BMW Performance Wheel Problem - DEAD!

Hey guys,

I have had my performance wheel for a while now and love it. I turn it on everytime I drive.

Last week, the wheel just died. I drove a while and it worked fine. Car sat for a few hours. The wheel would not turn back on after that. The car was garaged, and the wheel was cool, so it's not heat that caused it. I don't get the "welcome" graphic or anything whatsoever. It's totally dead.

I had the dealer install it and recall them telling me they had to run a power wire. However, I have no idea where they ran it or tapped it. I don't see any "non-factory" wires coming out under the dash by the steering column. Before I take it in, I thought I would ask those of you that installed your own wheel where you tapped in for power.

I checked all the fuses behind the glove box and they are all good.

Thoughts appreciated. I would rather solve this myself than leave it at the dealer all day......but I am at the point where I can't think of anything else to check, aside from pulling the wheel and checking it manually.

Comments welcomed.....

EDIT: I found the install instructions PDF in this thread. I will check all of those connections. I bet the dealer installed it this way? I hope so. However, please comment if you installed any different that the instructions.

It still has warranty if your dealership installed it. Save yourself some DIY trouble and take it for a diagnosis. If the wheel is faulty, wait another month or so for the new wheel debut. Unfortunately we had the same issue at our shop and the electronics kit is no longer available (along with your wheel).

New wheel? I haven't heard about it. Do tell.........

Also, I found the pdf install instructions. Being as I installed the back up camera kit, etc. I am going to double check that a wire didn't get knocked loose, etc during the install. If I find nothing, I will take it in, or just wait for the new wheel.....although I have not seen anything about it yet.

The new wheel features 0-60 and 1/4 mile times, whereas the old one does not. There are a ton of features. I interviewed the performance pts mgr in Vegas this year, I will post that video within the next day or two.

Mine has 1/4 mile times, but dont think it has 0-60. Should be interesting!

part number available yet?

I am having this same issue. What was the problem with your wheel?

I would check the wiring and if that's not at fault the wheel itself must be defective. Maybe a ground loosened up or something to that effect. I opted for the one with no electronics just from what I've seen on the boards.. But now I have the hard task of getting shift lights to work on a 6MT car! Good luck in getting it fixed, hopefully it's something minor.

+1 Check the wires. If your installer followed the latest manual, the installation kit uses wire taps (really flimsy and cheap) for the power wires (ground and +) to tap into the CAS Unit which is found under the driver side dash (foot well cover area). If you remove the foot well cover underneath the steering column, you can check if the power wires are connected/tapped properly to the 1 pin and 12 pin wires on the connector going into the CAS Unit. Now, if your installer used a different power source, I don't know where you should look.

Hope that helps.

dunno what the temperatures are in your area and its a long shot but I did recall someone saying that when temperatures are too high outside or too low then the steering wheel wont turn on. There is no indication on the steering wheel when this is the cause.

Did the new wheel come out yet?

Raucky2000 wrote

Did the new wheel come out yet?

There is no newer wheel than what's currently out as far as I'm aware.

This is 1 year old thread...

The steering wheel may have died but this thread won't!!