Power button comes on randomly, electronic gremlins?

Paddy · 07-22-2009, 01:04 AM

Some times I notice that when I start the car, the power button is on. It seems very random. I'm definitely not hitting it accidentally, anyone else experienced this. It only happens when I start the car, never mid drive.

I had a similar problem before where the AC would turn on randomly. I read one similar report who figured out that the temperature control was stuck between two settings. After I adjusted the temp controls, the problem went away.

spyderco10 · 07-22-2009, 01:08 AM

yup, power button comes on randomly when you start the car. for me it's maybe 1 in every 40 starts, the power button is lit up. this was brought up in a previous post and other members reported this also.

one time, sound wouldn't come out my radio, no matter what i tried. radio was on, just no sound. and yes, the volume was up. even tried shutting the car down several times. then i went to work. 8 hours later upon starting the car, the radio came on like normal. hasn't happened since.

Finnegan · 07-22-2009, 03:07 AM

Yeah, mine does that too. I don't drive with the power button on but every so often on start the thing is back on.

Just tell yourself its a feature! Since it's no big deal I'm not even going to discuss it with the dealer.

mkoesel · 07-22-2009, 08:51 AM

Strange.

Luckily, in my exprience anyway, the opposite never happens. That is, if you always drive with the Power button on, it won't ever be turned off at startup arbitrarily.

SoreHead · 07-22-2009, 09:49 AM

Are you using different keys or do you always use the same one?
You can have settings for each key that come on automatically when you use that key. If you're using both keys at different times you might have it set on one and not on the other?

Donbona · 07-22-2009, 09:55 AM

I have hit it with my left leg when going around a corner very sharply and at speed.

Subw00er · 07-22-2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoreHead

Are you using different keys or do you always use the same one?
You can have settings for each key that come on automatically when you use that key. If you're using both keys at different times you might have it set on one and not on the other?

+1

gr8000 · 07-22-2009, 10:05 AM

Never in my experience has the power button been on in itelf randomly / unintentionally.

JCbmw22 · 07-22-2009, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paddy

Some times I notice that when I start the car, the power button is on. It seems very random. I'm definitely not hitting it accidentally, anyone else experienced this. It only happens when I start the car, never mid drive.

I had a similar problem before where the AC would turn on randomly. I read one similar report who figured out that the temperature control was stuck between two settings. After I adjusted the temp controls, the problem went away.

Actually your car has a mind of its own... and when it does that it is saying GO FASTER NOW or else I will cause things to go a muck with the electronic components in me.

True Story

SlammedR8 · 07-22-2009, 02:21 PM

never happen to me before
im assuming your using a different key and that key is programemd for power on.

JCtx · 07-22-2009, 02:24 PM

Freaking gremlins seem to attack in different ways

. So far I had a momentary full volume blast, and when I started the car another time, all my settings were GONE

. And yes, with the same key. After having to set all the memories again (seat, presets, radio, etc), neither has happened again.. but only 1,700 miles on the clock.

Finnegan · 07-22-2009, 03:23 PM

Yeah, same key. And the power button only. But never the radio or other settings.

But now I have another theory! My car isn't my daily driver so it's at home when I'm not. And my wife always uses the power button when she drives the car. Hmmm....I think I may have found my "gremlin".

I really don't care if she drives it and she's under no obligation to tell me, so I bet she's driving it from time to time. That may not explain what some others are seeing, but it probably explains my situation.

Meh, I'm not going to worry about it.

mkoesel · 07-22-2009, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finnegan

Hmmm....I think I may have found my "gremlin".

Yeah, never mind the Power button, I'd be more concerned that I was married to a frickin' gremlin! Whatever you do don't let her in bright light and don't feed her after midnight! I'll refrain from telling you not to get her wet, because that would just be flat-out disrespectful.

aus · 07-22-2009, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spyderco10

yup, power button comes on randomly when you start the car. for me it's maybe 1 in every 40 starts, the power button is lit up. this was brought up in a previous post and other members reported this also.

one time, sound wouldn't come out my radio, no matter what i tried. radio was on, just no sound. and yes, the volume was up. even tried shutting the car down several times. then i went to work. 8 hours later upon starting the car, the radio came on like normal. hasn't happened since.

I've had all of the above. Maybe the same shift made our cars? I have a set key I use exclusively.

immiketoo · 07-22-2009, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Yeah, never mind the Power button, I'd be more concerned that I was married to a frickin' gremlin! Whatever you do don't let her in bright light and don't feed her after midnight! I'll refrain from telling you not to get her wet, because that would just be flat-out disrespectful.

LMAO

Finnegan · 07-22-2009, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Yeah, never mind the Power button, I'd be more concerned that I was married to a frickin' gremlin! Whatever you do don't let her in bright light and don't feed her after midnight! I'll refrain from telling you not to get her wet, because that would just be flat-out disrespectful.

Quote:

Originally Posted by immiketoo

LMAO

Yeah, it's a dangerous job, but someone has to do it!

Maybe I'll get my own show on the Discovery channel called "Gremlin Wives" and get Mike Rowe to do voice over....

Lemans_Blue_M · 07-22-2009, 07:26 PM

With all the electronics in these modern cars, it's a miracle that it works at all. I would hate to be a technician who is trying to find a short or ground fault in the wiring of this car.

I could re-wire my entire house with all the cables and wire harnesses!

Paddy · 07-22-2009, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoreHead

Are you using different keys or do you always use the same one?
You can have settings for each key that come on automatically when you use that key. If you're using both keys at different times you might have it set on one and not on the other?

Same fob all the time, I'm the only driver.

Montoya · 07-22-2009, 11:46 PM

I have the same issue. At random I will find the power button on. I always use the same key and drive with Power off 90% of the time.

Not a big deal, but irritating.

gemini330zhp · 07-23-2009, 12:12 AM

Maybe your car is telling you to drive faster!!!!

spyderco10 · 07-23-2009, 01:34 AM

same driver (me), same key (not sure where the other one is actually)...

Finnegan · 07-23-2009, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finnegan

Yeah, same key. And the power button only. But never the radio or other settings.

.... My car isn't my daily driver so it's at home when I'm not. And my wife always uses the power button when she drives the car. Hmmm....I think I may have found my "gremlin".

.

Nope! My wife is off the hook on this one!

I took the M3 to work today. Started to go home, power button off, and then realized I forgot something before I was out of the parking lot. Came back to the car, started it, and the power button was on.

07-22-2009, 01:04 AM	#1
Paddy Captain 73 Rep 664 Posts Drives: 18' M2, AW Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1)	Power button comes on randomly, electronic gremlins? Some times I notice that when I start the car, the power button is on. It seems very random. I'm definitely not hitting it accidentally, anyone else experienced this. It only happens when I start the car, never mid drive. I had a similar problem before where the AC would turn on randomly. I read one similar report who figured out that the temperature control was stuck between two settings. After I adjusted the temp controls, the problem went away.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

07-22-2009, 01:08 AM	#2
spyderco10 Colonel 63 Rep 2,427 Posts Drives: AW E92 M3 6MT Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Honolulu, HI iTrader: (0)	yup, power button comes on randomly when you start the car. for me it's maybe 1 in every 40 starts, the power button is lit up. this was brought up in a previous post and other members reported this also. one time, sound wouldn't come out my radio, no matter what i tried. radio was on, just no sound. and yes, the volume was up. even tried shutting the car down several times. then i went to work. 8 hours later upon starting the car, the radio came on like normal. hasn't happened since. __________________ “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” - John 3:16
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-22-2009, 03:07 AM	#3
Finnegan Dog Listener 701 Rep 7,850 Posts Drives: Z4M/. Z3M, E36/46 M3 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Teaching the dog to slalom iTrader: (22)	Yeah, mine does that too. I don't drive with the power button on but every so often on start the thing is back on. Just tell yourself its a feature! Since it's no big deal I'm not even going to discuss it with the dealer.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-22-2009, 08:51 AM	#4
mkoesel Moderator 7509 Rep 19,370 Posts Drives: No BMW for now Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canton, MI iTrader: (1)	Strange. Luckily, in my exprience anyway, the opposite never happens. That is, if you always drive with the Power button on, it won't ever be turned off at startup arbitrarily.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-22-2009, 09:49 AM	#5
SoreHead Captain 11 Rep 865 Posts Drives: 2009 M3 coupe - Manual Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 E92 [0.00]	Are you using different keys or do you always use the same one? You can have settings for each key that come on automatically when you use that key. If you're using both keys at different times you might have it set on one and not on the other?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-22-2009, 09:55 AM	#6
Donbona Lieutenant Colonel 166 Rep 1,659 Posts Drives: E93 M3 DCT 2008 Join Date: May 2009 Location: London UK iTrader: (0)	I have hit it with my left leg when going around a corner very sharply and at speed. __________________ M3 E93 DCT, Space Grey,BC HB29 Forged Deep Concave Wheels, Ericsson Amuse F/R Bumper, Evolve Full Exhaust System, INTRAX Coilovers, STOPTECH BBK, Performance Steering Wheel,Custom Red/Black Leather Seats,///M3 \|\|Bimmerpost M3 Car Of The Month May - 2010SOLD 2010 R35 GTR
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-22-2009, 10:05 AM	#8
gr8000 Major 72 Rep 1,172 Posts Drives: E92 M3 - DCT Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Athens, Greece iTrader: (0)	Never in my experience has the power button been on in itelf randomly / unintentionally.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-22-2009, 02:21 PM	#10
SlammedR8 Major General 521 Rep 5,483 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 40i/2020 R8 V10 Spyder Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (2)	never happen to me before im assuming your using a different key and that key is programemd for power on. __________________ Current: 2019 BMW X5 40i - Carbon Black/Tartufo Individual Leather 2020 Range Rover HSE - Black/Black 2020 Audi R8 V10 Performance Spyder 6MT - Ascari Blue/Black
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-22-2009, 02:24 PM	#11
JCtx Major General 258 Rep 5,012 Posts Drives: No BMW yet Join Date: May 2008 Location: El Paso TX iTrader: (0)	Freaking gremlins seem to attack in different ways . So far I had a momentary full volume blast, and when I started the car another time, all my settings were GONE . And yes, with the same key. After having to set all the memories again (seat, presets, radio, etc), neither has happened again.. but only 1,700 miles on the clock.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-22-2009, 03:23 PM	#12
Finnegan Dog Listener 701 Rep 7,850 Posts Drives: Z4M/. Z3M, E36/46 M3 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Teaching the dog to slalom iTrader: (22)	Yeah, same key. And the power button only. But never the radio or other settings. But now I have another theory! My car isn't my daily driver so it's at home when I'm not. And my wife always uses the power button when she drives the car. Hmmm....I think I may have found my "gremlin". I really don't care if she drives it and she's under no obligation to tell me, so I bet she's driving it from time to time. That may not explain what some others are seeing, but it probably explains my situation. Meh, I'm not going to worry about it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-22-2009, 07:26 PM	#17
Lemans_Blue_M Automotive Industry Insider 462 Rep 1,948 Posts Drives: Lemans Blue M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	With all the electronics in these modern cars, it's a miracle that it works at all. I would hate to be a technician who is trying to find a short or ground fault in the wiring of this car. I could re-wire my entire house with all the cables and wire harnesses! __________________ The best is yet to come...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-22-2009, 11:46 PM	#19
Montoya Lieutenant 52 Rep 574 Posts Drives: 2015 GT3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Portland iTrader: (0)	I have the same issue. At random I will find the power button on. I always use the same key and drive with Power off 90% of the time. Not a big deal, but irritating. __________________ '08 E92 IB, Gone '10 GT3 now in my garage! '10 X5 3.5D '12 E91 Xi Wagon MT sports package
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-23-2009, 12:12 AM	#20
gemini330zhp Major 34 Rep 1,181 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 E90 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: BergenCo NewJersey iTrader: (0)	Maybe your car is telling you to drive faster!!!! __________________ 2008 Jet Black E90 M3 6SPD no sunroof and 18s to my specs
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-23-2009, 01:34 AM	#21
spyderco10 Colonel 63 Rep 2,427 Posts Drives: AW E92 M3 6MT Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Honolulu, HI iTrader: (0)	same driver (me), same key (not sure where the other one is actually)... __________________ “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” - John 3:16
	Appreciate 0 Quote