After Steering Wheel Swap, the Windshield Wipers won't stop...

[graylens]

Hello everyone, I'm the new owner of a 2013 BMW 328xi, build date 02/2013. It came with the standard leather wheel, option S240, S248 (heated), and S249 (Multifunction F steering wheel). From RealOEM, I think it's probably part number 32309483020. I decided that I'd like to upgrade to a wheel with paddle shifters.

I obtained a 2016 BMW X6 wheel, with the exact same buttons on the horizontal spokes, but with paddle shifters, black with silver trim. I'm not sure of the exact part number, but it maybe 32306877872. It's not heated, and from the buttons I think it's just Driving Assistant (cruise control buttons) but not Driving Assistant Plus. Is there a way to tell?

Although releasing the original 12-year old airbag took considerably more time then the videos, the new X6 steering wheel had a different airbag, with the same main connector, but lacking the small white connector with which research has something to do with the horn.

Spline count was the same and the new steering wheel slipped on without incident. I was cautious and I connected the X6 airbag connector, but did not engage the two clips to close it to the wheel.

On reconnecting the battery, my windshield wipers came on and would not respond to shutting off, going about half speed. Turning signals don't appear to work either. I inspected and although it was fine, replaced FEM Fuse #10, but this had no effect. I've now also pulled every FEM fuse and manually tested them, they're all fine. I tried putting back on the original wheel and original airbag, no effect.

Scanning for codes using BlueDriver, after a clear I get the following errors:

1 Dynamic Stability Control Code

D35448 Signal error (Bedienung Wischertaster, ID: Bedienung Wischer)- invalid

6 Body Domain Controller Codes

030350 Switching centre steering column (SZL) (LIN): lack LIN-Slave
030352 Switching centre steering column (SZL) (LIN): Alive-counter-Error
030410 multifunction-Steering wheel (MFL): lack LIN-Slave
030490 Steering wheel module (LRE) (LIN): lack LIN-Slave
D90C0A LIN Master D: No communication
D90C0D LIN Master E: No communication

1 Instrument Cluster Code

E12C35 Status Active -interface SZL/FEM/BDC (Control steering column stalk button, 0x1EE): invalid signal

First, how do I stop my windshield wipers from staying on? I tried the rear fuse above the battery #82, that didn't stop it. However, that fuse maybe just for any rear wipers. I cannot find a fuse that just controls the front wiper's motor. Will I have to pull at the motor?

Second, is the X6 steering wheel invalid for my F30 and the cause of this error?

Third, can I somehow reset the FEM so the original steering wheel would work again?

I have the full version of BimmerCode if this could help in clearing this. This week, I received a new SZL/Switch Unit Steering Column, and installed it, and there was no change in the codes.

Thank you for any help in advance, this situation is akin to working on the engine and a tire falls off...

[328 Power 04]

I would suggest checking if all the wiring in the steering wheel you plugged in was the same/corresponding to the original steering wheel. It sounds like something was shorted and consequently damaged.
You will need better tools for both diag and reference.

Not sure if this swap is directly compatible.

[graylens]

I would suggest checking if all the wiring in the steering wheel you plugged in was the same/corresponding to the original steering wheel. It sounds like something was shorted and consequently damaged.
You will need better tools for both diag and reference.

Not sure if this swap is directly compatible.

I agree, it appears the X6 steering wheel was not compatible, but what are next steps? The FEM appears to be working, in that I can drive the car around with the windshield wipers going all the time, I can roll up/down my windows, start the car, etc. Would Bimmerlink help, or do I need ISTA+? Did I just kill the wire loom going from the FEM to the center stalk? From the problem codes, it's like the center stalk is no longer on the car's network.

[328 Power 04]

Have you checked wiring diagrams to see if there is any incompatibility?

If you shorted a complete circuit on the FEM, you'll probably need to replace the FEM. I believe they are clonable with the current tools.

[graylens]

Have you checked wiring diagrams to see if there is any incompatibility?

If you shorted a complete circuit on the FEM, you'll probably need to replace the FEM. I believe they are clonable with the current tools.

If I shorted a complete circuit on the FEM, why didn't FEM fuse #10 just blow and protect the circuit?

I'm currently in Pinetop AZ with limited internet to do a search, could anyone give me the relevant links on FEM removal and cloning? How much monetary damage am I looking at? I believe I can do a local junk yard pull of a FEM from another 328i (no Xdrive).

What tools are needed to firmly diagnose that I've damaged my FEM?

[328 Power 04]

Fuses are for overloading a circuit.. there's nothing to stop anyone from shorting a communication network for example, those are not fused.

This is why I keep mentioning you need to see to the wiring diagrams first - to check for wiring breaks, continuity, and what may have happened. Diag first. I would read codes in the FEM module with a capable BMW scan tool.
It's quite challenging to do this without being in front of the car.

Diag first and then move to repairs.
FEM cloning is possible, I can do this if needed. Typically around $200 for the labor to program everything in on bench, especially if there's no computer diagnostics or Internet on your end.
Original FEM + a key is necessary on bench, plus a matching replacement FEM. I wouldn't necessarily trust a random junkyard pull FEM since there are so many variants.

The FEM is the vehicle gateway, vehicle security, body control, and main module that holds all vehicle data. Doing it wrong will cause a lot of issues.

[graylens]

Thank you Abel, this is some progress. Are the codes in the original post not from the FEM? Is it ISTA that is needed for further FEM diagnosis?

[graylens]

Oh, and I’ll be back to full internet with a wired ENET-ESYS adapter that I can hook up to BimmerCode on my iPhone or my Windows laptop later today (9/15)

[328 Power 04]

Yes, they are, I had to check if they were equivalent to FEM and they are.

It looks like the LIN network has been killed.
If the wires have continuity, then the FEM has been damaged.

Looking online, some others managed to damage their FEM with water intrusion in the same way.

[graylens]

OK Abel, and independent using his scan tool verified no communication is happening between the FEM and the center stalk (SZL). He believes the next step is to clone my FEM to another. Should I go get a junkyard pull, and how does an online clone of a FEM actually work?

[328 Power 04]

Not sure what you mean by online clone, but to clone one, they must be similar in type, and the original FEM and one original key would need to be shipped out, and then the spare FEM would then get all that data. It's a bit of a process.

As for the quality of a spare, it's probably impossible to know if the replacement is truly good, as who knows what they've been through in their salvage status. But I suppose they are cheap enough.

[graylens]

Hello Abel,

Tried to Private Message you, the forum said you "has exceeded their stored private messages quota and cannot accept further messages until they clear some space."

Scott's German Auto Repair here in Peoria just verified that the FEM must be replaced, and quoted me over $1500 to get a new FEM from Germany, ship it over, program it, etc.

So, to alternatives, there is at least one 328i here in metro Phoenix I can do a junkyard pull from. Does it need to also be a 328i with XDrive or are all FEM's compatible of the same year? Would a 320i or 335i of the same year also be viable? Is it more important the year, or the model?

Any issues with actually disconnecting and removing the FEM? I assume just have the battery disconnected?

Last, I believe in an earlier post you said you'll do this for $200 once I ship you my FEM and a donor FEM? I have two keys, would I need to ship them both to you?

Thank you for being so helpful. Had no idea I was getting into a 4-digit retail repair.

[328 Power 04]

Try again and send me your email address. My PM inbox fills up way too quickly.

For perfect cloning to work, you should get the same type of FEM (they have writing on them, FEM LOW, MID, HIGH, MAX etc.) and ideally the same part number (although there are hundreds of variations). So at least similar year range and variant.

Ship both keys to test them both. For variants you should check what you have in your car first and email me pictures.

[graylens]

Sent you my email.

[graylens]

Hello Abel, I was able to find a locksmith locally that was able to clone my FEM. Put it in, and the same errors persist involving the SZL/Steering column. I'm now thinking bad cabling from the SZL to the FEM, or the SZL I purchased from eBay was defective.

In other news, I now have many other codes after the clone that may be from going from my old HIGH FEM to the locksmith's new MAX FEM, but I'll start another thread or swap back in my old FEM if I can't get those codes to clear.

[graylens]

Hello all, I finally relented and took my BMW into the local dealership. They tested both my new MAX FEM (cloned from my original HIGH FEM), the wiring cable between the FEM and the steering stalk SZL. Tech then told me the SZL that I purchased from eBay was the fault; both FEM's tested fine. They quoted me $1600 to install a new SZL -- I said thanks, can I have my car back. Oddly, and no one has an explanation yet, as I was driving back the 5 miles from the dealership, I noticed I had turning signals, and my windshield nubs (I still have the wiper arms off so they don't destroy themselves) were no longer moving! So the original problem is GONE. Slightly disturbing that I don't know why; Abel, do you think they reset the short-circuit counter and that's how all the LIN-slave errors magically went away?

I now have some new issues, on which I will start a new thread, but the car is completely drivable.