped the fluid off and said that was the problem.
Usually I wouldn't believe the dealer's explanation but it makes some sense. So when it is cold - the fluid shrinks a bit and gets below the threshold to set off alarms and shut everything down. The warning even says something about level. I haven't rechecked the level and the dealer isn't that close but you may want to check it and top it off.....let me know.
I got it on the way to work yesterday - and it was one of my longer commutes - 20 miles. It is associated with a loss of active steering (which is just awful .... to lose) and I think a shut down of Dynamic Drive - which is even more awful. I had asked my dealer to check this when I was last in and they just topped the fluid off and said that was the problem.
Usually I wouldn't believe the dealer's explanation but it makes some sense. So when it is cold - the fluid shrinks a bit and gets below the threshold to set off alarms and shut everything down. The warning even says something about level. I haven't rechecked the level and the dealer isn't that close but you may want to check it and top it off.....let me know.
02-21-2006, 01:18 AM
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I've had the exact same problem. And they topped the fluid. However they changed the pump after more complaints. And now I got it again. They said they'll change some module. Don't know which one.
02-21-2006, 02:18 AM
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Got that warning a year ago... After they upgraded to CIP 17.01 it was gone 
I've started our car at tempratures at -10 C and lower and NEVER gets the active steering faulire. Something is wrong with your car
I've started our car at tempratures at -10 C and lower and NEVER gets the active steering faulire. Something is wrong with your car
02-21-2006, 04:03 AM
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My Ride: 2008 535i: June 6th start build, complete June 17th, at NY Port July 5th, at dealer July 10th, took delivery Friday July 13- Plantimum Bronze/Natural Brown Leather/Light Poplar, Sport Package, Sport Auto, Active Steering, Premium Package, CWP & PDC. Dinan Performance Software 384hp & 421 ft/lbs.
I get it infrequently, not weather dependent though.
02-21-2006, 04:12 AM
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My Ride: 11 550i Sophisto Gray/Oyster Black/Anthracite, Sprt Trns, DHP, IAS, SP, PP1, PP2, CWP, HUD, DAP, AVSP, SF RS, CA, ACC - Euro Del
I got it 3 times in 23,000 miles. No big deal for me. Car still drove fine. For me it happens more in winter, although my car is kept in a heated garage.
02-21-2006, 04:49 AM
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My Ride: 530i 6 speed
I have that too. Isn't it ridiculous that BMW gives us cars with such problems???????? You would think this was sorted out during cold waether testing.....
02-21-2006, 05:11 AM
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sorry for you guys I never had that problem not even when my car was totally frozen and just to start it once needed 40 min to warm up 
02-21-2006, 07:30 PM
#10
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My Ride: '05 545i Sport Package 6-speed, cold weather package, premium sound
'07 Mercedes GL450
'07 Porsche 997 Carrera S
Thanks for the responses. I will check the fluid level first and top it off if necessary to see if that's a qiuck fix. If not, off to the dealer again (in 2-3 weeks when I can get a loaner car)...
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