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BMW i3 w/drivetrain error - $2,600 (Moclips)
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It just showed a drivetrain error with lots of warnings: "vehicle will go into park soon" even though it is in park and will not go into ready mode, neutral, reverse, or drive. There is a warning that the car will not charge, another that the range is low and to start the Rex, even though the battery percentage is above 90% and the Rex cannot start above 75%.
My first thought about this weird and sudden set of different errors was the 12V accessory battery failing, but I had replaced it and registered the new battery in early 2024. I have cleared 50 errors using an OBD reader with BimmerLink, with one remaining that relates to the range extender generator.
I installed a new 12V battery that will be going in my other i3 since it is still on its original battery, cleared the error codes again, and was able to put it in ready mode, shift into drive and reverse, and charge the car... briefly. It stopped charging, and once again will not go into drive, reverse, or neutral, and showed the drivetrain error message again. The new 12V battery was not being charged and soon read low voltage, so I pulled it back out and put the other one back in with a full charge.
I have tried 3 different fully charged 12V batteries, cleared the error codes multiple times, and the best I've been able to do was get it in ready mode, shift into reverse and drive and then it throws the drivetrain error and bricks itself again. Several times I have been able to charge the high voltage battery for 5 to 20 minutes before it stopped.
You-tubers have reported that corrosion of the high voltage wire plug ends can cause drivetrain warnings like this, but I'm not prepared to delve into it any further. I did check the two high voltage plugs on top of the inverter, but they looked fine to me.
Other issues:
It only level 2 charges at half power (about 3.6kW) since one of the 2 onboard AC chargers has failed. The DC fast charging worked fine the last time I used it. There is no level 1 trickle charger included.
It has a left side plastic motor mount bracket crack which I repaired with JB weld after getting an insane dealership quote of $4,400.00 to repair it, and I have put about 6,000 miles on it since then without issue. There is a crack at the top of the windshield that terminates at the front camera and rear view mirror mount location... out of the line of sight, and it has not grown at all over the last 1-1/2 years.
It has AST lowering springs... the front two broke... I believe from corrosion from living at the beach. There was no accident or hard pothole incident. I did a bodge repair using rubber spring stiffeners to give it slightly less harsh of a ride... it is still a rough ride over bumps. I do have a brand new set of AST lowering springs (see picture) that will go with the car.
Other: It has aftermarket hub centric aluminum wheel spacers with longer lug bolts front and rear, and is "coded" to be able to push a button below 75% battery to run the range extender, and the full capacity of the gas tank is unlocked as well. It has both of the original keys, the extra cup holder, and the owners manual. The tires have decent tread left.
The AC, seat heat, and cabin heat all work, and it has voice activated navigation... the maps have not been updated since 2019 (I think). It will parallel park itself, although I never used that function.
In early 2024 we had a complete brake job done (new rotors, pads, wear sensors) ... the rotors had serious rust from living at the beach and I had not thought to use the brakes a bit more often as I have done since.
The price is $2,600 firm. Cash only. Clear title, the tabs are good until March of 2027. A buyer will need a flat bed, or a tow dolly and a winch since the rear wheels will not roll. If I can't sell at this price, I will keep a few parts in case I need them, and slowly part the rest out. The vehicle is located in Moclips about 2 hours west of Olympia, and 15 miles north of Ocean Shores. Please text or email only, no calls will be answered.