Hi there, I am 2nd owner of a M5 2006 with 48000 miles (still on original warranty). The car is showing a lot of warnings:
ABS malfunction, DSC failure, transmission failure, ftm failure, and servotronic malfunction, start-off assistant inactive, check battery terminals, screen goes blank, or flicker... ??? It all started with a PDC failure. Then the transmission warnings, then abs, dsc, steering. ftm, etc.

I took car to different dealer in the Twin cities, they all agree that the pdc was interfering with the other systems (some water got into trunk and corroded the PDC.

Last week, I have the PDC replaced, PDC is working fine now, but still the same warnings. Other than that car is running fine.
The dealer said that the diagnosis is showing a low voltage issues. They are talking about replacement the battery or maybe the engine management control unit. I was reading about Steering angle sensor SZL being an issue, any thoughs?

I need your help, anyone in this forum has/had experienced something similar?

 

Try here -> http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e60-m5-e6...ing-discussion/

 

Same issue when I first got my car (used '06).

The alternator is dying, or putting out too low a voltage. they need to replace the alternator, as well as the battery (usually the alternator kills the battery.) It took them 5 days to figure this out, even though everybody on the M5board already knew it. ;-)

 

2004 525i Sport Package, ARS, 6-speed manual

I am also having similar issues. Fault reported as Servotronic Failure, ARS Failure.

Dealer wants over $2000 to repair. I am hearing that the alternator does not provide enough current (or stable voltage and amps) to power. I saw a post where a new alternator and battery fixed this.
The dealer will not do a CIP/ISIS update of the computer until the faults clear. Other posts claim the updated software will fix the issue.

I will watch with interest. Mine happened at 50,001 and I thought it was programmed into the system to fail at 50k.

Dealer service just wants to sell hardware and repair, and says the computer has nothing to do with it.
It seems the dealers are was behind on the technology and poorly trained on the copmuter system.

Good luck!

 

Actually, it's usually the other way around.

The battery won't hold a charge properly, causing the alternator to have to constantly work to keep it charged. The alt's not designed for such hard work, so it dies.

I've seen guys in boosted rides have a bad alt/battery cost them a motor. A weak/dying alternator or battery caused the fuel pumps to not function properly, leading to a nasty lean condition.

*BANG*

Suddenly, you've got a window in the side of your block.

 

I just got mine today... All of a sudden DCS malfunction then 5 other malfunctions...
Got scared for a moment... I have 38,500 miles on mine... 06 April production.

 

everyone's issues are different, but since water damaged the PDC, I'm guessing the rest of the modules need replacing as well. Unfortunately, e60s are a little weak in that department. Search service bulletins - I'm pretty sure this is something that's been covered by BMW already, as it seems to be a pretty common issue, steming from an inherent design flaw.

 

Let us know if you get the issue resolved. I've experienced the same problem and the dealer and an independent shop both claim that the battery and alternator are fine.