BMW E31 General Module Capacitor Replacement 850i/840i 

I am! Send me an email, first initial, last name at gmail

@@caffeineismydrug I’ve sent you an email to you, thanks James

I’m sorry Scott, doesn’t seem to have gone through…I’ll check again

Hello Scott - I would to have my GM for BMW850 E31 repaired also, how can I contact you, thanks

Sure I'll fix it for you. Shoot me an email at first-initial last-name at gmail for details.

Follow the link to the repair document!

Generally problems locking or unlocking are GM related, particularly when the car doesn't go to sleep or doesn't wake up promptly on unlock. The major issue is that a car that doesn't sleep kill the battery in only a few days.

@@caffeineismydrug Thank you my friend you helped me

@@caffeineismydrug let me know if you prefer the youtube method or if you can’t access your messages over there. i don’t mind sending you my email but i’d rather not do that here

@@blvckdxvth I added a new email account to my youtube account profile-- this username at outlook

Good to hear! It's crazy that this video has so many views!

@@caffeineismydrug Once againI'm having GM issues with a 1998 E38. No wipers, no rear window lift operation, no quiet latch open or close of trunk, I've already put 12 volts pos. into fuses #3 and #28 with no change. GM supplies the ground to make this motor operate.(So i'm reading) The 3 of those tells me it's GM??? Any thoughts...

@@nonyahbiznezz9094 Sadly, I only really work on E31/E32/E34 modules. To my knowledge I haven't refurbished an E38 one yet, but could give it a try. It's likely the repair is similar, but probably different parts.

@@caffeineismydrug Thank you for considering it. Very kind of you to be willing.

It was a 95 840ci and hasn’t been driving in months becuase of this issue glad you could help keep them on the road

Awesome engineering into these vehicles. I've survived MAJOR smash and roll and ejection from GMC truck in 2006. I only survived by NOT wearing a seatbelt! BMW that I drive now E38 has door latches that hold doors closed during side impact. I feel safe in my caqr.

When the GM capacitors dry out after ~15-20 years of operation, the convenience electronics (Windows, locks, wipers, interior lights, sunroof, etc) powered by the Consumer Cut Out Relays will sometimes not work when the car is cold. Additionally, the GM is responsible for putting the car to sleep after 16 minutes, which reduces current from 500mA to 50mA. Owners with bad/original capacitors find their batteries will die in 2-5 days of sitting as a result of the constant 500mA+ load on the car. Your instrument cluster issue is not likely related to the aging GM capacitors. Tons more information on these types of electrical gremlins at bimmerforums.com (and several others)

+Scott D'Vileskis I've been trying to find more information about fixing an ekm module. Also, I'm guessing I need to change the capacitors. My e31 has two brand new batteries. And they don't won't start after two days of sitting without using it

Sorry, I don't often venture away from the E31 repairs. I simply don't have that much free time! Sorry!

But to answer your question, Electrolytic capacitors that are 20-30yrs old are always suspect first. Cold/Cracked solder joints second. If Something overheated, or there's visible burn damage, then possibly a transistor (FET) attached to heatsink could be bad (these are not always as 'easy' to source/replace).

Okay thanks we'll have a look! The EDC system is the same I believe on E34 and E31 as well as E32, very few people seem to know about it though. Cheers.

@@jameshay469 Check all caps for value using multimeter. As Scott says " 20 & 30myear old caps do loose their values in micro farrads.

My apologies-- I was assuming if someone found this video, they knew what they were looking for and why ;-) When the GM capacitors dry out after ~15-20 years of operation, the convenience electronics (Windows, locks, wipers, interior lights, sunroof, etc) powered by the Consumer Cut Out Relays will sometimes not work at all or when the car is cold. Additionally, the GM is responsible for putting the car to sleep after 16 minutes, which reduces current from 500mA to 50mA. Owners with bad/original capacitors find their batteries will die in 2-5 days of sitting as a result of the constant 500mA+ load on the car. Bad GM capacitors is commonly accompanied by periodic clicking of the consumer cut out relays in the trunk as the car powers up, the GM reboots, relays power down, etc.

Scott D'Vileskis Thx. I thought I knew roughly... I had all those symptoms. I had one bad battery as it turned out. All cured. However you've made me realise that I should check to see what battery drain is on shut off and again 20 mins later. Thanks again.

Main Capacitor: 14M6702 (Vishay 470uF, 40V Low ESR, 10000 hrs @ 105C, 12.5x30mm) ~$2.77/ea For the Smaller Capacitors, I am now using the brand Multicomp, they have a smaller footprint than the Vishay ones I used before and fit better. I also picked up a ~$30 bottle of conformal coating. 97M3998 100uF 25V 105C 8x13mm ~$0.38 97M3989 47uF 25V 105C 6x13mm ~$0.29 97M4031 1uF 63V 105C 6x13mm ~$0.29 97M4032 10uF 63V 105C 6x13mm ~$0.31

It's commonly called a solder sucker!