I have a 1997 540i and last week I noticed a ticking sound coming from the trunk when I started the engine first thing in the morning. I got out and checked the trunk and opened the fuse panel cover and heard the tick coming from a relay. I put my finger on each one and found the one in the middle ticking. I drove on it anyway and the ticking went away when the car warmed up. I figured it was bad or going bad so I went to the dealership and purchased one for $13.00. I unplugged the old one and swapped it out. No problem. No ticking. The next time I got in the car later that day, still no ticking and I went home from work. The next time I started the car was a couple of days later first thing in the morning and again tick, tick, tick, tick.... coming from the trunk. Same exact (new) one. The middle one in the group of three lime green relay switches. I called the BMW mechanic (not the dealership) and they said there was a posting about some faulty green relay switches. I called the BMW dealership where I got the part and asked about replacing it and they said they would have to take the car in for "service" to warranty the part to see if the problem is the relay. If so, they replace the relay for free. If not, I pay for the parts and labor for whatever they identified as the problem.
Has anyone ever experienced this problem or heard of this?
Should I take it in to the dealer for "service" or just try to find a used one?
http://www.bmwboard.com/forum/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=8#
Idea
Has anyone ever experienced this problem or heard of this?
Should I take it in to the dealer for "service" or just try to find a used one?
http://www.bmwboard.com/forum/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=8#
Idea