hunter

Ohhhh shiny. 

Yeah I’ve seen that too. Might do it one day.

Once I’ve got all the other things in my list for this year done.
 

Paddle wiring was delayed until next weekend to ensure we have enough time to complete, without competing priorities. 
 

So instead, today I added a euro number plate surround to  the front bumper plate carrier. I also installed my brand new air con tube, once and for all removing engine bay smells from the cabin. 
 

BMW genuine Wiring and connectors for the paddle shift loom today. All going to plan Friday, the paddles and MFW will be going in. 
 

my new aircon tub also arrived today  looking forward to having that sorted. 

 

oh, the Purity!

Washer level sensor warning appeared again yesterday with a full reservoir. 

Managed to get the sensor out of the tank this time, it was very corroded on the both sides of the sensor contact. I suspect this corrosion is blocking the signal that the reservoir is full. 

Pulled the sensor apart and cleaned it up removing all the surface rust on contact points, plugged back in and tested, works fine. Yuss. 

Reinstalled everything and hope the cleaning was enough to get it working normally full time. 

Any one installed in e39 with high OBC? not nav, no screen.

I have a grom but i'd be keen to switch if this offers better sound quality and other functions

On 6/9/2020 at 5:38 PM, hunter said:

Engine bay looks dry as a bone, even after start up and immediate check with engine running with engine covers removed. Will recheck underbody tomorrow. 

Yep both side dry as, no apparent leak there from visual check with torch, no significant smell either. 

recheced the areas above Saturday no visable leaks, rechecked again after a decent drive. nothing. smell was less in cabin too, untill i turned the heat on, then it was noticable again. Switching between cold and hot chnaged the smell too, hmm.

I've got a new Aircon tube on order from BMW. When that arrives and it fitted, i'll know if that lack of proper seal was the issue or i need to keep chasing....

for my upcoming MFL + PAddles conversion I have this week i removed the lower part of the steering column cover to ocnfirm what wiring is present, there is only 6 wires into the Green plug on the slip ring. if the MF wiring is installed there would be 9, so that all good.

to prepare for this i have now ordered the e46 MF retro fit loom, its the same as the e39 one aside from the colors of 2 of the wires. and is available, unlike the "official" e39 one.

i've also used this thread to order bits for the loom that needs to be made for the paddles

https://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=895897&amp=1

this week i removed the lower part of the steering column cover, there is only 6 wires into the Green plug on the slip ring. if the MF wiring is installed there would be 9, so that all good.

to prepare for this i have now ordered the e46 MF retro fit loom, its the same as the e39 one aside from the colors of 2 of the wires. and is available, unlike the "official" e39 one.

ive also used this thread to ordrr bit for the loom that needs to be made for the paddles

https://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=895897&amp=1

3 hours ago, hqstu said:

Get to the fuel filter area... the underside tray comes off easy enough for a look,  a gap in the air con vent will not lead to fumes of that significance in cabin without a leak... check fuel fittings in engine bay as well.

Engine bay looks dry as a bone, even after start up and immediate check with engine running with engine covers removed. Will recheck underbody tomorrow. 

2 hours ago, B.M.W Ltd said:

Did you also check the return side on the L/H side under the rear seat?

Yep both side dry as, no apparent leak there from visual check with torch, no significant smell either. 

On 6/8/2020 at 7:31 AM, B.M.W Ltd said:

Check the fuel pressure regulator as well. They are prone to rupturing the diaphragm with age and then leak out of the vacuum hose which also perishes with age

Checked the for, and the pump etc under the back seat. No issues or visible leaks. I did notice my left hand aircon tube was one funny angle again, fractured and broken clips, 2 of the 3. ..  so I need a new one, again. This dangle was creating a gap in the seal in the firewall and I think the fumes are coming in here whilst driving. 

I'll get another replacement and see how the fume situation is 

Wtb, E39 passenger side air con tube. The big one that goes from the cabin filter box to the fire wall. 

All clips must be in tact  with no fractures. 

So on a drive to dinner tonight a rather strong smell of fuel filled the cabin when stopped at traffic lights.  Recently, A fuel smell has been present on start up for a few weeks but clears as i drive off. 

this stronger smell while driving is a bit of a concern especially with the kids in the back. I'll be pulling the back seat cushion up today to check for leaks around the top of the pump / sender units as this seems quite common based on my quick googling last night.

i think some pics of aformentioned dream care would only be fair

....or can we see those over on NZHondas forum

Replaced the windscreen cowl today with a genuine replacement part. 

Thanks to @hqstu for the pulling tool and extra pair of hands.  

Drivers seat upholstery fix this week at Waikato Motor trimmer. new lower outside bolster foam and material and a re shaped upper bolster too with small price of new foam to bring the shape back to factory. 

A pic of the removed lower bolster and a shot of the rejuvenated seat. 

Drivers seat upholstery fix this week at Waikato Motor trimmer. new lower outside bolster foam and material and a re shaped upper bolster too with small price of new foam to bring the shape back to factory. 

A pic of the removed lower bolster and a shot of the rejuvenated seat. 

Yup, my e46 was the same when I did mf on that too mate. 

Hi Colin, no it doesnt mate, it's odd that it on build sheet but not in the car, hence my thinking it already wired.....i have the build sheet also

another thing on the build sheet that isnt what i have currently  is the wheels, the BS says 0788 LA wheel, but the car has the factory option Style 42's that i am told have been on the car since new, and it says provisions for CD changer but this is actually fully installed

i'll check fuses today and also try to source another mf panel for testing

@hqstu what is this dummy you speak of

4 hours ago, Young Thrash Driver said:

What is your build date, and which of the M-sport wheels are you trying to fit? Also is the new steering wheel known to be working.

My car is a 2001 build date, both new and old wheels have dual stage airbags

New wheel is from a 2002 m3 as attached. 

It was working when removed from the car. 

I suspect lack of wiring but will do some further testing, if the pins are working in the slip ring, I should be able to get a multimeter reading off it. 

MF wheel with paddles project coming along slowly. have new bottom trim peice for the wheel and new airbag, had the one that was sold with it double checked and it's a recall one. As my car had already had the check ot wouldn't apply pist fitting so just bought a new one. 

Latest challenge is the functionality and wiring of the MF and paddle shift. I'm no good at electronic work and even though the car build sheet says it is wired for MF plugging the MF panel in to the existing slipring, which should be compatible shows no activity for cruise control or audio.

So looks  I need to get a retro fit wiring kit, they are in very short supply from BMW given the age or have someone help custom make the MF harness and paddles connections.  

Into the clock spring behind the airbag. There is a female port for it. Same as other clock springs. Has 3 ports. Left is blank, middle is airbag right is mf