Weird electronics while on track....

[inTgr8r]

I have a weird thing happening when I'm on track with the car..

The iDrive flips between different screens and will also flash a BMW logo on screen.
I was also informed by the marshal that my left headlight halo ring flashes rapidly..

The weird thing is it only happens while on track, on the street I've never had the slightest hiccup with things.

I started turning the iDrive display off while on track, but still doesn't solve the underlying issue..

Oh, & no codes logged.

[roastbeef]

No loss or hiccups with power?

I had similar symptoms when I tried and antigravity rs20 battery. I don't think the electronics management system communicated well with that battery and it caused problems like that.

[dparm]

Sounds like an intermittent short. First thing I would do is check the battery voltage + cables and alternator output.

You said it happens on track -- are there any specific conditions, e.g. heavy braking, turns to one particular side, on upshifts, etc.?

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

No loss or hiccups with power?

I had similar symptoms when I tried and antigravity rs20 battery. I don't think the electronics management system communicated well with that battery and it caused problems like that.

No, nothing at all.
I still haven't installed my Voltphreaks battery. (it maybe destined for another project)

The battery did cross my mind though as its still original. (2013)

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by dparm

Sounds like an intermittent short. First thing I would do is check the battery voltage + cables and alternator output.

You said it happens on track -- are there any specific conditions, e.g. heavy braking, turns to one particular side, on upshifts, etc.?

Nothing specific, seemed rather random.
Since the left halo is also flashing, I was going to check related wiring there.

The only thing that leads me away from a short/bad connection is that it would do it at other times as well.

[roastbeef]

I'd maybe swap in the VP battery and see if it goes away.
My antigravity worked fine for four days until I took it to the track- then all this weird shit started and the car occasionally wouldn't start.

[inTgr8r]

Headed down to Watkins Glen next week. (4days)
Would be a good test for the VP.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

The only thing that leads me away from a short/bad connection is that it would do it at other times as well.

Maybe. Things are getting really toasty under there at the track and are getting jostled around.

Something else to remember is that the alternator is clutched out at WOT and you are running off the battery. On the track, you're obviously at WOT a lot. :-)

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by dparm

................

Something else to remember is that the alternator is clutched out at WOT and you are running off the battery. On the track, you're obviously at WOT a lot. :-)

Ahhhh excellent point!
I forgot about that.

Now that I think of it, it was generally towards the end of session as well.

[roastbeef]

did you see how i mounted my VP battery? cheap and pretty secure. might not pass a real tech inspection, but it isn't going anywhere. you don't have to invest more than $10 to experiment with the VP battery if you already have it... just be sure you already have the SAE posts.

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

did you see how i mounted my VP battery? cheap and pretty secure. might not pass a real tech inspection, but it isn't going anywhere. you don't have to invest more than $10 to experiment with the VP battery if you already have it... just be sure you already have the SAE posts.

Yes I did. Thanks!
I have already picked up everything needed for a similar installation.

[inTgr8r]

Update to this problem.

1. The blinking halos was a bad ballast for the LEDs that the PO installed.
They were a no-name product, likely sourced on eBay or such.
Installed Lux and all is good.

2. The issue with iDrive flipping screens occasionally on track still remains.
I have ruled out voltage, as I am now logging can bus data with Solo2 DL.
Voltage is consistant between 13.9 and 14.1
This still on OE battery..

[tom @ eas]

Run codes to see what module is getting affected. Could be indication of a failing module.

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Run codes to see what module is getting affected. Could be indication of a failing module.

Yeah, codes were checked, all clear.

[nicksm3]

Mine does the same thing! The center dash shuts shuts down, goes blank....then reappears. Only happens when I’m going at the limit with Slicks.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by nicksm3

Mine does the same thing! The center dash shuts shuts down, goes blank....then reappears. Only happens when I’m going at the limit with Slicks.

Slicks are going to throw a wrench into things. You are generating sustained lateral acceleration way beyond what BMW likely tested. Something could be sliding on its mounts, the wires could be getting pinched or stressed, who knows...

My car occasionally threw an airbag fault under hard braking on one particular section of track once I put race pads on. It was only on the one braking zone and after I had been on the brakes for about two seconds. The dealer tech checked it out and said it's a false positive, and basically told me that "once you start modifying the car to perform beyond the factory limits, everything goes out the window."

[nicksm3]

Originally Posted by dparm

Slicks are going to throw a wrench into things. You are generating sustained lateral acceleration way beyond what BMW likely tested. Something could be sliding on its mounts, the wires could be getting pinched or stressed, who knows...

My car occasionally threw an airbag fault under hard braking on one particular section of track once I put race pads on. It was only on the one braking zone and after I had been on the brakes for about two seconds. The dealer tech checked it out and said it's a false positive, and basically told me that "once you start modifying the car to perform beyond the factory limits, everything goes out the window."

Exactly!!! So......we just have to deal with it lol.
Truly is amazing how we don’t think about all these things as we modify, always after the fact.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by nicksm3

Exactly!!! So......we just have to deal with it lol.
Truly is amazing how we don’t think about all these things as we modify, always after the fact.

On the contrary, I do try to think about these things. Electronic gremlins is not something I would give a high probability to, but have you ever stopped to think about the load rating on your wheels and how long they'll last on the track? (for example)

[MSY]

Same shit happened to me on a 2 year battery after 30 track weekends. I'd swap it and tighten connections well