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Old 10-16-2016, 11:41 AM
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Electric Fan turning on in moderate traffic...how often is "normal"?

2007 X5 3.0si

I recently changed the electric pump and thermostat after a failure (1 months ago). I also replaced several hoses and used new coolant.

So far the car has been working fine (knock on wood), however, I have noticed a few times in moderate stop-n-go traffic that the electric fan gets activated. e.g. after 10-15 minutes in traffic, I hear the fan activating, it lasts for a 3-4 minutes and then turns off.Outside temperature is not high (20 degrees celsius).

I have already checked coolant level, all hoses and everything seems ok (or at least could not see any leaks).

Maybe I'm just paranoid but would appreciate hearing from others how often and under which conditions the fan is activated or any suggestions on what else should I check...

Thanks,

Last edited by CLS70; 10-16-2016 at 11:43 AM. Reason: typo
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Old 10-16-2016, 03:32 PM
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Doesn't sound unusual to me. But to be sure, unlock the OBC, go to test 7 and monitor coolant temp before, during and after your stint in traffic.
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Old 10-16-2016, 03:45 PM
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Thanks will look for the unlock process and check the temperature changes.

The frequency seems significantly higher; it almost feels like the threshold on which the fan is being activated now is lower than before I changed the thermostat.

If this is the behavior under light traffic and Fall temperatures outside, I'm afraid that under a summer heat wave, A/C on and true gridlock (full stop) could stress the system way over.....

As a side note, I have an e60, which has an electric fan as well and it rarely goes off.
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Old 11-01-2016, 11:37 AM
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What is an OBC?

I changed my WP a little over a year ago and I too, still hear the aux fan come on super high, at times... I also get paranoid when I hear it
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Old 11-01-2016, 12:49 PM
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Yes, I guess I'm just paranoid as well; the experience of losing the WP in the middle of the highway was not a good one !!

OBC = On Board Computer; you can "unlock" (=access) a series of "menus" in the X5 Dashboard (and most BMWs) to see different car & engine values, one of them is the precise Engine Temperature.
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Old 11-01-2016, 01:12 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by noelskii View Post
What is an OBC?
The OBC is the onBoard CPU. Depending on model or options...various information can be called up in this instrument cluster's OBC display. On your e70 X5...it would be the 2 displays in-between the speedometer and tachometer gauges:


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Old 11-01-2016, 01:37 PM
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Mine also turns on during traffic.
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Old 11-01-2016, 02:02 PM
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FYI- nomenclature police:

OBC is more accurately OBDC or On Board Diagnostics Computer.

OBD is mandated by federal law. It is the part of the engine control system that has to do with emissions controls. Back in the day there was an OBDC that ran this.

Today, every emissions test that connects to a car, expects to find a communication port that presents federally specified data to an external computer. OBD data is usually a smaller subset of the larger amount of data (and error codes) that a manufacturer might specify. (this can be why the CEL light is off, yet a BMW code may be set- a OBD code reader will see nothing; a BMW reader may see issues>)

Now there can be one computer OR several. You can unlock the OBD functions which may simply be unlocking access to the OBD mandated measurements that run as a subset of the many functions the BMW DME (digital motor electronics) controls. The DME is the main physical computer than controls all drivetrain functions (there may be other modules but the DME is the top dog.

Again, just to put the alphabet soup into context.


Finally, I believe all cars are required to allow simple access to OBD functions- hence you have dash unlocking. Federal law required them to make cars repairable by other than Mfg specific computers....does everyone realize how Fd we would be if mfgs had been allowed to lock down their cpus?

(Im bored today)
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Old 11-01-2016, 03:54 PM
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To follow that up, you can buy a $20 Bluetooth OBDII reader and hook it up with your phone. I know there are good Android apps, I don't have an iPhone. It'll allow you to watch and record live data. Probably a little easier than through the little screen on the dash.
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Old 11-01-2016, 04:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ard View Post
FYI- nomenclature police:

OBC is more accurately OBDC or On Board Diagnostics Computer.

OBD is mandated by federal law. It is the part of the engine control system that has to do with emissions controls. Back in the day there was an OBDC that ran this.

Today, every emissions test that connects to a car, expects to find a communication port that presents federally specified data to an external computer. OBD data is usually a smaller subset of the larger amount of data (and error codes) that a manufacturer might specify. (this can be why the CEL light is off, yet a BMW code may be set- a OBD code reader will see nothing; a BMW reader may see issues>)

Now there can be one computer OR several. You can unlock the OBD functions which may simply be unlocking access to the OBD mandated measurements that run as a subset of the many functions the BMW DME (digital motor electronics) controls. The DME is the main physical computer than controls all drivetrain functions (there may be other modules but the DME is the top dog.

Again, just to put the alphabet soup into context.


Finally, I believe all cars are required to allow simple access to OBD functions- hence you have dash unlocking. Federal law required them to make cars repairable by other than Mfg specific computers....does everyone realize how Fd we would be if mfgs had been allowed to lock down their cpus?

(Im bored today)
Nomenclature FBI (please take this in jest)

Actually...i think you may be conflating two different things...and it could be due to how the OBC in the instrument cluster has moved from the center console (or nav screen) to the instrument cluster itself on the new generation models...where both OBC & OBD info can appear.

OBC is the onBoard CPU (at least on the older generation BMWs like the e38/e39/e53 or e32/e34/e36) that gives info like AVG MPG, AVG MPH, DATE, TIME, RANGE, DISTANCE, ETC. This terminology is also associated with the "BC" (board CPU) button you may see on the tip of your turn indicator stalk...or your MID (older generation BMWs)

{OBC used in the e32/e34/e36}



{the OBC features were accessed through the MID on the e38/e39/e53 that didn't have the nav screen}







{the OBC (aka CID -central information display) used on new gen BMWs with iDrive}




OBD (or OBDC) is as you say...the onBoard diagnostics which is related to OBD II and the federal mandate for emissions and emissions testing etc.



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Last edited by Qsilver7; 11-01-2016 at 05:01 PM.
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