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#1. Re: size of bulbs in ellipsoids? - from Neil Maller
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Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2005 12:48:16 -0500 From: Neil Maller <neil.maller@gte.net> Subject: Re: size of bulbs in ellipsoids? on 3/25/05 12:20 PM, Carey Probst <hcprobst@alum.mit.edu> wrote: > Been following this for a while. Do you have a source for the Euro > Silverstars in H1? Excellent source for specialty lighting products and technical information about them: http://www.danielsternlighting.com/products/products.html Neil Fort Wayne, IN 96 M3 - Bastard child 03 525iT - Sterling Grey Metallic 77 MGB - Original owner, need to sell 05 Mini - Cooper S with LSD!
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#2. Re: [E36M3] RE: size of bulbs in ellipsoids? - from Jim Bassett
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Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2005 09:58:00 -0800 (PST) From: "Jim Bassett" <jim@jimbassett.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] RE: size of bulbs in ellipsoids? On Fri, March 25, 2005 9:10 am, Murray Roblin said: > Don, > I'm a bit confused. As I understand it, the E36 already uses headlight > relays, which are located in the main power box in the engine > compartment. Are you suggesting that these are inadequate, or that the > wiring from these relays to the headlights is inadequate? Are you > suggesting that a second set of of relays be installed between the > factory relays and the headlamps, with a new power cable run? I'm not Don <g>, but I *am* an EE :-) The E36 already utilizes relays in it's headlight circuit. They are more than adequate to handle switching the higher current when using higher wattage bulbs. However, you will need to up-rate the fuses. As Don said in an earlier email, the wiring (inside the headlight assemblies, particularly) may not be up to the current requirements for higher wattage bulbs. I ran 100W bulbs in the low beams of my ellipsoids for ~6 years, until recently. Both the ground and power wires had "corroded/charred" due to the increased current draw, one power lug breaking off during a bulb change. Hence why I've gone back to 55W bulbs in the lows - I don't notice a big difference in actual lightning effeciency. At some point I'll get a new set of headlight assemblies, or maybe try re-wiring the existing ones, in order to get "fresh/clean" wiring in there. Hope that answers the question, Jim Bassett
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#3. Re: Re: Oxygen sensors - CEL - from Neil Maller
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Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2005 12:58:32 -0500 From: Neil Maller <neil.maller@gte.net> Subject: Re: Re: Oxygen sensors - CEL on 3/24/05 5:40 PM, E36M3 at e36m3@bmw-m.net wrote: > Agreed here... similar case here a while back, blah. That doesn't have > any adverse effects on the sensors does it, the swapping that is? No, fortunately. It did however lead to some interesting engine control behaviour. As the ECU adaptation process took place it would, say, richen the mixture on bank 1-3 but see no result, so would richen it some more, and so on. So the engine would run worse and worse and throw all kinds of fault codes. Clearing the codes would return everything to baseline, then it would get worse and worse again. Neil Fort Wayne, IN 96 M3 - Bastard child 03 525iT - Sterling Grey Metallic 77 MGB - Original owner, need to sell 05 Mini - Cooper S with LSD!
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#4. Airbag passenger seat pad sensor - from Trmptdc@aol.com
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Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2005 13:10:39 EST From: Trmptdc@aol.com Subject: Airbag passenger seat pad sensor My airbag light went on about six months ago and the code indicated a bad pass seat sensor. It was reset and did not come on again until a week ago. I have reset it again and it remains off. It seems that each time it went on it was with a large (>200 lbs) passenger in the car. This has only happened twice and I have had many other passengers in the car with no triggering of the light. Question 1: Has anyone gotten BMW to assist with this repair as I understand it is a quite common problem. My car is a 1998 M3/4 with 40K miles. Question 2: Since this is an intermittent occurance, do I even need to fix it? Will the airbag work even with this fault code? Question 3: If I do get this fixed, how much is standard for this repair and is there any potential for problems because of taking the seat apart to do it? Thanks Steve
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#5. [E36M3] Collection of E36 M3 articles from Bimmerforums... - from Dave DeBuhr
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Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2005 10:12:13 -0800 From: "Dave DeBuhr" <debuhr@comcast.net> Subject: [E36M3] Collection of E36 M3 articles from Bimmerforums... http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=311569
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#6. Re: [E36M3] RE: size of bulbs in ellipsoids? - from Don Eilenberger
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Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2005 13:17:34 -0500 From: Don Eilenberger <deilenberger@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] RE: size of bulbs in ellipsoids? At 12:05 PM 3/25/2005, Murray Roblin wrote: >Don, >I'm a bit confused. As I understand it, the E36 already uses headlight >relays, which are located in the main power box in the engine >compartment. Are you suggesting that these are inadequate, or that the >wiring from these relays to the headlights is inadequate? Are you >suggesting that a second set of of relays be installed between the >factory relays and the headlamps, with a new power cable run? > >Thanks, >Murray I'm suggesting adding relays NEAR the lights themselves. The wiring BMW uses is barely adequate when brand new. I suspect if you measure voltage drop between your bulb and the battery jump-start post in the engine compartment, you'll find some loss. IF someone is using an over-wattage bulb I can about guarantee loss. The closer you can get an adequately sized power feed to the power consumer the less loss you'll have in the circuitry. The first thing to do is measure the drop, if it's more than 1V (not unusual) you will see a noticeable difference with the relays. >Murray Roblin >Palo Alto Best, _______D_o_n__________S_p_r_i_n_g__L_a_k_e__H_t_s____________©1946________ Don Eilenberger, Spring Lk Hts, NJ - http://www.njsbmwr.org/ '98 M3c/5, '03 525iT, '87 K75S
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#7. Re: size of bulbs in ellipsoids? - from Theodore Serbinski
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Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2005 13:33:27 -0500 From: Theodore Serbinski <stanson@gmail.com> Subject: Re: size of bulbs in ellipsoids? > http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/relays/relays.html > > I do know one vendor who makes plug-and-play relay kits for > BMW motorcycles - I've been trying to convince him one for > BMW cars - specifically the E36 - might be very marketable. Wow, sounds like that would be a great product to market. A PnP relay kit that boosts light output by up to 40%. Sounds like a simple winner to me. I'm assuming this would work on all BMWs tho, no? Seems to me similar circuitry would be present, although not sure how this would apply to Xenons. Interesting! ted
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#8. Re: size of bulbs in ellipsoids? - from Don Eilenberger
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Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2005 13:41:19 -0500 From: Don Eilenberger <deilenberger@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: size of bulbs in ellipsoids? At 12:09 PM 3/25/2005, Theodore Serbinski wrote: > > If you wanted to contribute to part 2 of the E36 lighting article > > and loan me these bulbs for a few days.. You'd get a nice thank > > you in Roundel :-) And I'd fed-ex them right back to you.. > >Hey Don I might be able to work something out here. I ordered 2 sets >of the Osrams Silverstars... one for low beams and foglights, but I >think I'm going to throw another set in my hibeams as well, so I need >to order another set. Contact me off list and we can work something >out here. Cool. Will do. > > BTW - one more way to really increase light from your E36 - > > headlight relays. You'd be surprised how a 10% drop in voltage > > getting to the headlight (not at all uncommon on a BMW) can > > result in 40% less light (for real!) and it only gets worse > > at the cars get older. > >Yeah I think I'm gonna stray from those 100W bulbs but I'm very >interested in replacing my relays to improve my ellipsoids + 55W >bulbs. > >Any part numbers for these or place to get these relays? Best to >replace all of the relays in the fusebox on the drivers side under the >hood? Anywhere else? Details!!! Thanks! Actually - what you want to do is ADD relays that bring full alternator power to the headlights. That is best done by adding them close to what they'll be feeding - the headlights. Daniel Stern has a writeup on this at: http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/relays/relays.html None of the diagrams apply directly to our headlight setup since on an E36 both bulbs are a single filament.. but it's not difficult to figure out using these diagrams. As he points out - quality parts are important, as is adequate size wiring (12 gauge marine wire - which is fully tinned - is excellent for the power feed to the relays) and some care in making up and installing the system. I do know one vendor who makes plug-and-play relay kits for BMW motorcycles - I've been trying to convince him one for BMW cars - specifically the E36 - might be very marketable. >ted HTH, _______D_o_n__________S_p_r_i_n_g__L_a_k_e__H_t_s____________©1946________ Don Eilenberger, Spring Lk Hts, NJ - http://www.njsbmwr.org/ '98 M3c/5, '03 525iT, '87 K75S
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#9. Re: [E36M3] Re: size of bulbs in ellipsoids? - from Jim Bassett
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Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2005 10:57:52 -0800 (PST) From: "Jim Bassett" <jim@jimbassett.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Re: size of bulbs in ellipsoids? On Fri, March 25, 2005 10:40 am, Don Eilenberger said: > Actually - what you want to do is ADD relays that bring full > alternator power to the headlights. That is best done by adding > them close to what they'll be feeding - the headlights. > > Daniel Stern has a writeup on this at: > > http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/relays/relays.html > > None of the diagrams apply directly to our headlight setup > since on an E36 both bulbs are a single filament.. but it's > not difficult to figure out using these diagrams. OK, I may be suffering from a case of the "Friday stupids" <g>, but looking at that article, the "Upgraded Headlight Circuit" figure is how the headlights are wired in an E36 already, yes? So, I'm wondering why you're advocating ADDING relays to an E36 headlight circuit, when there already ARE relays in the headlight circuit? (Unfortunately, I don't have my Bentley handy to verify that the relays are powered from the alternator as shown in that figure, or not.) Thanks, Jim Bassett
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#10. Re: [E36M3] Re: size of bulbs in ellipsoids? - from Don Eilenberger
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Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2005 14:40:32 -0500 From: Don Eilenberger <deilenberger@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Re: size of bulbs in ellipsoids? At 01:57 PM 3/25/2005, Jim Bassett wrote: >On Fri, March 25, 2005 10:40 am, Don Eilenberger said: > > Daniel Stern has a writeup on this at: > > > > http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/relays/relays.html > > > > None of the diagrams apply directly to our headlight setup > > since on an E36 both bulbs are a single filament.. but it's > > not difficult to figure out using these diagrams. > >OK, I may be suffering from a case of the "Friday stupids" <g>, but >looking at that article, the "Upgraded Headlight Circuit" figure is how >the headlights are wired in an E36 already, yes? Well.. yes and no. No - the E36 doesn't have dual filament bulbs in either housing. Yes - BMW does use relays, but with a goodly distance between them and the power consumers (the bulbs) with what is "adequate" wire being used.. The goal that I have in mind is to move the relays close to the headlights so a minimal length of wire separates them and the bulbs, and feed them with a circuit that is more than adequate for the load involved. On the motorcycles, we went from a not atypical 1.2-1.5V drop to less than 0.25V drop. This equates to a lot more light. I haven't measured E36 drop - yet - I think since it's a good topic I'll try to do it this weekend. >So, I'm wondering why you're advocating ADDING relays to an E36 headlight >circuit, when there already ARE relays in the headlight circuit? >(Unfortunately, I don't have my Bentley handy to verify that the relays >are powered from the alternator as shown in that figure, or not.) It would be interesting to see where they are powered from, and the size of the wiring used. One would hope they come off the alternator, or the alternator and the feed wire to the battery (which should all be in that area.) But - I haven't looked to see. I have the ETM at home, so perhaps it may show it. One other thing lots of people miss when adding relays - the ground (return) wire is just as important as the feed wiring. Frequently on BMW's these are bundled together, and a bunch of them join within the harness to one larger ground that goes to the chassis. I have seen high resistance form in the junction within the harness, and if there is any problem with the chassis ground connection - you'll have lots of circuits that aren't receiving all the power they should. Easy test for this is measure the voltage between the headlight ground connection (usually brown) and a good engine ground point. More than 0.25V can be improved on easily. >Thanks, >Jim Bassett Best, _______D_o_n__________S_p_r_i_n_g__L_a_k_e__H_t_s____________©1946________ Don Eilenberger, Spring Lk Hts, NJ - http://www.njsbmwr.org/ '98 M3c/5, '03 525iT, '87 K75S