Found active steering malfunction cause: Broken wire at the X/Y14035 connector serving the "electric lock" part of the active steering gearbox.

 

Check to c if u have a bmw or a after mkt battery. When it gets cold like this u get all kinds of codes when the battery is old. Check the date on the battery. I used to get codes and active steering codes when it got cold. N the summer I did not. So u probaly need a new battery. After changing mine this winter I have no codes.

 

did that take care of the fluctuating idle too?

 

I had to yank the alternator, jack up left side of engine and remove engine mount to have any chance of getting to the electrical connector on the steering gear. Since I have the alternator out, it is going in for a rebuild: new voltage regulator and check the rectifier. Alt shops seems to think the rectifier could be bad (symptom: alt load/unload with noise). Anyway, if an alternator rebuild does not fix the problem, at least I can rule it out and have peace of mind that the alt is good for awhile. Battery is BMW label and I have no idea how old it is.

As a reminder: When alternator settles down, idle settles down (or vice versa).

 

if you can get to the "alternator gasket" while you have all of that out of the way I'd do it. it's a $2 gasket but can cause a major oil leak, right onto the exhaust headers. real nice smokescreen. happened on our 745.

realoem link

 

I already replaced "alternator gasket" last month...man what a PITA that was (it was leaking badly when I purchased car). Took alternator to alternator rebuild shop and they phoned to say alternator was toast...bad rectifier. Rectifier's are not available seperately, so I had to order reman. alternator.

 

you can get the rebuild for ~$275 at autozone or via ebay. sounds like I'm going to have to do that too even though mine is under warranty, since it's not throwing any codes.

 

I have the same issues DavidF is facing. I fear the alternator may be part of the equation. I know my front valve covers are leaking, and I'm guessing that oil isn't doing any favors to the rest of the systems...

 

New (reman) alternator solved the alternator/charging problem. Idle is now rock steady at all times.

 

hey davidF did the new (reman) alternator solve the driving malfunctions? ive had this issue with my car for about a yr to the point i dont even drive her anymore =/ let me know!