E34 525 new questions

[E34-520iSE]

Lol yes that would help!
Not everyone is a sane, sensible driver like me (I wish!)

Cheers!

Shaun M

[daimlerman]

The E34 that was kind enough to donate it's M50 for my touring had a very entertaining handling trait.
Full throttle in a straight line,change up and the rear end leapt to the left....
Axle carrier bushes were,um,a bit worn...

[robbo86]

Tyre could be taking roundabouts like a boy racer maybe...

Thats bloody good going for a car I have owned for exactly 1 week!

[Speedtouch]

OBC may need a touch of rewiring of the connector harness on pin 17 to make it work - I had to do this with my 1988 535iSE, and it's quite a simple task:
http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Upgrade/OBC.htm

[robbo86]

Thanks Maurice. I assume I can add in the remote stalk later?

[Speedtouch]

Yes, a bit like the E30 in that respect - you don't have to have the remote stalk to be able to operate the OBC.

[robbo86]

Cheers dude. Helpfull to know as I bought a 13 button OBC on egay earlier to replace my 6.

Another question! Can you get the lighted M-tec gearknob for the 5 series like you could for the 3? I was going to get one for my 3 before I got annoyed with it and would like to do this to my 5 at some stage coupled with the fact that the gearknob is knackered?

[Speedtouch]

If you need some E34 spares, my bro has some left over from his 1988 525iSE, including full Zender bodykit, bootlid, steering wheel, some trim odds and sods, headlamps and rear lamps, loads of relays, spare ABS ECU and lamp relays unit, unworn windscreen wiper rack and I have a set of new M20B25 head bolts going cheap.

[robbo86]

Hmmmmm will certainly bear that in mind and might well have a few of those bits, body kit sounds good but have to get some other issues sorted first.

[Speedtouch]

No problem dude. The Zender kit is as pictured:

[robbo86]

That is sweet. I assume that was your bothers car. Trouble with mine being white if it was was it would not be cheap to respray the body kit...

[Gortour]

Tyre could be taking roundabouts like a boy racer maybe...

Thats bloody good going for a car I have owned for exactly 1 week!

I was commenting on the previous owner, not you mate...

[Speedtouch]

That is sweet. I assume that was your bothers car. Trouble with mine being white if it was was it would not be cheap to respray the body kit...

Yes, it was my brother's. He runs a bodyshop near Canterbury, and I'm sure he could do you a decent deal on a respray and fitting if you were to require a Zender kit on your E34

[robbo86]

Thanks dude. Might build that in to getting some other cosmetic issues sorted. Or as it's White and therefore annoying to get fixed I might stick it on pistonheads, flog it and get another in and easier to clean colour! Will let you know anyway maurice. Cheers dude!

[robbo86]

I got my 13 button OBC. How do I remove my 6 button one and do I need a coding plug?

[Speedtouch]

Clock/OBC removal is explained in the link above (see 'Procedure')
http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Upgrade/OBC.htm

No coding plug needed, though you may have to set the OBC up to function correctly.

[robbo86]

Maybe I am just being thick but I dont understand it. I seem to have that issue sometimes that I can read instructions but cant seem to translate them into actual actions but I am sure I read that one and it mentions how to remove the clock but not a 6 button OBC.

[robbo86]

Ok I used the exact same guide but on a different website which did not include the all important picture detailing where the lever which pops the obc out is. Will try it again later. But you dont think I will need the coding plug if I allready have an OBC no?

[robbo86]

Bumpety Bump.

Got the 6 button out, sodding lever was on the opposite side to the side it was supposed to be and either my OBC doesnt work or I need to do that coding plug thing talked about in the fitting guide.

Also, when I put my heated screen on the radio reception goes crap. I know it uses the rear screen elements for an aerial but I wouldnt have thought BMW would sell them from new like this surely? Any ideas?

[Speedtouch]

Chances are, you will need to do that wiring mod to get the power to pin 17 before it will work, then all should spring into life.

The radio reception issue may be down to the amplifier from the rear screen elements, which I gather is located in the boot somewhere - maybe it's not earthed properly?

[robbo86]

Seems to affect Radio 1 more than the local stations. I will try take another look in daylight to get the OBC working.

[fingerman]

I'm sure I'm come across this issue before regarding the rear screen elements - there's a guy called Shogun who's pretty good on this. Think he's got an E32 but the internals are very similar.

Maybe a quick search on the E32/E34 forums will answer this.

BTW out of all the E34's I've had I've never had an issue with radio reception - maybe lucky?

Anyway, good luck with the search

[robbo86]

Still not really much further on with this but hey ho.

Another question, nothing too major. The drivers side lock is a bit stiff when turning the key, where would be the best place for a bit of WD. Straight down the keyhole?

[robbo86]

Ok I was out today trying to replace the wash/wipe switch. Not a tough job in itself and I got them all fitted up. Problem is, I suspect I was either sold a switch for a touring or with intensive wash (do e34s have intensive wash as an option?) The end of the switch can be pushed onto the stalk whereas my old one cant and it has an extra plug. I assumed all would work correctly if I just plugged it in anyway, however the wash doesnt work, but the wipers do as in response to the washer working. Could this be knackered switch or becuase the other plug isnt wired up?

The old plug



The new plug(s)



Also I found something else behind the dash. Any ideas???



It had this on the back



What could it be?

[Speedtouch]

The mystery item is an '80s ultrasonic alarm module - hence the T (Transmitter) & R (Receiver) for the 40kHz sensors (still available from Maplin, or I have some new old stock sensors complete with cables available cheaply if you need them). The adjuster alters the sensitivity of the unit.

[robbo86]

Cool. I still have those sensors in the car. So I just have to find the plugs. I have noticed the alarm under the bonnet but not sure how to check the alarm works. Somehow and god alone knows how, while fiddling with the wires for the wiper I have managed to stop the instruments working. Neither the digital mileage tachometer speedo and the fuel and temp guage. Which plug should I be looking for?

[Speedtouch]

Plug in the ultrasonic transducers (the plugs for which may be hidden behind the glovebox), being sure to get them the correct way round (remember, one is a transmitter, the other a receiver), then in theory the alarm should work - though it may of course need a remote actuator to arm/disarm it; is it the original BMW alarm, or a Moss or similar unit?

Check the plugs on the back of the instrument cluster (there may well be two or three) - they just push in. If secure, all should be well...

[robbo86]

Fair enough. Needs a couple of hours in daylight which I cant do as I am working all days this week. Might have to do a shift swap or slip an early to a late as this will land me in trouble otherwise

[Speedtouch]

I thought 5-series executives didn't have to stand for any trouble from anyone!