# 1997 BMW 540I — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
> NHTSA complaint `478506` · 2004-06-06 · BMW of North America, LLC
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** Yes
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** BMW
- **Model:** 540I
- **Year:** 1997
- **Manufacturer:** BMW of North America, LLC
- **Component:** ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
- **Miles at failure:** 93,000
- **Speed:** 65 mph
## Narrative
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE ELECTRONIC COOLANT THERMOSTAT SHORTED OUT AND CAUSED ENGINE WIRING HARNESS THE BURN UP.  THIS CAUSED THE ENIGINE TO STOP RUNNING. LUCKILY, BURNING WAS RESTRICTED TO WIRES AND NO OTHER COMPONENTS WERE BURNT.  CAR IS STILL WAITING FOR A NEW WIRING HARNESS AT THE BMW DEALER ($2000 EST FOR REPAIR).  I HAVE HEARD OF SIMILAR OCCURANCES WITH THIS MODEL CAR AND WITH 740I OF ABOUT THE SAME YEAR.  THIS SEEMS TO BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND SHOULD BE PREVENTED BY A FUSE OR FUSABLE LINK.*AK
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*