The BMW UUC Digest Volume 2 : Issue 192 : "text" Format Messages in this Issue: Re: Airbag Surprise! BMW Roof rack box Re: cruise control gremlins Re: Anyone service R12 in the Boston area? Re: Anyone service R12 in the Boston area? Re: Anyone service R12 in the Boston area? E36 Z3 misfire E36 M3 shock - what to get and best place to buy? Re: E36 M3 shock - what to get and best place to buy? Re: E36 M3 Trivia (some questions) Re: E36 M3 Trivia (some questions) Re: E36 M3 Trivia (some questions) Re: E36 M3 Trivia (some questions) Re: E36 RSM e30 - odd bang/tapping noise involving brake circuit
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 09:26:01 -0700 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Airbag Surprise! Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> On the E30, the SRS light is in the overhead check control panel. To be honest, I never really checked to see if it was lighting upon start-up. But obviously, it wasn't. That airbag won't be going in my car again. It needs new captive nuts, and the wheel into which it previously fit is all cut up now and not particularly pretty. Double 02 Salvage was willing to make me a deal on a replacement wheel, $75 without the airbag. Didn't seem like that good a deal to me. I'd rather buy an aftermarket wheel, figure out a way to properly adapt it to my car and be done with it. Rich V offered to sell me a Sparco/momo steering wheel adapter, so I just need to work out some kind of spacer. But for the forseeable future, I'm driving around looking at wires and orange stickers and all the other crap that is usually behind the airbag unit. Scott Miller GGC BMW CCA >Date: Sun, 16 May 2004 00:09:14 -0700 (PDT) >From: Mike Hsu <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subject: Re: Airbag Surprise! >Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >If you gauge cluster is anything like my M Coupe's, >you could take a bulb from the another indicator (ie >parking brake, abs, CE, etc) and stick it into the >airbag slot. Then put on the E34 airbag, and see if >the light goes off. Although you might need to get it >reset, since I guess you already turned on the car w/o >the airbag. Without taking out the cluster, wouldn't >there be a hint that the bulb's not there or not >working when you turn the key to the on position, and >all the bulbs light up. > >I would say your theory sounds right. Someone once >tried to sell my friend a salvaged car with an airbag >light that is always on. Not as smart as your car's >past mechanic. > >Mike ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 12:33:28 -0400 (EDT) From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: BMW Roof rack box Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I have a BMW Roof Rack for an E36 with the factory box. It looks a lot like a Yakima Rocket Box. I would like to adapt this to my yakima rack,since it would allow me to put the box on other cars. I was wondering if anybody has BTDT. Thanks Marc Plante E36 325i, 220k [For Sale] E36 M3/4, 49k 2002 Audi AR Vienna, VA ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 09:33:05 -0700 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: cruise control gremlins Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Ben, the wires from the steering column stalks travel down the column and hook up with connectors under the dash. There are 3 or 4 such connectors that are uaually ganged together, making disconnection and re-connection a little more difficult. When you replace the stalk, you unplug it under the dash, pull out the wires, and then run the new wires down the column to where they connect. I've replaced a couple of E30 turn signal stalks, and it isn't all that hard, except for getting the ganged connectors re-ganged. I just left the turn signal stalk connector separate from the others, no big deal. Scott Miller GGC BMW CCA >Date: Sun, 16 May 2004 19:00:27 -0700 >From: "Ben Dixon" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: cruise control gremlins >Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >This is a 1985 323i that I have owned for about 3 years and has never had a >working cc. I knew the cable was missing so I replaced the box that >attaches to the left fender well. When I removed my old one I noticed that >2-3 wires were pulled out of the plug under the dash. I put it all back >together and said a small prayer. Nope nada nothing! I read in my bentley >that the brain for the cc is under the dash on the drivers side above the >glove box and oh yeah the cc stalk is real loose too. I hoped the bentley >would show me how to disconnect the stalk but it doesn't. Can somebody show >me how to remove the wires on the stalk and attach another one? I guess I >could just cut and splice but I would rather do it right. Since the stalk >and the part are the two things that are the obvious things that need help I >will start with them. Anybody out there want to help tackle this one with >me or tell me where to go look? > >Ben Dixon >1985 323i:( ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 12:42:26 -0400 From: "Bill Matthews" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: Anyone service R12 in the Boston area? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Brad Houser" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "'Steve.Goldstein'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, May 17, 2004 9:59 AM Subject: Re: [UUC] Anyone service R12 in the Boston area? > Have you seen the price of R12 lately? They aren't making it anymore, so > everything is left over stock or recycled. > > You may want to look at a conversion anyway, if the rest of the system is > working well, it may end up being cheaper. Brett has an informative article > on the subject here: http://www.koalamotorsport.com/tech/misc/ac.htm > > It will also help the resale value. > > Brad Houser > Just for grins I googled up a website selling 30 lb containers of R12 (If you are licensed) $680 plus freight. So you know that your local A/C shop is going to be selling it for 2-4 times that. IIRC I paid about $120 for a 30 lb container right before you couldn't buy them anymore (1995). This was to keep my 73 1800ES happy. I think I'll sit on the remaining 28lbs or so and retire off it in a few years................ Bill Matthews Hockessin DE 00 M Geeze some Volvos other cars ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 13:12:16 -0400 From: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: Anyone service R12 in the Boston area? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> R12 went to $50/lb but it is cheaper now as the demand has dropped. R134 conversions are easier than people thought. Gary Derian > > > Have you seen the price of R12 lately? They aren't making it anymore, so > > everything is left over stock or recycled. > > > > You may want to look at a conversion anyway, if the rest of the system is > > working well, it may end up being cheaper. Brett has an informative > article > > on the subject here: http://www.koalamotorsport.com/tech/misc/ac.htm > > > > It will also help the resale value. > > > > Brad Houser > > > Just for grins I googled up a website selling 30 lb containers of R12 (If > you are licensed) $680 plus freight. So you know that your local A/C shop is > going to be selling it for 2-4 times that. IIRC I paid about $120 for a 30 > lb container right before you couldn't buy them anymore (1995). This was to > keep my 73 1800ES happy. I think I'll sit on the remaining 28lbs or so and > retire off it in a few years................ > > Bill Matthews > Hockessin DE > 00 M Geeze > some Volvos > other cars > > Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > __________________________________________________________________________ > In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the BMW CCA. > > UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning and home of the Ultimate > Short Shifter - accept no substitutes! > 908-874-9092 . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 10:25:22 -0700 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Anyone service R12 in the Boston area? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Last week I had a discussion on this subject with one of the techs who works at Bavarian Professionals. They still have R12 and recommend against changing to R134 unless you already have to replace many of the parts of your AC system. He said that the R12, while in short supply and expensive, is still cheaper than replacing all the parts that need to be changed to be R134-compatible. My system is also not fully cold any more, and I'll be making an appointment to have it inspected and re-charged. Of course, since this is in the S.F. Bay Area, it won't help Steve any. And since I'm planning to eventually (in maybe 3 years) convert my car to a track-only vehicle, I'm not too worried about resale value. Heck, the car is only worth about $3K now as it is. How much more would it be with R134 AC? Scott Miller GGC BMW CCA 1990 325i w/ good heater, weak AC 1991 325iA w/ good AC, weak heater >Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 06:59:40 -0700 >From: Brad Houser <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: "'Steve.Goldstein'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, > [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subject: Re: Anyone service R12 in the Boston area? >Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >Have you seen the price of R12 lately? They aren't making it anymore, so >everything is left over stock or recycled. > >You may want to look at a conversion anyway, if the rest of the system is >working well, it may end up being cheaper. Brett has an informative article >on the subject here: http://www.koalamotorsport.com/tech/misc/ac.htm > >It will also help the resale value. > >Brad Houser > >> -----Original Message----- >> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Steve.Goldstein >> Sent: Monday, May 17, 2004 6:14 AM >> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> Subject: [UUC] Anyone service R12 in the Boston area? ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 12:46:25 -0400 From: "Chris Pawlowicz" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: E36 Z3 misfire Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I was out running some errands in my '99 Z3 2.8 when it started to misfire badly and lose power big-time. Check engine light was on. I was at my destination so I blubbed into the parking lot and shut things down. Twenty minutes later, I came back out of the store ready to face the music, but the car started right up and ran fine. I gingerly drove home and everything worked ok, check engine light did stay on. Plugged in my obd-2 code reader and it showed P0601 Ignition System Misfire (Internal Control module memory check sum error). Car has 50k miles, weather was warm and sunny :) any ideas? things to look at? chris pawlowicz ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 11:46:29 -0500 From: "Batt, Jeff (MED)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: E36 M3 shock - what to get and best place to buy? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I'll likely be buying new shocks for my '95 M3 in the next few months (it has over 80k on the clock and the bumps are starting to feel a lot harder than I remember them). I'm looking for stock (or similar feel to stock) replacements as this is my daily driver, never tracked and there are WAY TOO MANY potholes where I live in WI. I have found numerous on line places to buy upgraded suspensions, but haven't had much luck finding stock equipment. Can anyone recommend a good shock and a place to buy? Thanks, Jeff ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 12:15:42 -0500 From: "Jamie Howton" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: E36 M3 shock - what to get and best place to buy? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.bimmerparts.com/ always seem to be fairly priced. Regards Jamie Howton -----Original Message----- From: Batt, Jeff (MED) [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, May 17, 2004 11:46 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [UUC] E36 M3 shock - what to get and best place to buy? I'll likely be buying new shocks for my '95 M3 in the next few months (it has over 80k on the clock and the bumps are starting to feel a lot harder than I remember them). I'm looking for stock (or similar feel to stock) replacements as this is my daily driver, never tracked and there are WAY TOO MANY potholes where I live in WI. I have found numerous on line places to buy upgraded suspensions, but haven't had much luck finding stock equipment. Can anyone recommend a good shock and a place to buy? Thanks, Jeff Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] ________________________________________________________________________ __ In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the BMW CCA. UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning and home of the Ultimate Short Shifter - accept no substitutes! 908-874-9092 . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 12:22:47 -0400 From: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: E36 M3 Trivia (some questions) Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> OBD II, for the US market monitors all aspects of the emission control systems. There are oxygen sensors in front and behind the catalysts, and pressure sensors for the fuel tank. Also misfire detection and cross checking of air flow control is standard. BMW changed their engine strategy in the US at the same time OBD was adopted (1996 model year) in favor of low speed torque at the expense of high end power. There is no reason to eliminate OBD II if you have a good car with it. Retrofitting OBD II into an older pre-OBD II vehicle would be rather difficult, but possible. If you could, or knew someone who could disable the various emission monitoring issues of OBD II, then the retrofit would be easier. Gary Derian > On Mon, May 17, 2004 at 07:48:56AM -0700, Richard Dorffer wrote: > > > 2. Which cars had the OBDI versus OBDII technology? And which is > > > best?..problems with either, etc.? > > > > OBDI is easier to tune and does much less emissions adjustments compared to > > OBDII. Most anyone interested in modifying their car prefers OBDI. > > > > I am not aware of any particular "problems" other than the adaption of the > > OBDII with respect to tuning efforts. > > Can anyone confirm or deny the following statement: > > OBDII is a much better management system with far more potential due to the > extra sensors etc. Most people whine because it's much harder to pirate chips > due to the integration of the immobiliser codes into the software and you need > more sophisticated eqiupment, but if you know what you're doing OBDII offers > more potential for tuning. In particular, it's possible to finely tune the > double VANOS which results in much bigger gains compared to just altering the > spark timing and fueling. > > I heard this from a guy who's recognized as a pro when it comes to chiptuning > (Chip Logic of RSA). Note that he's only talking about the ECUs, obviously the > manifold and other changes in the case of the latter BMWs also played their > part in changing the engine character. I don't want to start a flamewar here, > just interested to hear some more opinions :-) > > P > Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 10:38:50 -0700 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: E36 M3 Trivia (some questions) Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi John, I don't own an M3, but I have opinions: 1. Grill? I don't know, but I'd be willing to bet that your son could update/backdate the grill to suit his preferences. 2. 1995 was the last year for OBD-I BMWs, with 1996 and later having OBD-II. I don't buy my cars based soley on their emissions systems, so I can't tell you which is best. 3. Both the 3.0 and the 3.2 M3s have 240 HP. The later 3.2s have more torque, 236 ft-lbs vs 225. You can put a chip in the '95 for more power, cost is about $250. You can buy a Shark Injector to upgrade the performance of the 3.2s, but it costs more. Check on the Turner or Eurosport web sites. To further boost performance of the '95, you can put in the lower ratio diff from a '96 or later car. I don't know what diff you use to upgrade the performance of the later cars. The early build '95s had weak valve spring retainers. This was fixed before the end of the '95 model run, but I don't know the exact change-over date. The '95s have the same size wheels and tires front and back, so you can rotate the tires to extend their life. The '96 and later M3s have staggered tire sizes. I'm not a fan of staggered sizes, since it results in more understeer. But, you can always buy more wheels and tires and fit same-size to the later cars. If I were shopping for an E36 M3, I'd buy a later car because I would want a 4 door. There were no 4 doors in '95. HTH, Scott Miller GGC BMW CCA >Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 09:42:05 -0400 >From: "John Weese" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: E36 M3 Trivia (some questions) >Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >Hello Everyone, > >I have some general questions re: E36 M3's. My son is casually >looking...within a year or so he'll most likely dump his '01 Jetta 1.8T >(sweet car btw, very quick), for a used M3...he "hates" front wheel drive! > >A few questions for the ///M3 "knowledgeable": > >1. Which cars had the "mesh" grill versus the "bar-style" grill? > >2. Which cars had the OBDI versus OBDII technology? And which is >best?..problems with either, etc.? > >3. Any particular year that is better than others? (I know to stay away >from the '95's due to the slightly underpowered 3.0 Liter powerplant). > >Any help/advice much appreciated. > >John Weese ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 14:09:18 -0400 From: "Steve Stoner" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: E36 M3 Trivia (some questions) Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 1. Mesh Grill or slats Slats came with the Lux package, which includes some luxury items ....like wood on the door handles and console surround, Lux/comfort seats(non Vaders), four spoke steering wheel(yuck). May include other things like split folding rear seats, trip computer, but I don't know for sure if those were part of the package or additional options since my car came to me used. 2. ODB1 or 2. Others have covered. Steve Stoner ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 11:36:46 -0400 From: ben keyes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: E36 M3 Trivia (some questions) Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> more sensors and more feedback for tuning is certainly a good thing, but I don't know of anything about the OBD-II vs OBD-I in the US which would make tuning any easier. more O2 sensors is a good thing I guess, but having a second set of them behind the catalyst doesn't really add much to the tuning potential. there may be additional knock sensors in the OBD-II system, but I don't think they are there because of OBD-II, rather that the overall processing power of the ECU increased & they were able to use the information from them and/or sensor technology got better. the rest of the OBD-II system is largely concerned with evaporative emissions (fuel fumes), which have no impact on the performance of the engine. I know that there are various cranckcase vapor re-circulation schemes in place on the euro M3 motors which are emissions related, but they're not going to help tuning any. the adaptation that the DME does to changes which are made to the system - intake, exhaust, re-mapping via flash memory upgrades - can tend to minimize their effect as the computer tries to get back to how it thinks it should be operating. note also that the double Vanos which he mentions is only in the later M/S54 engines, which are not involved in the E36 M3 discussion and is an overall evolution of the complete engine system, not something which is a function of OBD-II. the biggest reason OBD-II is a pain is that you have a non-functioning check engine light if you transplant the engine into something else, since moving the complex evaporative emissions monitoring part of OBD-II to a vehicle not originally equipped with it is nearly impossible. Ben E30 w/3.2l OBD-I conversion ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 11:13:02 -0700 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: E36 RSM Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I guess the only negative to the "upside" down RSM plate with the studs protruding into the wheel well are that the nuts could work loose and fall off of the studs. Is this why BMW chose the solution they did. I saw one site that used the nuts with the oval opening to provide compression on the threads as in the BMW original. Is this enough insurance? -Kevin ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 14:16:11 -0400 From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: e30 - odd bang/tapping noise involving brake circuit Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I have a strange noise that I can't clearly diagnose. 1987 325ic 5spd, when the key is turned to the last position before start I hear 3-4 loud tapping noises (like a relay loudly cycling). It then goes away. But, sometimes when I'm driving or the car is sitting running, the noise will start up continue for some time. The only way to stop the noise is to touch the brake pedal. When I release the pedal the sound comes back and other times it doesn't. The noise sounds like it is coming from the area of the ABS valve block (front left engine compartment). My first guess is that it has something to do with the brake circuit. All help is appreciated as it is driving me crazy. Michael Fagan 1987 325ic 5spd 1991 325ic auto ------------------------------ End of [bmwuucdigest] digest(15 messages) **********
