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#1. [e36] Troubleshooting ABS brake system - from Michael Turgeon
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Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2003 07:49:07 -0700 (PDT) From: Michael Turgeon <turgeon1@yahoo.com> Subject: [e36] Troubleshooting ABS brake system Gruppe: If anyone has any experience troubleshooting the ABS system on a 93 325iS please contact me. Briefly, this is in a race car which had the brake system modified by a previous owner, but I was experiencing problems, i.e. unpredictable front lock up. So we are trying to return the system to stock for a baseline. Almost all of lines have been replaced. A couple of gallons of brake fluid have been flushed through the system. THE PROBLEM: The pedal is very low (think about an inch or two off the floor), but the brakes work. However, I cannot heel-toe at all! My foot is actually under the gas pedal and there is no hope for trying to blip the throttle. I pulled the ABS box and all circuits inside look fine, i.e. nothing obviously burnt. The ABS pump will run when I jump the relay. The master cylinder and booster look fine from the outside. No leaks in the system have been detected yet. Any help or direction would be appreciated. I do have the Bentley and am trying to use the wiring diagrams to help diagnose. BTW, I won a race in ITS two weekends ago, just didn't use the brakes much?!? TIA, Mike #18 ITS #418 JP __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com
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#2. Temperature Gauge and Exhaust questions (follow-up) - from Newman, Christopher
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Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2003 11:48:01 -0400 From: "Newman, Christopher" <CNewman@LSAC.org> Subject: Temperature Gauge and Exhaust questions (follow-up) A sincere thank you to everyone who replied to my questions. I do have some follow-up questions/comments. Is the thermostat issue something that should be addressed immediately ? Is there a recommended thermostat to use, or is there just one standard version that everyone is forced to use ? Along with the thermostat and the aluminum housing, should the hoses be changed ? My understanding of the water pump issue is that the impeller went from plastic, then to metal, then to composite. Is the BMW composite water pump the recommended one to use ? I've heard/read lots of opinions, but am curious what the consensus is with this group. Any ballpark figures on the total cost to replace all of the above items ? As for the exhaust, would the water puddles still be normal if the A/C was OFF ? I realize water puddles would form under the A/C if it was ON, but I rarely run it and it was NOT on when I noticed the puddles. I occasionally run the A/C to keep the seals conditioned, but otherwise leave it off as I don't care for the power drain. Unless my A/C is secretly running on a mind of its own (which I suspect is possible), I would expect to see NO water or puddles. Again, thanks to all for any assistance you can provide.
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#3. RE: [E36M3] ABS II: Disabling ABS on the track... - from Patrick Buthmann
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Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2003 21:35:18 -0400 From: "Patrick Buthmann" <patrick@teutonic.ca> Subject: RE: [E36M3] ABS II: Disabling ABS on the track... Garrett, I'm not sure I agree with this logic. Once all four wheels are locked up (assuming it's THAT wet), either in a straight line or sideways, then ABS becomes largely irrelevant. Once all four wheels are travelling at the same speed, the ABS computer will assume all is well, and it's no longer part of the equation. The problem comes when someone figures they can "save it", and takes their foot off the brake. Then ABS becomes part of the equation again. Not to mention (especially at a driving SCHOOL....) the lack of ABS while the student is still on the track would only serve to increase the likelihood of a spin while ordinarily under control (even if that controlled is computer assisted). That being said, I believe in the benefits of disabling ABS in the DRY, if mostly as a teaching tool so drivers don't become dependent upon computer intervention. Also, in the dry, a good driver is likely capable of out-braking ABS in a straight line. If you regularly trail-brake, or the track surface is slick (or worse, both), the lack of ABS could make the situation more treacherous. Been there, done that. BMW's ABS programming is largely non-intrusive, unless one really mashes the brake pedal. The track has to be pretty slick or pretty bumpy to activate the ABS on my E36. Pat Gerry, If you go off in the wet onto grass or mud, ABS will screw you in a couple of ways. Firstly, it ruins the predictability you'd get from "both feet in" because the varying traction at each wheel causes the computer to vary the braking force unevenly. That means even if you go off in a straight line, you're pretty much guaranteed to spin as different wheels get different amounts of braking. Secondly, you probably won't actually stop until the car hits something because the traction on wet grass or mud is so minimal that the computer will barely allow the brakes to engage at all. There are probably a few people on the list who've seen or experienced the painful results of all that... :( -Garrett
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#4. Re: [E36M3] ABS II: Disabling ABS on the track... - from Michael Lawrence
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Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2003 00:10:36 -0400 From: "Michael Lawrence" <95m3ltw@comcast.net> Subject: Re: [E36M3] ABS II: Disabling ABS on the track... ----- Original Message ----- From: "Patrick Buthmann" <patrick@teutonic.ca> > I'm not sure I agree with this logic. Once all four wheels are > locked up (assuming it's THAT wet), either in a straight line or > sideways, then ABS becomes largely irrelevant. First, how would you ever LOCK the wheels when ABS is present? they wont. If you hit anything slick, mud, snow, ice, wet grass etc, ABS greatly increases your braking distances vs 4 locked wheels that otherwise might be building debri in front of the wheels creating more friction and/or digging into the material resulting in higher friction. >Once all four wheels are > travelling at the same speed, the ABS computer will assume all is well, > and it's no longer part of the equation. The problem comes when someone > figures they can "save it", and takes their foot off the brake. Then > ABS becomes part of the equation again. I take it you have never been behind someone that goes off track, spinning and then zig zags in front of you in the strangest movements ever seen in a car. A spinning car is much safer with all 4 wheels locked and spinning in a straight direction vs a car that is locking, unlocking etc, going all over the track. Also in cases of over cooking a corner, rear end starts sliding, too late to correct it, both feet in with 4 wheel lockup can save the car causing it to slide/spin to the outside of the corner where most tracks have runoff. On the other hand, slam on brakes with a ABS car in that same situation, you are most likely going to hook it into the inside wall. I see a majority of students wreck in this manner. > Not to mention (especially at a driving SCHOOL....) the lack of > ABS while the student is still on the track would only serve to increase > the likelihood of a spin while ordinarily under control (even if that > controlled is computer assisted). I dont think ABS helps very much at all in situations that likely result in a spin. I never notice non ABS cars spinning at a much higher rate than ABS cars. > BMW's ABS programming is largely non-intrusive, unless one > really mashes the brake pedal. The track has to be pretty slick or > pretty bumpy to activate the ABS on my E36. Mash on that pedal more, it is there, trust me. I raced with ABS disabled 95% of the time as E36s have strange things happen when you experience ABS at high speeds, pedal goes to the floor, system takes a second to rebuild pressure and bring it back up. A very strange feeling at 130mph 2ft behind a 993 cup car that is worth more than my race car, tow vehicle and yearly salary. Mike
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#5. Illuminated Shift Knob Install - from K.C. Boyce
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Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2003 09:12:42 -0400 From: "K.C. Boyce" <kcb@abcgroup-inc.com> Subject: Illuminated Shift Knob Install Gruppe: I'm trying to install a lighted shift knob on my car and am running into a few questions: - I've found no connectors in the shift boot area for the knob. I've taken the boot and the foam rubber sound dampener out and the only connecter I've found is for the alarm LED. - Reading past digests, it seems that there is a Y connector near the dimmer switch; does this have wiring of the requisite length to reach the shift boot area? I'm trying to be as non-invasive as possible in this install -- I know that I can tap into wires, but my preference is to use proper connectors so that I can remove the knob if necessary. Thanks in advance! KC Boyce '97 M3/4
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#6. Bugbear virus from list - from Carey Probst
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Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2003 09:22:34 -0400 From: "Carey Probst" <hcprobst@alum.mit.edu> Subject: Bugbear virus from list Just got a warning from Norton that someone on the E36M3 list sent a file with the Bugbear virus. file was: BMW-TIS.iso.exe: infected with W32.Bugbear.B@mm The mail didn't say who the sender was so it may have been a spoof but just a warning. If you sent this file you better scan your pc. Carey Probst, '99 M3/2, '86 325e w/i cam BMW CCA Patroon and Genesee Valley Chapters JC CAIed and Sharked, Stressed, Schrothed, Gauged, Hitched, X-Braced A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
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#7. Re: [E36M3] Illuminated Shift Knob Install - from Ben Liaw - Rogue Engineering
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Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2003 09:27:44 -0400 From: "Ben Liaw - Rogue Engineering" <ben@rogueengineering.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Illuminated Shift Knob Install You can use the factory harness # 61 12 2 231 560 which plug into the factory dimmer switch. No cutting or splicing necessary. Regards, Ben Liaw - Rogue Engineering http://www.rogueengineering.com 201-444-8150 ----- Original Message ----- From: "K.C. Boyce" <kcb@abcgroup-inc.com> To: "E36M3" <e36m3@bmw-m.net> Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2003 9:15 AM Subject: [E36M3] Illuminated Shift Knob Install > Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2003 09:12:42 -0400 > From: "K.C. Boyce" <kcb@abcgroup-inc.com> > Subject: Illuminated Shift Knob Install > > Gruppe: > > I'm trying to install a lighted shift knob on my car and am running into > a few questions: > > - I've found no connectors in the shift boot area for the knob. I've > taken the boot and the foam rubber sound dampener out and the only > connecter I've found is for the alarm LED. > > - Reading past digests, it seems that there is a Y connector near the > dimmer switch; does this have wiring of the requisite length to reach > the shift boot area? > > I'm trying to be as non-invasive as possible in this install -- I know > that I can tap into wires, but my preference is to use proper connectors > so that I can remove the knob if necessary. > > Thanks in advance! > > KC Boyce > '97 M3/4 > > > > ************************************************* > Please help support the E36M3 list by visiting our sponsors: > Taylor Autosport http://www.taylorautosport.com > Rogue Engineering http://www.rogueengineering.com > BMW M3 Specialties http://www.jt-designs.com > Bimmerworld http://www.bimmerworld.com > Turner Motorsport http://www.turnermotorsport.com > > DIGEST INFORMATION: > http://www.bmw-m.net/resources/digest_info.htm > ************************************************* > > > > This e-mail and any attachments may contain confidential and > privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, > please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail, delete this > e-mail and destroy any copies. Any dissemination or use of this > information by a person other than the intended recipient is > unauthorized and may be illegal. >
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#8. bugear virus was a spoof - from Carey Probst
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Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2003 09:38:27 -0400 From: "Carey Probst" <hcprobst@alum.mit.edu> Subject: bugear virus was a spoof Sorry but it looks like the virus warning didn't come from the list but from someone spoofing the list. Here is the sender. Didn't come from the list because it also hit my work address and the list doesn't have it. [mailto:e36m3@pdo.co.santa-clara.ca.us] Carey Probst, '99 M3/2, '86 325e w/i cam BMW CCA Patroon and Genesee Valley Chapters JC CAIed and Sharked, Stressed, Schrothed, Gauged, Hitched, X-Braced A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
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#9. Help, window movement erratic - from Pilewan23@aol.com
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Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2003 10:47:59 EDT From: Pilewan23@aol.com Subject: Help, window movement erratic The last few days my window movements have been erratic. If the passenger window has been opened half way, it won't go up until you open it all the way, then it will close. Is this the sign of bigger problems to come? Ajay 95 Avus Blue
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#10. SRS light on - from Pilewan23@aol.com
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Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2003 10:49:48 EDT From: Pilewan23@aol.com Subject: SRS light on If I replace the seat belt tensioners, will the SRS light go off? Any diy experiences? Thanks . Ajay 95 Avus blue