Problem with lights, FRM tested fine

TLovelace · 05-19-2025, 10:05 AM

2009 Z4 E 89 sDrive30i

My car is parked until we can figure this out. One instance where the lights stayed on after car was parked, turned off, key removed and driver exited vehicle. I turned it on and back off again and lights went out. Next instance I noticed a sizzling noise and the headlights were flickering. No smell, no smoke. I had to turn it on and off several times to get the headlights to go out. Husband thinks its a relay chattering. I removed the FMR and sent it off for testing and it was found to be operating normally. The problems (chattering noise with flickering lights when car is running, lights remaining on when car is off and key is not in dash) is now consistent, and was consistent when the FRM was tested.

Car is stock except we added a head unit about a year ago. Had no trouble up until now so I don't believe that is connected. Has anyone seen anything similar and if s would you mind sharing what was wrong?

B21 · 05-19-2025, 05:22 PM

First point is to get someone with a decent bmw specfic fault code reader to see what gives..

These are complex cars..if the FRM is truly ok then it will be around the JBE interface in some way

TLovelace · 05-20-2025, 11:47 AM

Thank you. I have a BMW code reader and I can't figure out how to get the correct info out of it. It does throw a fault for the FRM but when you drill down there is no info. I guess the next step is to take it to a mechanic. Was hoping for a simple fix, but as you say, these are complex cars.

B21 · 05-20-2025, 12:48 PM

Several folks have had issues where 3rd parties have reported FRM ok but ..subsequently a swap of the FRM fixed matters ..sadly often a A:B swap is the definitive answer..

TLovelace · 05-21-2025, 08:41 AM

Don't you have to do a significant amount of reprogramming of the new FRM? I can write code on a computer but I have zero experience doing it on a BMW.

B21 · 05-22-2025, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLovelace

Don't you have to do a significant amount of reprogramming of the new FRM? I can write code on a computer but I have zero experience doing it on a BMW.

Yup its a bench level program..

05-19-2025, 10:05 AM	#1
TLovelace Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: BMW Z4 Join Date: Mar 2024 Location: Apollo Beach FL iTrader: (0)	Problem with lights, FRM tested fine 2009 Z4 E 89 sDrive30i My car is parked until we can figure this out. One instance where the lights stayed on after car was parked, turned off, key removed and driver exited vehicle. I turned it on and back off again and lights went out. Next instance I noticed a sizzling noise and the headlights were flickering. No smell, no smoke. I had to turn it on and off several times to get the headlights to go out. Husband thinks its a relay chattering. I removed the FMR and sent it off for testing and it was found to be operating normally. The problems (chattering noise with flickering lights when car is running, lights remaining on when car is off and key is not in dash) is now consistent, and was consistent when the FRM was tested. Car is stock except we added a head unit about a year ago. Had no trouble up until now so I don't believe that is connected. Has anyone seen anything similar and if s would you mind sharing what was wrong?
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05-19-2025, 05:22 PM	#2
B21 Major 454 Rep 1,345 Posts Drives: E89 Atacama Yellow 35is Join Date: May 2022 Location: Scotland..God’s own country iTrader: (0)	First point is to get someone with a decent bmw specfic fault code reader to see what gives.. These are complex cars..if the FRM is truly ok then it will be around the JBE interface in some way __________________ Much modified 2011 Atacama Yellow 35is…previously a much modified 2012 Atacama Yellow 20i MSport Change history here… https://www.dropbox.com/s/8h1vabklgz...0List.pdf?dl=0 Build thread here… https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=131886
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05-20-2025, 11:47 AM	#3
TLovelace Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: BMW Z4 Join Date: Mar 2024 Location: Apollo Beach FL iTrader: (0)	Thank you. I have a BMW code reader and I can't figure out how to get the correct info out of it. It does throw a fault for the FRM but when you drill down there is no info. I guess the next step is to take it to a mechanic. Was hoping for a simple fix, but as you say, these are complex cars.
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05-20-2025, 12:48 PM	#4
B21 Major 454 Rep 1,345 Posts Drives: E89 Atacama Yellow 35is Join Date: May 2022 Location: Scotland..God’s own country iTrader: (0)	Several folks have had issues where 3rd parties have reported FRM ok but ..subsequently a swap of the FRM fixed matters ..sadly often a A:B swap is the definitive answer.. __________________ Much modified 2011 Atacama Yellow 35is…previously a much modified 2012 Atacama Yellow 20i MSport Change history here… https://www.dropbox.com/s/8h1vabklgz...0List.pdf?dl=0 Build thread here… https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=131886
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05-21-2025, 08:41 AM	#5
TLovelace Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: BMW Z4 Join Date: Mar 2024 Location: Apollo Beach FL iTrader: (0)	Programming a new FRM? Don't you have to do a significant amount of reprogramming of the new FRM? I can write code on a computer but I have zero experience doing it on a BMW.
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