Quick Questions

[M3AN 4016]

1 hour ago, zero said:

I don't want two different styled mirrors on the same car.

[gjm 3258]

Given the ABS and traction control lights are illuminated, is it more likely that the issue is with an ABS sensor on the rear (driven) axle?

[allan 295]

Remove and check have seen these covered with metal like filings stuck to them

[obi_wan 14]

Hi team, new here but searched first so apologies if I missed a previous answer to this question.

1987 E30 325i, is the dash cluster dimable? Mine doesn't seem to light up at all so I'm guessing it's blown bulb(s) but thought I'd run it past the guru's first. Thanks in advance.

[LemonHunter 583]

Hey @obi_wan Thanks for searching first, it's actually pretty tricky to search on this forum given the search engine ignores anything with three characters or less (you know, like basically every model and chassis number).   If it's dimable, you'll have a wheel below and probably to the right of your steering wheel if memory serves, it'll look like this

The bulbs are meant to last forever, and are specific to BMW, you'll need to go to a proper BMW parts dealer to get them, or order online, mostly smaller lamps but a couple of bigger ones too in the centre, it's usually the bigger ones that blow.

Replacing is pretty straightforwards, and if your miles are getting on, and it hasn't been done yet, not a silly time to look at replacing the odometer gears while it's out.

 

Edited December 19, 2017 by EUROLESS

[obi_wan 14]

Hi @EUROLESS, wow thanks for that, hugely helpful. I had a decent look for a dimmer switch in that area so it sounds like the bulbs are toast. I'll take you up on the odometer gears advice and get those sorted at the same time. Really appreciate you help.

[LemonHunter 583]

@obi_wan The only bitchy thing about the odo gears is there are a few types, and the only way to know the type you need is to remove it, because i didn't want to put it out and in more than i needed, or spend two weeks without my E30, I just bought both KM sets, the vendor was happy for me to return the set i didn't need for a refund.

I got mine here

If you're electrically apt, I'd recommend re-flowing any solders that look shady while you have it apart also, stitch in time and all that jazz.

[obi_wan 14]

Thanks again, I'll get some on order. I wouldn't call myself a master soldererer but I'll give it a go and report back once I've solidly balls'd it up. Thanks again for your input, glad I joined this forum :-)

[LemonHunter 583]

Generally everyone super nice unless you break the three golden rules;

1. Try avoid digging up ancient threads unless neccesary
2. Try search first
3. Don't refer to SMG as Manual

[obi_wan 14]

Consider them tattooed on the back of my hand 

[OP6 27]

Before you get too deep, try rotating the headlight switch.

[obi_wan 14]

@OP6 never would have thought of that, thanks for the suggestion, I’ll give it a go before I get the mallet and grinder out haha

[obi_wan 14]

@OP6 we have a winner *round of applause*

cheers for the suggestion!

[gjm 3258]

Car battery...

A couple of times recently Miss M's car hasn't started. Click... Nothing. Flat battery.

No worries - charge it up and off we go. It's only a problem if left for a few days. I'll look at possible causes of drain over Christmas.

Yesterday, while doing some work on another car, I put the Miss-M-mobile battery on charge. 3-4A for most of the day.

And... This morning it was a no-go situation. Click - nothing. The little inspection window on top of the battery is showing black, suggesting it needs charging.

I suspect it's a dead 'un, but before I splash out (let's face it -students don't have money for car batteries) I thought I'd check the wisdom hereabaouts.

Green is good, black is charge, and white is replace. Are we just a step away from seeing the white? Or is the discharge I'd expected to investigate enough to kill the battery overnight?

[allan 295]

Feel you need to find out is it the battery or do you have a current draw from some thing coursing the flat battery.

.When you charged the battery do you load test it to see if it holds a charge and comes back  before refitting it in the car.  As you say green generally means all good black could mean flat need a charge or stuffed new battery.required bugger.

By chance does it have a label  on it or letters stamped on the terminals might help find out how old it is. Best of luck getting it sorted can be a right PITA at this time of year.

[gjm 3258]

29 minutes ago, allan said:

Feel you need to find out is it the battery or do you have a current draw from some thing coursing the flat battery.

.When you charged the battery do you load test it to see if it holds a charge and comes back  before refitting it in the car.  As you say green generally means all good black could mean flat need a charge or stuffed new battery.required bugger.

By chance does it have a label  on it or letters stamped on the terminals might help find out how old it is. Best of luck getting it sorted can be a right PITA at this time of year.

I've taken the battery off the car to charge overnight - I'll do some more checks tomorrow.

This one suggests three colours - green, black and white. White is "replace me!"

There is an 'installed on' label, but none of the dates have been selected. It's not original, but could easily have been on the car for some time.

[gjm 3258]

2 hours ago, allan said:

Feel you need to find out is it the battery or do you have a current draw from some thing coursing the flat battery.

.When you charged the battery do you load test it to see if it holds a charge and comes back  before refitting it in the car.  As you say green generally means all good black could mean flat need a charge or stuffed new battery.required bugger.

By chance does it have a label  on it or letters stamped on the terminals might help find out how old it is. Best of luck getting it sorted can be a right PITA at this time of year.

 

1 hour ago, gjm said:

I've taken the battery off the car to charge overnight - I'll do some more checks tomorrow.

This one suggests three colours - green, black and white. White is "replace me!"

There is an 'installed on' label, but none of the dates have been selected. It's not original, but could easily have been on the car for some time.

I was basing my 'dead battery' theory on what appears to be an accelerated rate of battery discharge.

Just to check, I removed the battery from the car, left it in the sun for several hours to remove any surface charge, then put it on charge. Less than an hour later, the charger suggests 'charge complete'.  This after the battery wouldn't turn the engine over earlier today - solenoid click, dimming of instrument lights, nothing more.

For reference, I've checked for:

• Broken terminal
• Bulge or bump in the case
• Crack, rupture or other damage to the plastic
• Leaking
• Discoloration

All negative.

I'll low-rate charge the battery for a while, leave it to stand, then get Miss M to help do a load test. (She can turn the key - I'll watch the multimeter!)

[Gabe79 410]

Hey Graham, this is from  r/MechanicAdvice and has helped me in the past finding parasidic draws and weird battery issues.

voltage drop testing in six easy steps

[gjm 3258]

12 minutes ago, Gabe79 said:

Hey Graham, this is from  r/MechanicAdvice and has helped me in the past finding parasidic draws and weird battery issues.

voltage drop testing in six easy steps

The imgur link is interesting. "Now. start the engine." Well, that'd be nice!   Actually (and while I haven't tried today) the car will start when the battery has just been charged, and the other measurements could be very useful.

It's an odd situation. I've had batteries die before, but not quite like this.

[Gabe79 410]

Replacing transmission fluid on my 530i. I read all kinds of recommendations for the US, but what is good to use here? I'm a fan of SCA.

 

Is this good enough? Castrol Auto Transmission Fluid - Dex III

 

http://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/Product/Castrol-Auto-Transmission-Fluid-Dex-III-4-Litre/309868

[gjm 3258]

Oh well... An unloaded and disconnected 10.65V across the posts, hours after showing full charge, tells us everything we need to know.

Anyone got a cheap, working battery available?

[Eagle 1662]

13 minutes ago, Gabe79 said:

Replacing transmission fluid on my 530i. I read all kinds of recommendations for the US, but what is good to use here? I'm a fan of SCA.

Depends on your exact transmission but i definitely would not use that (not full synth for starters). Valvoline MaxLife ATF fairly cheap and commonly used overseas (transmission dependent)

Ive always used the specified Fuchs from BNT for all transmissions ive ever done.

[Gabe79 410]

12 minutes ago, Eagle said:

Depends on your exact transmission but i definitely would not use that (not full synth for starters). Valvoline MaxLife ATF fairly cheap and commonly used overseas (transmission dependent)

Ive always used the specified Fuchs from BNT for all transmissions ive ever done.

Sorry, I even had this open and forgot to add to the post... I have a A5S 325Z/ZH 5HP19 on my car.

EDIT: Reading the BMW fluid document, looks like this is a better bet:

http://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/Product/Penrite-Automatic-Transmission-Fluid-FS-1-Litre/396371

Penrite ATF Full Synthetic (although the Semi-Synthetic also meets the spec)

 

BMW Trans Oil Chart.pdf

Edited December 27, 2017 by Gabe79

[Eagle 1662]

Yep plenty of oils that say they meet the spec. ZF lifeguard is probably the proper choice but not cheap. I'll probably use full synth Maxlife for mine soon but that mainly because i got a lot of it

Any of the good brands should have it in 20L containers which are much cheaper for the $. I don't know what method you are using for the oil change though,  

[Gabe79 410]

1 hour ago, Eagle said:

Yep plenty of oils that say they meet the spec. ZF lifeguard is probably the proper choice but not cheap. I'll probably use full synth Maxlife for mine soon but that mainly because i got a lot of it

Any of the good brands should have it in 20L containers which are much cheaper for the $. I don't know what method you are using for the oil change though,  

I quite like Penrite, I use HPR5 for my engine. I might just go with them. I might check out BNT tomorrow if they have larger quantities than 1L though.