BMW Repair: 1997 bmw 528i electrical isssue, amp fuse, wheel shaft

Question
my 1997 bmw 528i has an electrical issue.  my radio, turn indicators, and wipers stopped working. I checked all fuses and put in a brand new battery. Can you help me diagnose

Answer
Tough one.

Only two things I can think of, though a dealer could tell you more.

(1)
The three are not on the same circuit, except at almost the highest level.  There is a 200 amp fuse (F100) that is in the rear, coming off the battery, that all these are driven by.  However, you should have a lot more not working if that fuse is blown.

If you're interested in chasing this further yourself, you're going to need to do some additional work, and have a tool.  You'll need either an electrical meter, or a 12V continuity tool.  If you have neither, but have the skills, get a cheap 12V continuity tool. It's a probe with an internal light, and a clip that you attach to ground.

With this tool (or a meter if you have one), check the fuse locations for the wipers, the radio, and the turn signals.  Attach the ground clip to some good ground somewhere on the car, remove the particular fuse, and touch to the probe to each side of the fuse socket.  The light should go on when you touch one side, showing you have power there.  (note:  you'll need to have the key "on" so that power is running to that point.)  If you don't have power at these locations, then check across F100.

(2)
If you have power to each of these above, then it may be in your steering wheel wiring.  All of these have controls in your steering wheel/shaft, and you may have something disconnected in there.

This is one that's probably worth taking to a dealer, unless you have very good electrical troubleshooting skills.

Good luck