Eletrical issues!!! Please help!!!

[JGannon11]

So first, i have a 10/96 540i

Now the issues. First i hear a small sopinning like noise up by my radio when car is off. something like the tape player guides are spinning, but when i open to listen its not coming frome there??? I have no idea

Second, my interior lights flash on and off at random. suggesting i have a short. but i have looked and seemingly cannot find anything that looks out of the ordinary.

thirdly, in the driverside controls i can roll my window down but no one elses. is it the whole switch board? or maybe just those individual switches not too sure.

lastly wipers and sprayers. i seem to not be able to find a location for this issues. modules, fuses, etc

responses are wanted and appreciated thanks

-that one asian guy

[JimLev]

The noise you here is probably the small air sampling fan that is in the temp control panel, aka the HVAC panel.
The fan will shut itself off after 16 min when all the modules power down, ie go to sleep. If you open a door or unlock the car the modules wake up. If you take that HVAC module apart you will probably find it packed with dust.

Lights flashing on and off? Maybe it's the ignition switch, need more info.

Can you operate the other windows from the switches in those other doors?

Wipers and washers, there is a fuse above the glove box for them, they are controlled by the general module, GM, which is behind the glove box. You also have relays under the pass side cabin air filter box under the hood, in the DME box.

[jstern]

The noise you here is probably the small air sampling fan that is in the temp control panel, aka the HVAC panel.
The fan will shut itself off after 16 min when all the modules power down, ie go to sleep. If you open a door or unlock the car the modules wake up. If you take that HVAC module apart you will probably find it packed with dust.

Lights flashing on and off? Maybe it's the ignition switch, need more info.

Can you operate the other windows from the switches in those other doors?

Wipers and washers, there is a fuse above the glove box for them, they are controlled by the general module, GM, which is behind the glove box. You also have relays under the pass side cabin air filter box under the hood, in the DME box.

+1. OP should perform the visor test for the ignition switch. QSilver's thread on Bimmerfest says it all: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=358204

[JGannon11]

The noise you here is probably the small air sampling fan that is in the temp control panel, aka the HVAC panel.
The fan will shut itself off after 16 min when all the modules power down, ie go to sleep. If you open a door or unlock the car the modules wake up. If you take that HVAC module apart you will probably find it packed with dust.

Lights flashing on and off? Maybe it's the ignition switch, need more info.

Can you operate the other windows from the switches in those other doors?

Wipers and washers, there is a fuse above the glove box for them, they are controlled by the general module, GM, which is behind the glove box. You also have relays under the pass side cabin air filter box under the hood, in the DME box.

the over head reading and main lights including rears will flash on intermittently. some times it does some times its doesn't. Insanely inconvenient lol.

Yes I can operate the other windows with their switches.

Thanks for the wiper info will check tomorrow.