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#1. Re: Possible alternator woes? - from Neil Maller
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Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 11:54:35 -0500 From: Neil Maller <neil.maller@gte.net> Subject: Re: Possible alternator woes? on 8/18/04 11:23 AM, Andrej Dolenc <adolenc@erols.com> wrote: > A question for the collective wisdom of the list. I'm wondering > whether my alternator is showing signs of age, whether I need to think > about replacing this before it craps out on me. More of a worry as > I'm getting a decent stereo installed in the near future. > > OK, the victim: > '97 M3 with 115K miles, still on the original battery that's been well > maintained. Check the cheap and easy stuff first! Your battery is 7+ years old and has high miles. Batteries, no matter how coddled and lovingly maintained, have a finite life. And yours is already past due to crap out. The most likely explanation is that it's no longer able to hold a full charge. Then check alternator output, and of course make sure its drive belt is properly tensioned and in good condition. > Symptoms: > When I pulled into the garage the other night, closed the windows and > I notice the headlights dip in brightness just a smidgen. Verify this > again, car is still running at idle, roll the windows up (though > they're already closed). Headlights dim just slightly. > > I know the real answer can be determined by getting under there with a > multimeter Yep! Neil 96
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#2. RE: [E36M3] Curiosity about general LTW history - from Carlos.F.Lopez@jci.com
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Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 13:16:27 -0400 From: Carlos.F.Lopez@jci.com Subject: RE: [E36M3] Curiosity about general LTW history >3. The track items from the factory (that by the way if installed voided the >warranty) were dual pickup oil pump/pan, rear adjustable spoiler w/ 3rd >brake light, front strut tower brace, and x-brace. That part depended on your relationship with the dealership or the dealership itself although you always hear the comment about the voided warranty more often. I've known two folks who had completely different experiences at their dealerships with their LTWs. Friend in Seattle had it so bad they refused to work on his car at some point, he used to track it all the time, competed at autoxes, etc. Friend in Michigan had the dealership install all those items and they always took care of him, he also tracks his car fairly heavily. Carlos.
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#3. Re: [E36M3] ASC & ABS lights on - from Jim Bassett
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Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 11:48:01 -0700 From: Jim Bassett <jim@jimbassett.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] ASC & ABS lights on At 12:03 AM 8/18/04, eevans@planetc.com wrote: >My '99 M3 has had the ASC and ABS lights come on and go off for about a >week now. I think the last time this happened it was the ABS pump. This is >all after checking wheels sensors, cleaning gunk, etc. Car has 51K miles, >no track or spirited driving........yeah, I know that's probably the >reason why they're on it's begging to be driven ;-). Seriously any BTDT's >out there lately? Yep. In my case it was the pedal travel sensor. Here's what I posted a while back: >The fault code that was getting set (that one code reader was returning >"No Description") was "Brake pedal travel length". Apparently there's a >pedal travel length switch/sensor in the brake booster, next to the master >cylinder. This is what needs to be replaced. > >P/N 34 33 1 182 594 (list price $110.48) This is the repair kit which gets >you the switch, o-ring, couple of circlips and several colored plastic end >caps for the shaft of the switch. > >Access was a bit tight for me, I removed the vacuum hose from the intake, >and the rubber boot from the air box to the throttle body so that I had a >straighter path to the sensor. You'll need some circlip pliers and a >screwdriver, I found, in order to remove the circlip (I still managed to >break off a bit of the plastic on the brake booster that helps retain the >circlip). Pump the brake pedal a few times to help release the pressure in >the booster, unplug the connector and pull the switch out (there may still >be some pressure, so be careful). > >Note the color of the plastic end cap of the old switch and install the >same one on the new switch. Use the o-ring on the new switch. I didn't see >one on the old one, and installed the new one without it at first. Vacuum >leak resulted :-) Secure with new circlip, reconnect connector and any >other items you may have removed and you're done. > >So far, so good. I replaced mine on Christmas Eve and I haven't had the >ABS & ASC lights come on since (~500 miles). Hope that helps, Jim Bassett 1998 M3/4 1993 325is #44 JP/A5
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#4. RE: [E36M3] Curiosity about general LTW history - from Jim Bassett
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Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 12:03:11 -0700 From: Jim Bassett <jim@jimbassett.com> Subject: RE: [E36M3] Curiosity about general LTW history At 09:13 AM 8/18/04, Seth Thomas wrote: >1. If the car has a stereo and A/C then those were installed by the >individual or the dealer. Some dealers installed a factory A/C system in >LTWs so they could make the cars more marketable at the time. The stereo is >very easy to install since all LTWs came prewired for the stereo. They had >everything ready to be installed. To install one it was the standard >procedure anybody does when installing a stereo in a normal M3. While the car in question did appear to have a radio (as Seth mentioned, easy to install later), it did NOT appear to have A/C. One of the pictures in the auction showed the climate controls, and there was no A/C button. It being listed was probably a mistake in checking the wrong box on the auction form. Cheers, Jim Bassett
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#5. To enable or disable the Airbag; that is the question - from FS
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Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 15:33:55 -0400 From: "FS" <freestat@stny.rr.com> Subject: To enable or disable the Airbag; that is the question Hi, recently installed rollbar, sparco evo2 seats and sparco harnesses in 98 M3/2. Not a daily driver (mainly for trackdays) but does see street usage occasionally. Some say to disable the airbag (vs. cost of fixing it if deployed; espec. during a track event), others say not to disable. Sitting much closer to the steering wheel (it's in a fixed position due to VAC seat mount) I'm not overly comfortable being that close to the airbag. Or is it not really an issue? Thoughts? Opinions? Thanks, yEnc
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#6. Re: [E36M3] To enable or disable the Airbag; that is the question - from Kent L. Shephard
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Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 13:10:40 -0700 From: "Kent L. Shephard" <kents@kls-consulting.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] To enable or disable the Airbag; that is the question Just curious? Why not add a switch or just pull the fuse for track days? I'm a EE, there has to be some way to disable the airbag. It's got electronic control and sensors. Either you fool the sensor input and tell the control module that the car never has impact or disable sensor/and or control. Kent FS wrote: >Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 15:33:55 -0400 >From: "FS" <freestat@stny.rr.com> >Subject: To enable or disable the Airbag; that is the question > >Hi, recently installed rollbar, sparco evo2 seats and sparco harnesses in 98 >M3/2. Not a daily driver (mainly for trackdays) but does see street usage >occasionally. > >Some say to disable the airbag (vs. cost of fixing it if deployed; espec. >during a track event), others say not to disable. > >Sitting much closer to the steering wheel (it's in a fixed position due to >VAC seat mount) I'm not overly comfortable being that close to the airbag. >Or is it not really an issue? > >Thoughts? Opinions? > >Thanks, > >yEnc > > > >************************************************* >Please help support the E36M3 list by visiting our sponsors: > >Bimmerworld http://www.bimmerworld.com >Turner Motorsport http://www.turnermotorsport.com >Eurosport High Performance http://www.eurosporthighperformance.com >Rogue Engineering http://www.rogueengineering.com > >DIGEST INFORMATION: >http://www.bmw-m.net/resources/digest_info.htm >************************************************* > > > > > -- "To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." 1918, Theodore Roosevelt
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#7. FW: [E36M3] To enable or disable the Airbag; that is the question - from Dave Arnold
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Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 18:41:51 -0400 From: "Dave Arnold" <air2daa@insightbb.com> Subject: FW: [E36M3] To enable or disable the Airbag; that is the question I've heard that if you disconnect the impact sensor located in the center of the vehicle under the rear seat, it will prevent the airbag from firing. Apparently the air bag light on the dash will come on, but I'm used to that (damn seat belt sensor). Then when the track event is over, just connect the sensor again. I'm not sure if you have to reset the system with the airbag reset tool or not. Does anyone know this? I'm interested in this topic after adding harnesses for the track not only because I sit slightly closer on the track but also I've been told that the passenger air bag typically cracks the windshield when deploying. I'm curious what other people do or have either seen or experienced. Could going off the track (straight) into a gravel pit cause enough deceleration to trigger the airbags without actually hitting anything, thus changing an otherwise stupid mistake (missing your line) into an expensive experience (airbags, cracked windshield, hurt neck from airbag hitting helmet)? Dave A 95 ///M3 "HIOFCR" -----Original Message----- From: Kent L. Shephard [mailto:kents@kls-consulting.com] Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2004 4:24 PM To: E36M3 Subject: Re: [E36M3] To enable or disable the Airbag; that is the question Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 13:10:40 -0700 From: "Kent L. Shephard" <kents@kls-consulting.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] To enable or disable the Airbag; that is the question Just curious? Why not add a switch or just pull the fuse for track days? I'm a EE, there has to be some way to disable the airbag. It's got electronic control and sensors. Either you fool the sensor input and tell the control module that the car never has impact or disable sensor/and or control. Kent FS wrote: >Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 15:33:55 -0400 >From: "FS" <freestat@stny.rr.com> >Subject: To enable or disable the Airbag; that is the question > >Hi, recently installed rollbar, sparco evo2 seats and sparco harnesses >in 98 M3/2. Not a daily driver (mainly for trackdays) but does see >street usage occasionally. > >Some say to disable the airbag (vs. cost of fixing it if deployed; >espec. during a track event), others say not to disable. > >Sitting much closer to the steering wheel (it's in a fixed position due >to VAC seat mount) I'm not overly comfortable being that close to the >airbag. Or is it not really an issue? > >Thoughts? Opinions? > >Thanks, > >yEnc > > > >************************************************* >Please help support the E36M3 list by visiting our sponsors: > >Bimmerworld http://www.bimmerworld.com >Turner Motorsport http://www.turnermotorsport.com >Eurosport High Performance http://www.eurosporthighperformance.com >Rogue Engineering http://www.rogueengineering.com > >DIGEST INFORMATION: http://www.bmw-m.net/resources/digest_info.htm >************************************************* > > > > > -- "To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." 1918, Theodore Roosevelt ************************************************* Please help support the E36M3 list by visiting our sponsors: Bimmerworld http://www.bimmerworld.com Turner Motorsport http://www.turnermotorsport.com Eurosport High Performance http://www.eurosporthighperformance.com Rogue Engineering http://www.rogueengineering.com DIGEST INFORMATION: http://www.bmw-m.net/resources/digest_info.htm *************************************************
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#8. Re: [E36M3] To enable or disable the Airbag; that is the - from Jim Bassett
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Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 15:47:52 -0700 From: Jim Bassett <jim@jimbassett.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] To enable or disable the Airbag; that is the question At 12:43 PM 8/18/04, FS talked about: >Thoughts? Opinions? Well, my race/track car no longer has it's airbag, due to having an aftermarket steering wheel. I drive it to/from the track all the time (no tow vehicle). Full cage/harnesses/race seat. But then, that's my choice. My 2 cents, Jim Bassett 1998 M3/4 1993 325is #44 JP/A5
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#9. RE: [E36M3] To enable or disable the Airbag; that is the question - from Jeremy Conners
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Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 19:16:45 -0400 From: "Jeremy Conners" <jeremy.conners@comcast.net> Subject: RE: [E36M3] To enable or disable the Airbag; that is the question IMHO disconnect the SRS main unit under the rear seat. There are 2 reasons for this: the airbag will have no effect if you are properly harnessed in the seat and the system will not be awake to record a potential airbag firing deceleration (we only get 3 on the E36M3 SRS unit). I would disconnect the battery and wait for the system capacitors to discharge. Then disconnect the main unit under the rear seat. Then reconnect the battery. The light in the dash will come on, but this is due to the redundant light in the same position (incandescent bulb is primary, LED is backup). After your track day, you should be able to reverse the procedure to re-arm the SRS system. It should not set a code in the SRS system if done properly. You can also insert dummy resistors in the airbag connectors to fool the SRS system into thinking the squib is there. I think ~2.2 ohm is the proper resistance for our system. The drawback is that the SRS system will still be awake and can potentially record an event. This would set a code and it also counts as 1 of the 3 that our units can undergo. Best regards, Jeremy Conners
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#10. RE: [E36M3] To enable or disable the Airbag; that is the question - from Carlos.F.Lopez@jci.com
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Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2004 07:48:08 -0400 From: Carlos.F.Lopez@jci.com Subject: RE: [E36M3] To enable or disable the Airbag; that is the question >I would disconnect the battery and wait for the system capacitors to >discharge. Then disconnect the main unit under the rear seat. Then >reconnect the battery. The light in the dash will come on, but this is due >to the redundant light in the same position (incandescent bulb is primary, >LED is backup). If you remove the airbag steering wheel how do you make the light go away? I've removed airbags from E30s before (battery always disconnected) and I know unplugging all the orange connectors makes the SRS light go away but I've never tried it on an E36. Carlos (disabled probably hundreds of side impact airbags at work, for media seats) 93 325is future JP car, might install the quick disconnect steering wheel this weekend