Cluster freak out and trans fail notifacation

[bimmernuwb]

well today i started my car i have not driven it for about a week, it has rained a few times this week.

when i started my car today, the gauge cluster was freaking out saying hot cold on the temp gauge, the rpm was dancing around and the fuel was going from empty to full. along with that the trans fail safe poped up, the engine it self was running fine. after about 15 min of the car running the gauges started working correctly. the car was at its nominal operating temp. i drove it 2 miles to the nearist liqour store to get a snickers ice cream bar. i then started the car once again and the fail safe trans. notifcataion was no longer poping up, i drove it .5 miles to a friends house and i noticed the temp gauge climb into the 3/4 range by the time i parked, its the first time it has ever done it. i turned on the A/C and the temp gauge went back to normal and i ran it for a few more min. without the A/C and the cars temp never went back up!

oh and the other thing that didnt work during the first 15 min of starting the car up this morning was the M.I.D display. and my clock was incorrect!

would something have gotten wet for the gauge cluster to freak out? it was a rather freaky thing to happen and i have not owned the car that long, i plan on doing new trans fluid and oil change. both are most likly over due!:(

i really hope its relitivily fixable and not gonna put me out of a car. thanks

[7thDimension]

Replace your battery. A bad battery can cause many different intermittent electrical issues, including trans failsafe, and cluster issues...

[psjr]

Definitely the kinds of issues usually caused by low voltage.
You mention it rained; check the E-box and the modules behind the glovebox for water before having your battery checked.

[blackeyed]

would something have gotten wet for the gauge cluster to freak out?

Yes.. The ABS module my friend

check this

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1571029

[bimmernuwb]

what is the e box? is that the ones under the hood

[Mayorchuck]

Yes, passenger side near the firewall. Check the status of your battery as suggested. Check the DIY section at the top of the page to see how to unlock your cluster to do this. Then, disconnect your battery cables (battery nap) and charge you battery overnight if needed.

[bimmernuwb]

I checked out the batt. It's good. I'm getting moisture in my trunk. I have rust around the bAttery. Not sure were it's coming from. Car is good running now but I'm guessing it I let it sit it will do it again

so what about under the dash, and if there was a way mosture was getting inside were would i look

[Mayorchuck]

Look in and behind your glovebox. Clogged sunroof drains often cause water to get to those areas. First clue is usually a damp/wet passenger floor. Your General Module is behind the glove box and it does not like getting wet.

[jhstealth]

I had this happen and it was my traction control module sending bad info over the can bus and confusing the car essentially. To be honest apart from a battery you should really pull codes before u start throwing money around.