Expert: Don Berlan - 8/16/2006

Question
Not really a question but here's my problem try to make this short and to the point. Have 1997 528i. All was fine then one day the door locks stopped working, I reset by pulling and checking fuses and removing the neg. bat term.. This worked all fine. then several weeks later did it again and this time windows/sunroof stopped working as well. reset all well. Then(now) reseting is not working but get this, locks don't work at all central or by key in door, headlights on chime doesn't work, wipers don't work, passenger rearview does not tilt when put in Reverse, auto window/sunroof open close doesn't work not to mention two back windows don't work at all(and they have new regulators and worked prior to this), keyless entry trunk pop doesn't work, and you can't move the seats to adjust unless the key is turned on + no memory obviously!!     Now when I remove the neg. bat. term. and reattach it sparks ( I know short) but where? there is so much not working something isn't right. control module? alarm? where are the trouble areas of these cars? suggestions? The odd thing is no fuses are blowing so what am i slowly burning up? Need alittle, ahhh whom am I kidding, need alot of help and guidance. Am very good with these sort of things but never had to deal with a BMW and it's my wifes car so can you feel the pressure with me. get-r-done... oh yeah one more odd thing. way before all this the shift indicator light would stay lit but now it works just fine, guess the car wanted to give me one before leaving me with havoc. Thanks Ed  

Answer
Having to reset the system as you have is quite a mess for sure.I would check the body ground(the negative braided cable)If it has any green in it at all will cause a problem.It all seems to be related as it doesn't work all of a sudden,so I would look at the grounds.