The official E36 OT Thread!!

Originally Posted by cj.surr

Didn't think of that... seriously doubt it though.

Sent from my SCH-I405 using Bimmer App

Lol cj my story is similar to that. We bought a battery but my car killed that too and me and brother explain to the manager at auto zone what happened and he gave me a full refund then we went next door (literally) to advance to get an alternator for 140 w/core and repaired it right out front and ran to harbor freight legit across the street for a few things if needed

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Bimmer App

Originally Posted by cj.surr

Last second before purchasing, I decide to get the alternator tested just in case. They strap it up, and it turns out good. What the hell??

we go over to Autozone to get a belt. I try getting it in but there is nearly NO room to work in that damn van. We spent an hour before realizing it was just a little too short.


I replaced it and it was still taking soooo long to jump. Even with the autozone jumper box. Eventually we get it going, but there is still only 12v or so going to the battery. I didn't want to risk getting back on the interstate because I would be screwed if I broke down again. So we drove it around a bit, and the voltage was very slowly climbing. It was around 7pm and I just wanted to get back to CT (3 hours away). So Joe and his buddy follow me for quite a few miles just in case. The car is running well, and the voltage at the battery is 13v. So I decide to go for it, and I had no problems. Around halfway back, I notice the voltage has finally reached normal (14v). Pretty strange, but it got me home. I guess the problem was the alternator after all.

As the others have said, few parts stores do an adequate test on alternators. If their tester does have a load capability it's typically 20-30 amps which barely loads the alternator. Could be the regulator went bad or one of the rectifier diodes. If you lose one of the diodes in the rectifier bridge you only see a few tenths of a volt drop with a typical volt meter but you've lost 30% of the alternators capacity to provide current.

I can count on one hand the number of times Autozone has given me the correct part the first time, and they have NEVER given me the right belt the first time. There's one about 3 blocks from my house but I usually drive the 3 miles to the NAPA store.

Sorry you had such long day CJ. Really, really first class of you to try to help the lady in the middle of the crap you were trying to fix on your own car.

Originally Posted by E36 Phantom

Wow CJ, sounds like a lousy day. I wonder why the alternator tested fine when it wasn't.

Sent from my LG Revolution 4G using BimmerApp

as stated by so many others, it was one of those parts houses....ok for some things, but not my first choice by far. glad you got it sorted, though.


bought an ugly ti today. (cue the ti jokes in 3,...2,..)

i like to think of it as a rescue. poor thing is in such need of attention. it's been modded by an 'audio engineer'... but, will drag ithome and see what i can make of it. it's going to be a swap candidate, anyway, so it'll be one of my longer term projects.

perhaps even a sbc v8 swap?? dunno yet....paint is new, but horrible. interior is shot. offered a fair price over the phone if it was a viable candidate, got there and it wasn't, so i went to walk away. he stated he'd take 500 for it, just wants it gone. i'll need to get a trailer to get it home, though. unless i can get to the mvc to get it tagged up. we'll see. gonna be busy monday....





df

Put m3 cat back on Coreys 328 today...actually a huge difference even at idle

Sent from my XT901 using Bimmer App

My new beast.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Bimmer App

My brothers new to him car


Bmw housr in effect

Annnd his 2nd post ever here lol
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Bimmer App

Originally Posted by B1MM3R

Put m3 cat back on Coreys 328 today...actually a huge difference even at idle

Sent from my XT901 using Bimmer App

Taco?

Originally Posted by Kdoherty

Taco?

Yes sir
Actually think he was called nacho lol
Sent from my XT901 using Bimmer App

Damn, love the X5. BMW houses ftw!

Sent from my LG Revolution 4G using BimmerApp

Lets get it in bro...

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Bimmer App

Originally Posted by TouTou

Lets get it in bro...

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Bimmer App

The summer's ours. (well Jen too since she has a cookiemonster now )

I'm watching Night at The Roxbury and just realized that Steve and Doug drive an E36....

So does one of the girls on clueless





I know what youre thinking... and my girlfriend made me watch it!


Edit: It's hellrot x 2

I've got big balls, I got big balls!

Yeah, AC DC

the one in night at the roxbury is just a regular non M looks black, but the headlights look like HID projectors... which for the US in 1998 when the movie was released is weird. it was a facelift model with dove interior so im saying it was most likely a 328 lux package from Europe.

New cup holder mod....missed the cup holder a couple weeks ago and spilt my drink, never again! Matches perfect in person and not as bright. Also new fogs
New corners should be here next week.

Sent from my XT901 using Bimmer App

man i wanna put fogs in so bad. on days like today when its rainy and foggy and cold my headlights dont seem to cast as much light and i wish i had working HID fogs.

Originally Posted by Kdoherty

man i wanna put fogs in so bad. on days like today when its rainy and foggy and cold my headlights dont seem to cast as much light and i wish i had working HID fogs.

YEa I drove home without my hids on lol, just my cities and fogs(regular not hid)

oOo, I like the cup holders.

Sent from my LG Revolution 4G using BimmerApp

Originally Posted by E36 Phantom

oOo, I like the cup holders.

Sent from my LG Revolution 4G using BimmerApp

Thanks!

Originally Posted by E36 Phantom

oOo, I like the cup holders.

Sent from my LG Revolution 4G using BimmerApp

I agree. Did you just drill a hole and stick an LED/bulb in?

I want so many things for my car but no money. And electrical is bull**** to me.... Anyone know lots about electrical? I have a plan

Sent from my Desire HD using Bimmer App

Originally Posted by drive by72

I agree. Did you just drill a hole and stick an LED/bulb in?

Yea drilled really small holes,2 small led per holder and tapped into shift knob wiring.

Originally Posted by Eight Thirty

I want so many things for my car but no money. And electrical is bull**** to me.... Anyone know lots about electrical? I have a plan

Sent from my Desire HD using Bimmer App

I know all about electrical... Whaddya wanna know?

Jesse,

Those cities are awesome. I've got the bulbs and sockets ready to go. Just waiting until I get my new hellrot nose that up in chicago before I take the front apart.