lilian_hunter6
BMW 3 Tire Sensor Issues Causing Multiple Warning Lights
Summary of the thread
The conversation revolves around a 2003 BMW 3 experiencing low tire pressure warnings and speedometer errors, suspected to be caused by a tire pressure sensor issue. A similar case with a 2005 BMW 5 series revealed that a dead TPMS sensor battery was the culprit, leading to dashboard flickering and speedometer glitches. The suggested solution is to replace the TPMS sensor, as temporary fixes like system resets only provide short-term relief. The replacement resolved the issues without further complications, and the cost was considered reasonable.
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4 comment(s)
lilian_hunter6 (community.author)
Thanks for sharing that experience! My BMW just hit 118917 KM and I'm getting pretty worried about these warnings. The fault code I'm getting is 2E4A. Glad to hear replacing the TPMS sensor fixed it for you, gives me hope it's not something more serious. Had my last service two months ago and everything was fine then. Did you notice any other weird behavior before fixing the sensor? Like dashboard lights flickering or anything?
benmystic10
Hey again! Good to hear back from you. Yeah, I remember dealing with that exact fault code on my 5 series too. Actually, before getting the TPMS sensor replaced, I did notice some other quirks, mainly the dashboard would occasionally flicker when starting the car in cold weather, and sometimes the speedometer would jump around a bit while driving. Since you mentioned your car just hit 118917 KM, that's pretty much the same mileage where mine started acting up. These TPMS sensors typically last about 8-10 years or around 120000 KM, so the timing makes sense. Just a heads up though, when I first got these symptoms, I tried resetting the tire pressure monitoring system myself to save some cash, but it only helped temporarily. The warnings kept coming back after a few days. Honestly, it's worth just getting the sensor replaced properly. After the fix, I haven't had a single issue with those warnings or speedometer glitches. And since you mentioned your last service was just two months ago, I doubt it's anything more serious than what I experienced. Still, better safe than sorry, get it checked out when you can. Let me know how it goes! Always happy to share experiences with a fellow BMW owner.
lilian_hunter6 (community.author)
Thanks so much for all that detailed info! Really helpful to hear your experience with the same fault code. It's actually a relief knowing your car had similar symptoms at around the same mileage. You're right about not trying quick fixes, I was actually considering trying that reset trick myself, but now I won't waste time with that. I'll get it into the shop next week. The flickering dashboard you mentioned in cold weather, that's exactly what I've been seeing too! Should've mentioned that earlier. Fingers crossed it'll be a straightforward sensor replacement like yours was. The 280 Euro you mentioned seems pretty reasonable compared to what I was worried it might cost. Thanks again for taking the time to help out with this. Really appreciate having someone who's been through the same thing share their experience. I'll probably update the thread after I get it fixed, just in case someone else runs into the same problem with their BMW down the road.
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benmystic10
Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2005 BMW 5 series (also owned a 7 series before). Got some experience with BMWs but I'm no expert. Last winter, my car showed exactly those symptoms, tire pressure warnings popping up and wonky speedometer readings. After checking it at my usual workshop, turned out the TPMS sensor battery was completely dead. Got it replaced, and everything went back to normal. The whole thing cost me about 280 Euro. Before you head to a workshop though, what's the exact model of your 3 series and which fault code are you getting? Might help pinpoint if it's the same issue I had. Trust me, better get it checked soon, these sensor issues can sometimes give false readings about your tire pressure, which isn't something you want to risk.