E30 Zone

Hi Guys

I just got a 1989 BMW 320 i and no manuals. On the centre console there are a couple of buttons which do I know not what.

The square one top left. From scanning the faq's am I correct that it is the child window lock ?

The other is oblong with a lightning sysmbol on it, don't have a clue what that is - HELP will be appreciated.

Welcome to the zone ... er ... don't press the one with the lightning symbol on unless the roof is open

Hi that was quick. Thank you but I don't have a sunroof but it would be usefull as I live in South Africa. I am as they say "mechanically challenged" and 62 years old too.

Thanks again.

Couldn't resist it.

The top left square button prevents the rear windows from opening.

The lightning symbol deactivates the 'lift' action of (all - I think) windows, in case you have left little 'uns in the car and you don't want the brother to trap the sisters head in the window Spoils all the fun!

Although at 62 you're probably past the first phase of kids ... then again as I typed that I thought ....

From memory, you are one of a selected group of approx less than 10 senior members who have the privilege to have passed their 60th birthday (me included, by 6 months).

Hi Tom - Nice to meet someone with a good sense of humour. I am an ex-pat brit so get the irony. As I am not able to sponsor you in the UK I will do my bit and support CANSA (Cancer SA).

So Now, How do I overhaul the Automatic Gearbox and will I need anything more than a Phillips screwdriver? I think I can lay my hands on some British Standard Whitworth spanners of indeterminate sizes and oh yes a five pound 'ammer (sorry Hammer, I'm from Lancashire).

Have a great swim and best of luck.

Tom or Oom Tom (means Uncle Tom locally).

Right, for your gearbox query, do 2 things:-

1. Use the search function higher up this page to check out any previous postings.

2. Pose a question on the technical help forum, and wait for the guys to rush to your aid.

May be easier to trade the autobox for a rebuilt one.You should ask Santa to bring you some metric spanners. Not too much you can do with your 5lb Birmingham spanner....is it sunny and warm in SA?

Welcome to the zone ... er ... don't press the one with the lightning symbol on unless the roof is open

TOOOOOOOO FUNNNNY

Its not a child window lock, i thought it was a window breaker. Or a fuse, or whatever you all call it. Though I guess it would work as a child window lock too, though the window switches are all up by the driver so why would you need a child window lock?

Yes, it's a circuit breaker - only cars with 4 electric windows have the separate child safety button to disable the switches on the rear doors..