Boot tool kit

[ChrisHC]

In the tool kit there seems to be provision for a long rod stored inside the spark plug spanner, and something is visible in some photos. As I presume the grey plastic handled tommy bar next to it is for turning the spanner, what is that rod?

[Brianmoooore]

It serves as a tommy bar for the spark plug socket, and pushes into a wheel bolt hole in a hub, to guide the wheel into position while you fit a couple of bolts.

[pacerpete]

Long rod has an Allen / hex at one end and the removable screwdriver handle fits on the other. it is used with the very rare white plastic tool for manually operating electric window motors on early pre '88 cars .

[ChrisHC]

While the cranked Allen key is for manually operating the electric windows on later cars?
Were the white plastic tool and perhaps that rod omitted from later cars because the cranked Allen key had taken over that function, and that is why they are rare?

[Brianmoooore]

Cranked allen key is for manual operation of an electric sunroof. There is no access to the mechanism of later electric windows for manual operation.
Any later doorcard that has a blanking plug, where the manual winder would be, has been fitted with electric windows by the supplying dealer. The mechanisms used for this are far different from the factory items, and far inferior.

[minesapint]

All as Brian says.
And BMW didn't bother providing an updated toolkit holder, hence why there are spaces without tools in them.....looks messy, un-BMW like, people "not in the know" think there are parts missing. The tommy bar/wheel guide rod does not fit onto the screwdriver handle on mine.
Photo of original unmolested 86 toolkit

[pacerpete]

There is another thin 'rod' that sits in the plug socket, you can clearly see where its ends would locate in your pic. That rod is the one for the unicorn dust tool that does the windows . Only very early facelift cars have the cable type window regulators that work with this tool so it is seldom seen in facelift tool kits.

[minesapint]

Thanks, but a little confused.......my photo is for an "86" preface-lift car and I can see the recesses you're referring to.
Are you saying these slots were built into the toolkit holder on pre face-lift cars ready for the tool to-come on facelift cars?

[ChrisHC]

Cranked allen key is for manual operation of an electric sunroof.

OK, but I do notice if I take out the blanking plate and then the rubber grommet, what looks like the end of a spindle is exposed and that has a socket that takes the Allen key, so perhaps that is dual purpose? Mine is an 1987 car but pre-facelift.

[minesapint]

Just remembered we covered this topic some time ago
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... highlight=