Ok, I have picked up my old mans 328 e36 four door in Samoa blue having flogged my e34. It's about 105k miles and a few little niggles need sorting. Will post some pictures up soon, when I get on the computer, mrs86 is essay writing ATM.
Anyway, my first question is this: it has one of the sigma 3t alarms and the siren internal battery went flat, meaning it no longer sounds. Does anyone know how to open the siren to replace it? I had a breif look in the dark but couldn't find the answer.
Secondly, the passenger door does not lock or unlock off the central locking 99% of the time, there is the odd occasions when it does. Is this going to be a new relay or solenoid?
Thirdly, what should a new backbox cost me. The owner before my dad welded some chrome trims on the end of the tailpipe. They look nice but are rusted and I think beyond saving. I reckon I should replace the box and get the BMW chrome tailpipe trims!
I will post up more questions as and when I discover the wee small jobs I want to do.
TIA
My new BMW E36 few questions
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Simon
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You would be better looking for a 2nd hand standard back box, these systems last ages, and finding a 2nd hand one should be simple, they go for peanuts on e-bay.
New one is going to be big bucks!
Central locking fault should be a simple actuator fault.
New one is going to be big bucks!
Central locking fault should be a simple actuator fault.
Thanks. Was thinking last night, it's relatively well specced 18 button obc etc but no leather! Can you guys think of any other suitable retrofit oem goodness (leather being the obvious one).
Any question I have is, would changing my head lights cause my check control on the obc to come on saying they are out. I know you can get some kits with the CANBUS stuff on it, but does this apply to mine? Also, since swapping the rear lights for a clear indicator set, the OBC says tail light failure in spite of the fact I know they all work? Lastly, there are a couple of bulbs out on the spoiler brake light. Are these easy to replace?
Any question I have is, would changing my head lights cause my check control on the obc to come on saying they are out. I know you can get some kits with the CANBUS stuff on it, but does this apply to mine? Also, since swapping the rear lights for a clear indicator set, the OBC says tail light failure in spite of the fact I know they all work? Lastly, there are a couple of bulbs out on the spoiler brake light. Are these easy to replace?
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Simon
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Loads of nice mods can be done to E36's, plenty of retro fit stuff too.
Auto dimming interior mirror
Footwell lights
Cruise control
Rear electric windows (2 door and 4 door)
Just a little start for you.
E36 is too early for Canbus.
Have you fitted a HID kit?
Some E36's are fitted with a CCM, did the rear lights come from a car without the OBC?
Auto dimming interior mirror
Footwell lights
Cruise control
Rear electric windows (2 door and 4 door)
Just a little start for you.
E36 is too early for Canbus.
Have you fitted a HID kit?
Some E36's are fitted with a CCM, did the rear lights come from a car without the OBC?
Last edited by Simon on Mon Mar 14, 2011 1:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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town325i
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Ive just bought a e36 328i in cosmos black nice colour it is a moordoor but when you hit the loud peddle it dont half shift down the road it has air con front electric windows and thats about it oh its on coilovers as well 
Can you do me a cheap excellent quality four door leather set? No? Oh well.
Lights may have come from a motor without an OBC, I'm not sure, they were in a scrapper, what's ccm? Not fitted HIDs yet. Got the leccy windows all round. Don't think I can do the auto dim mirror as it's windscreen mounted, prepared to be corrected mind. I wouldn't mind reverse park sensors (provided the oem set can be got easily). Prepared for the abuse. My response? Ram it!
Never knew these had footwell lights. It's a little sad but I am looking on egay for the switched rear lights as mine aren't. Are these a straight swap?
Lights may have come from a motor without an OBC, I'm not sure, they were in a scrapper, what's ccm? Not fitted HIDs yet. Got the leccy windows all round. Don't think I can do the auto dim mirror as it's windscreen mounted, prepared to be corrected mind. I wouldn't mind reverse park sensors (provided the oem set can be got easily). Prepared for the abuse. My response? Ram it!
Never knew these had footwell lights. It's a little sad but I am looking on egay for the switched rear lights as mine aren't. Are these a straight swap?
Proud member of the PARDON? club!
Any idea on the tail-lights error? Also today I unbolted the seats to have a proper vacuum throughout the car. Upon putting them back (making sure I plugged the deeley in that is under the passenger seat) but when I start her up the airbag light stays on for a couple of minutes before going out. Any ideas? Also had the rear seat base up to vacuum under that but did not disturb at all the little box under that for the airbag.
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Ziggy
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My E36 has a windscreen mounted auto-dim mirror 
I would guess that unplugging the pretensioners with the battery connected has had the same effect as unplugging the instrument cluster would have done - ie it's raised a fault code which you'll need to clear in order for the airbag light to stop warning you about it.
I would guess that unplugging the pretensioners with the battery connected has had the same effect as unplugging the instrument cluster would have done - ie it's raised a fault code which you'll need to clear in order for the airbag light to stop warning you about it.
E30 in need of wiring loom smoke since April '11...
What Ziggy says is right, if you unplugged the seatbelt pre-tensioners under the seats while the battery was connected it will cause the light on the dash to come on when you start the car.
You'll either need to find someone who has the reset tool or pay a visit to your local dealer/independent BMW specialist to clear it. Always disconnect the battery in advance of disconnecting pre-tensioners and airbags etc.
You'll either need to find someone who has the reset tool or pay a visit to your local dealer/independent BMW specialist to clear it. Always disconnect the battery in advance of disconnecting pre-tensioners and airbags etc.
Yep, you just need to tap into the power to the elec sunroof switch or similar.
One of the guys on the e36coupe forum (you should check that place out - will have most if not all the answers you need) did this retro-fit and included a brief write up in his journal (HERE).
One of the guys on the e36coupe forum (you should check that place out - will have most if not all the answers you need) did this retro-fit and included a brief write up in his journal (HERE).
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Ziggy
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Just a quick warning for you - auto-dim mirrors ain't all that! I expect you've tried one before but if you haven't, I'd recommend it before you go to any effort to 'upgrade'...
E30 in need of wiring loom smoke since April '11...
They're a little weird at first but once you get used to them they're quite good IMO.
My car has tinted windows and sometimes I find that when the mirror dims it's a little too dim but I think without the tinted windows it'd be spot on. All a matter of preference.
My car has tinted windows and sometimes I find that when the mirror dims it's a little too dim but I think without the tinted windows it'd be spot on. All a matter of preference.
