1998 BMW 740IL problems

Filed Apr 9, 2015 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 97,268 miles · MS

The alarm system runs down the battery and the head lights blanks constantly while car is running also back taillight blank off on passage side.

Filed Apr 9, 2015 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 97,386 miles · MS

The alarm system runs down the battery and the head lights blanks constantly while car is running also back taillight goes off on on on passage side .

Filed Feb 25, 2015 · Acceleration, Brakes · 79,000 miles · IL

I was driving my bmw 740il on 2-17-2015 when after getting onto the highway and accelerating, there was a loud boom noise and black pieces shot out onto the road in front of me. I immediately got off the first exit only to find that 1.) the car wouldn't stop after I applied the brakes, and 2.) the car continued to accelerate even when my foot was off the accelerator pedal. I went through two intersections, unable to stop, before turning into a big driveway where I set the shifter into reverse, which slowed the car down, and then I put it into park. Steam was shooting out from under the hood and when I checked underneath it, I saw the blades of the fan behind the radiator had all been stripped off the rotor with pieces violently scattered around the engine area. Also, the hose to the coolant reservoir became detached and the hood received two dents from the inside when the fan exploded. The car has since been towed, and repairs have not yet been started. The whole situation was unbelievable. The vehicle had been in tip-top shape and there were no previous signs that anything was inherently wrong. Luckily nothing happened but people could have been seriously hurt or worse by what happened on that day. Please don't hesitate to contact me should you wish to inspect the vehicle prior to repairs. I also took several pictures of the damage.

Filed Nov 16, 2012 · Fuel system · 170,000 miles · SC

I had refuled and started on the highway ,I heard a thumping sound .pulled over could not fiqure out where the sound was coming from. When I reached my destanation I smelled gas. I look under the car and the gas tank was sunked inward and gas was everywhere.I have never heard of this happening.I know this is recall situation. Bmw would never knowly not recall such a dangous problem.there are some things that are minor,but sucked in gas tanks isnt one of them. I cant afford to have the repair. The only car I have. Im out of options.please recall the sunk in gas tank problem on my 1998 740il , its my first bmw .I dont want it to be my last. I love the car and think bmw makes one of the finest and safe cars out there.so money should not be a replacement for safety. Thanks, sorry for spelling.

Filed Dec 15, 2011 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 bmw 740il. The contact stated that the vehicle would jerk violently when changing gears. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that there was a defective ring gear in the transmission. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but advised that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number: 99v005000 (power train:automatic transmission). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 180,000.

Filed Aug 15, 2011 · Fuel system · 120,000 miles · MN

Fuel tank "tin cans" when lower on fuel. Fear degradation of fuel tank. From other sources, this is a known problem with bmws.

Filed Sep 1, 2010 · Fuel system · 178,000 miles · TN

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 bmw 740il. While refueling he noticed gas was leaking form underneath the vehicle. Once he stopped pumping gas it stopped leaking. This failure recurred whenever he would refuel the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to be examined for the cause of failure. Over time he began to hear a thumping noise coming from the fuel tank while driving or stopped. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where he was informed there was a split on one of the seems for the fuel tank. The vehicle was then taken to another independent repair shop where the fuel tank was repaired. The thumping failure continued to recur so the vehicle was taken back to an independent repair shop where the fuel tank was replaced. The thumping failure continues to recur. The failure mileage was 178,000 and the current mileage was 180,000.

Filed Apr 14, 2010 · Electrical, Locks · 200,000 miles · CA

The doors will not unlock. All doors with the exception of the driver door will not unlock. If you pull on any of the doors door handle twice from the inside it should open. All of this happen when the alarm activated without any reason. Alarm stopped working and doors will not unlock.

Filed Mar 23, 2010 · Electrical · 142,000 miles · MD

On cruise control at 60 MPH proceeding north on state route 3 in virginia when the auto started to accelerate. Tapped the brake no effect. Turned of the cruise control no effect. By this time I am doing 90 MPH so I turned off the ignition. That had an effect. Coasted to the side of the road got out raised the hood could see nothing wrong. Got in the auto and started it up. Rpm went shooting up shut the auto off. Checked the linkage to the throttle could see no problems. Worked the linkage to see if there was binding no binding. Drove home with no further problem. Yet!!

Filed Feb 27, 2010 · Acceleration, Body · 10,000 miles · FL

This is about my 1998 740il bmw. Two times since owning this vehicle the engine reveved up when I was pushing the brake pedal, nearly causing me to loose control. I found the problem. Compared to my previous mercedes benz, the accelarator and brake pedals are closer together. Also, the brake pedal of the bmw compresses further down that with any other car. As a result, if my foot was only on the edge of the brake pedal, the bottom of my foot extended over onto the gas pedal. The harder I pressed the brake, the more gas I was giving the engine. To a new person in that car, as I was, this was a deadly conbination. Now that I know, I am much more careful and the situation has not reoccurred.