- How and where to jack up the BMW E39 with pictures of jack pads & jacking points (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) & what jack stands to buy or make (
1) & how to make or buy car ramps for your BMW E39 (
1) (
2) (
3) & what floor jack requirements does the E39 need (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5)
- What setting to put your air conditioner blower motor fan control at to protect the FSU (
1)
- MAF resistance testing (
1) & a DIY for replacing your MAF (
1) (
2) (
3) & cleaning your mass air flow sensor (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) and how 'not' to clean your MAF (
1) & buying a replacement MAF cheaper than the BMW MAF (
RangeRover MAF) (
VW MAF) (
Hyundai MAF)
- One users experience diagnosing parasitic dead battery overnight current drain (
1) & what's the secret to removing FSU blower motor fuse F76 (
1)
- How to find the General Module under the glovebox and how to remove the GMIII General Module 3 and how to repair the GM 3 and how the GM3 affects door locks from the key fob and central locking button (
1)
- How to activate DRL Daytime Running Lamps to go on with fog lights and headlights (
1)
- What is the best hands free bluetooth cellphone and handsfree audio streaming in 2013 (
1) & what cigarette lighter car adapter is the best power supply charger (
1)
- How the secondary air system (SAS) and secondary air pump (SAP) and air valve, check valve, & electrical valve operate (
1) & how to maintain (
1) (
2) (
3) & replace (
1) & troubleshoot the BMW E39 SAS SAP valve secondary air pump system (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) & an SAP valve group buy (
1) & a BMW TIS on how to diagnose the SAS (
1)
- What stuff (parts, fluids, gaskets, o-rings, filters, scanners, tools, etc.) should we stock in our garage for eventual use (
1)
- What is the complete list of o-rings to order for routine oil change maintenance tasks (
1)
- How to replace torn door edge protection moulding seals and crumbling gasket neoprene rubber door cover molding strips (
1)
- How to check the oil level on the oil dipstick (
1) & how to calibrate the oil level when replacing the oil level dipstick guide tube (
1) & how to replace the E39 I6 oil level sensor (
1) (
2) & what torque to use (
1) & what to do if the oil level sensor sends a signal to blow fuse 15 causing the car to not start (
1) (
2) & how to test, clean, & redesign the original BMW dipstick guide tube to prevent CCV vent clogs (
1)
- How to wire an aftermarket radio audio amplifier (
1)
- How to remove and replace the four BMW E39 ABS related WSS wheel speed sensors (
1)
- How best to integrate an Android cellphone or iPhone smart phone into your E39 (
1)
- How to remove the E39 business CD radio MID (
1) and adding the BMW AUX smart phone connection (
1) & DICE Silverline radio-mount instructions (
1) (
2) (
3) & how to remove just the MID (
1) (
2) (
3) & how not to remove the MID (
1) (
2) by stripping the torx twist screw.
- How to locate, access, and replace the CKP crank position sensor in the I6 (
1) and the crankshaft pulse generator in the V8 (
1)
- How to diagnose and replace a BMW E39 front driver side door window regulator (
1) and how to remove a BMW E39 front passenger side door window regulator (
1) (
2) & the unintuitive trick to effortlessly loosen and tighten the astronomical cable tension without damaging the front door window regulator (
1) & how to rebuild and restring your current E39 front door window regulator (
1) & scores of pictures showing how NOT to remove & repair your front door window regulators (
1) & what is the empty two-wire connector in the front driver side door used for anyway (
1) (
2)
- Where to buy wiper blade refills (
1) & a DIY for replacing your windshield wiper blades (
1) & how to replace the wiper arm (
1) (
2) & troubleshooting or replacing the wiper motor (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
6) (
7) or wiper switch (
1) or wiper relay (
1) & how to replace the wind shield rain sensor (
1) (
2) & retrofitting an aftermarket rain sensor (
1) (
2) (
3) & how to remove Rain-X water wiper streaks & spots on windshield glass (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
6) (
7)
- Complete DIY for how to test a BMW battery & alternator (
1) & a diagnostic procedure to test for overnight parasitic battery drain (
1) & how to find all the fuses (
1) & how to choose a good aftermarket battery (
1) and a simple battery replacement DIY (
1) & where to find the battery explosive charge emergency quick disconnect (
1) (
2)
- The Gasoline
FAQ & top-tier gas stations (
1) & what gasoline to use (
1) & all about ethanol in gasoline (
1) (
2) & what is the true cost differential between 87 & 91 octane AKI (
1) & how large is the fuel tank and reserve in the E39 (
1) & how much gas should be left to cool the fuel pump (
1) & how to siphon the fuel out of the tank (
1) & does spilled gasoline go into the charcoal canister (
1) & all about those Techron additives (
1) & all about Bell Performance Mix-I-Go (
1)
- What gasoline mileage should an E39 really get (
0) (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
6) (
7) & what is a realistically achievable mpg calculation accuracy (
1) (
2) & worsening E39 miles per gallon diagnostics (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
6) (
7) (
8) (
9) (
10) (
11) (
12) (
13) (
14) (
15) (
16) (
17) (
18) (
19) (
20) (
21) (
22) (
23) (
24) (
25) (
26) (
27) (
28) (
29) (
30) (
31) (
32) (
33) (
34) (
35) & even some E39 great fuel economy stories (
1) (
2) (
3)
- How does the E39 fuel injection work (
1) & what are the most often recommended fuel pump & fuel filter brands (
1) (
2) & a DIY for replacing the fuel filter (
0) (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
6) & a quick test for fuel pump operation (
1) (
2) and a DIY for replacing the fuel pump (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) & how to replace and service your BMW E39 fuel injectors (
1) & details on replacing the 7.52X3.52mm and 9.2X2.8mm fuel injector o-rings (
1) & the location of the K96 fuel pump relay (
1) & where is the fuel system pressure test Schrader valve for the I6 (
1) & where is the fuel pressure test point for the V8 (
1) (
2) (
3) & where is the location of the fuel pump relay K96 (
1) & cleaning (
1) (
2) & replacing the fuel sensor (
1) & resolving blown fuses due to a stuck fuel filler door solenoid (
1) & how to replace the gas cap tether (
1) & a reputed fuel filler leak into the trunk (
1) & the P0455 diagnostic trouble code when the gas cap is missing (
1) & what is the cost differential between 87 & 91 octane AKI (
1) & what gasoline mileage should an E39 get (
0) (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
6) (
7) & the truth about mpg calculation accuracy (
1) (
2) & E39 great mpg stories (
1) (
2) (
3) & E39 awful fuel mileage issues (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
6) (
7) (
8) (
9) (
10) (
11) (
12) (
13) (
14) (
15) (
16) (
17) (
18) (
19) (
20) (
21) (
22) (
23) (
24) (
25) (
26) (
27) (
28) (
29) (
30).
- How to test compression on a BMW E39 V8 engine (
1) and on the I6 engine (
1)
- How to diagnose and replace the TPS throttle position sensor (
1)
- How to identify a heated steering wheel (
1) & how to retrofit to a 3-spoke M-Sport steering wheel (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) & heated steering wheel mods (
1) & restoring the life of an old steering wheel (
1) (
2) & where to buy the BMW steering wheel roundel (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5).
- How to remove & replace a catalytic converter (
1) & how to fix rattling cat shields (
1) & BMW P0420 codes related to cats (
1) (
2) (
3) & cat autopsy photos (
1) & what kills cats (
1) & an EPA fact sheet on catalytic converter warranties (
1)
- Signs of a failing ignition switch (
1) (
2) or ring antenna (
1) & the BMW TIS for when the ignition switch spins but does not engage (
1) & rebuilding a failed ignition switch (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
6) (
7) (
8) (
9) (
10) & what to do if your steering wheel & key cylinder locks in place (
1) (
2) & the BMW training on the EWS alarm drive away protection system (
pdf) & erasing old keys from the locking control module (
1)
- How to diagnose the BMW amber ABS BRAKE DSC/ASC trifecta or bifecta (
1) & what are all known options when your ABS control module is bad (
1) & Quick99Si's explanation of why the 10-minute wheel speed sensor diode-action quick test doesn't always work, especially on brand new non-OEM wheel speed sensors (
1) (
2) & explanations by 540iman as to why the fancy diagnostic tools very often (extremely often, like almost all the time) fail to properly diagnose the trifecta or bifecta (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
6) & where to get the fancy schmancy diagnostic tools for free once you're aware of these limitations (
1) & an ABS BRAKE DSC trifecta brake pressure sensor diagnostic DIY (
1) & how to test and replace the steering angle sensor (
1)
- What do you keep in your trunk for winter emergencies (
1) & for all-weather emergencies (
1) & pictures of complete rear tool kit contents (
cn90) (
3-series) & the BMW Rescue Manual for Emergency Services (
1)
- How not to (JB Weld) fix a cracked radiator or other cooling system overhaul leaks (
1) (
2)
- How to jump start your E39 & where is the proper place to hook jumpstarting cables (
1) (
2)
- Where is the FSU located on European UK spec right hand drive (RHD) vehicles (
1) (
2) (
3)
- How to remove the two kidney grills (mirror trick?) when you can't open your stuck hood on your BMW E39 (
1)
- Information about installing a HHO hydrogen generator fuel saving kit in the BMW E39 (
1)
- What is the location of the engine drain plug and proper procedure to drain the M54 coolant (
1) (
2) & draining the M52 engine cooling system (
1)
- One user's attempt at locating and snapping a picture of every single fuse & relay in the BMW E39 (
1) & the most often recommended method to diagnose overnight parasitic battery current drain including the FSU (
1)
- One users method of installing 12v and USB cigarette lighter power adapters for smart phones and cell phones in 2013 (
1) & how people add a handsfree bluetooth cellphone or smartphone in 2013 (
1) (
2) & how some install an iPad (
1) or an Android tablet (
1)
- How much does personality type play a role in how people approach an unexpected BMW repair (
1)
- How to modify the cooling system expansion tank 2 bar cap to 1.2 bar to vent at a lower pressure (
1)
- What to check if your cluster indicates a rear brake lamp out (
1) & how to remove a melted center brake light (
1)
- Where to get coupon codes for buying parts at local suppliers (
1)
- Motor mounts and transmission mounts (aka holders) DIYs for the BMW E39 I6 (
0) (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) & engine mounts or the V8 (
0) (
1) (
2) (
3).
- What is that brown discoloration color of my heated side view mirrors (
1)
- What does a blinking SES light mean and is it safe to drive the car with the CEL flashing (
1)
- How to build a test jig for fsu parasitic battery drain and HVAC anomaly diagnostics (
1)
- What stuff (parts, fluids, gaskets, o-rings, filters, scanners, tools, etc.) should we stock in our garage for eventual use (
1) & how long will these stocked rubber parts last stored in your garage (
1)
- What brand is the OEM original equipment manufacturer for your BMW parts (
1) & what parts & supplies are best to buy OEM, OES, or OE (
1)
- What size is the exhaust pipe cutout (
1)
- Why are all four windows rolled down when I go outside to my BMW (
1) (
2) (
3)
- The main causes front-end clunk while driving (
1) & clunking while braking (
1) & the generic causes of vehicle
vibration while highway driving (
0) (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) & while highway braking (
1) (
2) (
3) & why it's not rotor "warp" (
1) & severe ABS shuddering while slow speed braking on bumps (
1) & how fluid-filled thrust arm bushings crack and tear causing the BMW to vibrate at speed (
0) (
1) (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
6) (
7) (
8) & a comprehensive
TireRack vehicle vibration diagnosis chart (
1) (
jpg) with wheel match mounting hints (
1) & how a worn drive shaft, flex disc, center bearing, or "giunti Boschi", aka giubo (it's not spelled guibo although it sounds like it is to some) can cause the vehicle to vibrate (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) & how to repair the rear driveshaft seal by the differential (
1) & how to repair the inner constant velocity (CV) half-drive shaft (
1).
- How to replace the old-style BMW square key battery (
1) (
2) & how to replace the rubber key pads in the square keys (
1) (
2) & what the red LED indicates on the old square key (
1) & what can go wrong with a key and where to send it for repair (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) & what battery to use in the new style 2000+ BMW E39, E46, E53, E85, etc. diamond key (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
6) (
7) & youtube videos of diamond key repairs (
1) (
2) (
3) & a square key to diamond key retrofit and transponder swap (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) & diamond key to square key retrofit questions (
1) & how to recharge your key out of your BMW and how long that key will last in the drawer before it needs that off-the-car recharging (
1) & the details on swapping the BMW diamond key transponder (
1) & the proper diamond key initializing or programming sequence (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
6) & what to do if your only key is locked inside your bimmer (
1) & a description of the various types of BMW Remote, Illuminated, Spare/Wallet, & Valet/Service keys (
1) (
2) & a list of diamond key EWS, FZV, & DWA functions (
1) (
2) & all about the 10-key limit to programming your own keys at home (
1) & a description of the ignition key ISN (individual serial number) ten-second rule (
1) & what to do if you lost your only diamond key (
1) or what to do if your BMW key was stolen (
1)
- How to tell whether you have the high or low on board computer cluster (
1) & a video showing how to unlock the low OBC (
1) or the high OBC cluster for diagnostics (
1) (
2) and quickie telephone verbal instructions for unlocking the high instrument cluster on the E39 (
1) & how to change the OBC MID IHKA KTMP temperature from degrees Celcius to Fahrenheit (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
6) (
7) (
8) & how to retrofit an E39 from the low obc to the high obc (
pdf)
- BMW E39 rear window regulator replacement DIY (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
6) & McGyver fixes on the road (
1) (
2) & rear window regulator repair kits (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) & what brand rear window regulators should I get (
1) & where to get salvaged parts (
1) & how to remove the rear window (
1) (
2) & how to adjust the windows after the repair (
1) (
2) (
3) & how to temporarily keep the window up (
1) & how to rewind the transmission case windup spool (
1) (
2) & how to slip the cable wires back onto the pulleys (
1) (
2) (
3) & how to replace just the rollers (
1) (
2)
- One user's effort to diagnose, rebuild, and replace a BMW E39 front driver side door window regulator (
1) and how to remove a BMW E39 front passenger side door window regulator (
1) (
2) & the unintuitive trick to effortlessly loosen and tighten the astronomical cable tension without damaging the front door window regulator (
1) & how to rebuild and restring your current E39 front door window regulator (
1) & scores of pictures showing how NOT to remove & repair your front door window regulators (
1) & how to replace just the rollers (
1) (
2)
- How to maintain (
1) and repair your hood release bowden cable (
1) (
2) (
3) & how to replace the hood cable the easy way (
1) & how to open the hood when the hood cable snaps (
1) (
2) & how to open the hood manually when you have a dead 12v car battery (
1) [or trunk (
1) (
2)] & how to make your own hood release tool when the cable breaks and the hood won't open (
1)
- What is your opinion on buying a BMW with a salvage title (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4)
- One user's convoluted quest to find & fix persistent intermittent misfire set of lean condition vacuum leaks P0313 P0300 P1353 P1083 P1085 P1351 P0171 P0174 (
1)
- Heated seat fire burn on the BMW E39 (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
6) (
7) (
8) & how to diagnose and fix broken wires in heated seats (
1) (
2) & a front heated seat retrofit DIY (
1) (
2) & how to add rear heated seats (
1)
- What does an outside temperature chime and a triple beep beep beep memo clock monitor mean in the BMW E39 (
1)
- Throttle pedal position TPS potentiometer autopsy photos (
1)
- What triggers the E39 tamperdot and how the VIN and mileage and service interval are associated with the cluster red tamper dot (
1)
- How to open the BMW E39 white e-box under the passenger side cabin air filter ebox (
1)
- How to remove water in the headlights or headlight condensation on the lens (
1)
- How to gracefully remove the upper & lower radiator hose (
1) and how not to remove the M54 coolant temperature sensor (
1)
- Locating and replacing the additional 1996-98 M52 coolant hoses (
1)
- Outside ambient temperature sensor reads -40° on the cluster (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) & how to calibrate the ambient temp sensor (
1) & how to change OBC MID IHKA KTMP temperature from degrees Celcius to Fahrenheit (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
6) (
7)
- BMW 10-character vehicle defect code lookup tool for dealer service records (
1) & how to better understand your 17-character BMW VIN (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
6) and online BMW VIN decoders (
0) (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) & what is the definitive list of electronic computer modules that need VIN recoding once replaced (
1)
- How to remove and replace the windshield (
1) & how to align the windscreen based on the BMW TIS (
1) & how to replace crumbling windshield gasket trim cover molding (
1) (
2) to prevent wind noise (
1) & how to install or tighten a loose rear view mirror on the glass (
1) (
2) & how to replace rain sensors (
1) (
2) (
3) & what is double glazing (
1) & window glass cleaner fluids & cloths (
1) & how to remove Rain-X water wiper streaks & spots on windshield & rearview mirror glass (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
6) (
7)
----- repairs -----
Behr cooling system leaking
Plastic DISA valve breaking & destroying the engine
Cluster pixel tape lifting
MID pixel tape lifting
Hella PBT headlight adjusters breaking
Power steering cap &
hose leaking
Trunk wiring loom fraying
CCV clogging
Bosch ABS control module frying
Cupholders breaking
I6 VANOS seals deteriorating
V8 valley pan gaskets leaking
GKR/BMW/Valeo FSU/FSR dying
Thrust arm bushings leaking
Ambient temperature sensor breaking
Window regulators breaking
Vapor barrier adhesive leaking
Jack pads falling off
Windshield cover molding crumbling
Driver's seat control switch breaking
Rear center brakelight socket melting
Seat cables fall out causing seat twist
Windshield washer tanks & pumps leaking
BMW roundel paint chipping
Vent trim corner cracking &
wood trim varnish cracking
----- maintenance -----
150K mile maintenance checklist &
parts to periodically clean
Check and replace all fluids
Common engine misfires diagnosed &
cold start misfires identified
The most recommended brake pads and rotors purchased &
installed
Battery tested &
the most often recommended battery &
installation
Spark plugs bought &
replaced
Check &
align &
mount and balance wheels
O-rings &
gaskets &
bulbs &
vacuum hoses &
fuses &
wiper blade inserts &
belts &
bearings &
oil filters &
cabin air filters &
engine air filters to stock
----- tools -----
Common tools needed for the E39 &
an obdii DTC scanner &
an SRS reset tool &
accurate measurement tools &
specialty cooling system tools
Parts & labour rates:
- Supplier prices lookup comparison engine (1) & BMW salvage (junkyard) parts lookup engine (1) & BMWfans search by part number (1) & Realoem nominal prices by part number (1) & EACTuning actual prices by part number (1) & BMW of South Atlanta actual prices by part number (1) & Maxmillian BMW dealer prices by part number (1) & the most often recommended parts suppliers (1) & what BMW E39 parts & supplies are best to buy OEM (1) & joining BMWCCA to lower parts costs (1) (2) & which BMW dealers match prices (1) & in situ pictures of common parts of the M54 engine (1) & what other tandem parts to buy while you're there (1)
- Finding a reputable BMW indy in your area (1) (2) & the consumers' checkbook method of finding a good mechanic (1) & repairpal labor/job/shop rates by zip code (1) & other things to consider replacing while you're already there (1)
- Making sense of the most often recommended BMW diagnostic tools & cable interfaces (1) & BMW factory & dealer programming, coding, and diagnostic software such as INPA, EDIABAS, NCS Expert, DIS, EasyDIS, Progman (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) & related BMW diagnostic-tool forums (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
- Where can one obtain the BMW KSD for flat rate unit (FRU) labor pricing (1) & the BMW TIS for technical service bulletins (1) (2) & an on-line WDS (1) & a text-searchable PDF Bentley E39 repair manual, volume I (1) (2) & the best price on paper Bentleys (1) & the Bentley Publishers Online Technical Library (1) & if you can no longer find the TIS, here's why (1)
- What to tell those who haven't yet bonded with their E39 who feel they don't have time, money, expertise, or tools to DIY & why the tools are free when they do so (1)
- Glovebox printout of the dozen lists and procedures and specifications to print for emergency use (1) and how to save $ money to qualify for free shipping on UPS/DHL/USPS/FedEx by stocking O-rings & gaskets & bulbs & vacuum hoses & fuses & wiper blade inserts & belts & bearings & oil filters & cabin air filters & engine air filters & fluids in your garage whenever ordering from the recommended parts suppliers.
......
- How to locate all the cooling system hoses in the BMW E39 (
1) (
2) (
3)
- Where to find the BMW TIS for technical service bulletins (
1) (
2) & if you can no longer find the TIS, here's why (
1) & where to obtain the BMW KSD for flat rate unit (FRU) labor pricing (
1) & an on-line WDS (
1) & a text-searchable PDF Bentley E39 repair manual, volume
I (
1) (
2) & the best price on paper Bentleys (
1) & the Bentley Publishers Online Technical Library (
1)
- Ideas for strapping emergency kits into the trunk indents above the battery and amplifier (
1)
- Where to find a good deal on LL01 Mobil1 0W40 (
1) & what is the difference with Mobil 1 10W40 (
1) high mileage oil (
1)
- How to determine the proper replacement alternator brand and amperage (Valeo, Bosch, 90A, 120Amps, or 140 amps) for your E39 (
1)
- Survey of all available brands and prices and suppliers for front window regulators (
1)
- How to replace the timing chain tensioner and rail guide on the I6 (
1) & on the M62 (
1) & on the M62TU (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5)
- What size is the exhaust pipe cutout (
1) & building a faux quad exhaust (
1)
- DIY for changing the I6 manual transmission clutch (
1) or the V8 clutch (1) or a BMW M5 clutch DIY (
1) & how long does the OEM LUK BMW dual-mass flywheel last (
1) & a CDV delete by removing or modifying the manual transmission clutch delay valve (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) & brake & clutch hydraulic fluid (
1)
- How does the BMW E39 fuel trim behave at high elevation (
1) (
2) (
3) & where is the BMW E39 altitude pressure sensor (APS) (
1)
- What parts to buy for a complete engine overhaul (
1)
- How to DIY your BMW E39 I6 tie rods (
1) (
2) and your V8 tie rods (
1) (
2) (
3)
- How not to clean your MAF mass airflow sensor (
1) (
2)
- How does the E39 fuel injection FI system work (
1) & the location of the K96 FPR fuel pump relay (
1) & the location of the fuel system pressure test Schrader valve for the I6 (
1) and V8 (
1) (
2) (
3) & a quick test for fuel pump operation (
1) (
2) & what are the most often recommended fuel pump & fuel filter brands (
1) (
2) & a DIY for replacing the fuel filter (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
6) (
7) & a DIY for replacing the fuel pump (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) & how to service your BMW E39 fuel injectors (
1) & how to replace the 7.52X3.52mm and 9.2X2.8mm fuel injector o-rings (
1) & cleaning the fuel gauge sensor (
1) (
2) & replacing the fuel sensor (
1) & resolving blown fuses due to a stuck fuel filler door solenoid (
1)
- Fuel injection LDP leak detection pump DIY (
1) & a fuel system charcoal canister DIY (
1) & where is the fuel tank breather valve (
1)
..... 59
Here is a good set of PDFs for working on the BMW E39 from RDL (
1)
- Glovebox printouts for your E39: fluids (
1) & bulbs (
2) & cabin air filters (
3) & oil service interval reset (
1) & cluster unlocking (
1)
- One user's TFP TRANS FAILSAFE PROG automatic transmission TPF experience stuck in limp mode (
1) & how others tested & resolved transmission "Trans Failsafe Program", aka "Limp Mode" (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
6) (
7) (
8) (
9) (
10) (
11) (
12) (
13) (
14) (
15) (
16) (
17) (
18)
- How to troubleshoot a bad FSU final stage unit (
1) and how to build a test jig for your FSR final stage resistor (
1) & how to autopsy or repair solder cracks in your blower motor resistor (
1) & how to replace your HVAC blower resistor (
1) (
E46) & what FSU is the right one to buy (
1)
- What bimmers have a rear FSU (
1) & where to find the rear FSR in the E39 (
1)
- Oil temperature sensor location and retrofit for oiltmp reading on the cluster (
1)
- How to retrofit an E39 ccd reverse backup bumper or license plate camera (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
6) (
7) & user questions on sourcing an E39 rear camera (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
6) (
7)
- How NOT to remove a brake pad wear sensor (
1)
- How to non destructively remove a broken radiator nipple (
1)
- What is the generic size of the power steering reservoir cap o-ring (
1)
- How to clean the idle control valve ICV in the E39 V8 (
1) & I6 (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4)
- What to do when you have low oil pressure (
1) & the difference between a red oil light versus yellow oil light (
1) & how to diagnose oil consumption & oil pressure problems (
1)
- One users quest to diagnose uneven tire wear on the inside edge due to excessive and uneven alignment camber & toe (
1) (
2) and tire match mounting (
1) (
2) & how one user selects tires (
1)
- How to remove just the expansion tank to repair a leak during your cooling system overhaul (
1)
- Survey of all available brands and prices and suppliers for front window regulators (
1) (
2)
- How to identify and replace all E39 brake hoses (
1) (
2) & brake pipes (
1) (
2)
- How to maintain the secondary air system (
1) (
2) (
3) & how to troubleshoot the SAS (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) & how to do an SAS delete (
1) & how to replace the (SAP) secondary air pump (
1) & an SAP valve group buy (
1)
- DIY for replacing the I6 528i head gasket (
1) and the I6 M54 head gasket (
1) (
2) & replacing the V8 M62TU head gasket (
1) & a spreadsheet for head gasket repair DIY parts (
1)
- Published test of BMW E39 brake braking stopping distance (
1)
- How to diagnose & repair an inoperative E39 cigarette lighter socket (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
6) (
7) (
8) & how to make your cigarette socket a switched circuit (
1) (
2) & a BMW Glovebox Flashlight Cigarette Lighter Power Adapter (
1) (
2) (
3) & how to install the Valentine or Escort radar detector (
1) (
2) & one users method of installing 12v and USB cigarette lighter power adapters for smart phones and cell phones in 2013 (
1) & how people add a handsfree bluetooth cellphone or smartphone in 2013 (
1) (
2) & how some install an iPad (
1) or an Android tablet (
1)
- How not to remove your fan shroud (
broken shroud plastic)
- How to repair your frayed trunk wiring loom (
1) & an easy fix for your trunk latch (
1) (
2) & a trunk lock actuator DIY (
1) & how to replace your trunk shock absorber struts (
1) or your E39 touring tailgate damper (
1) & how to repair a broken trunk boot lock spring (
1) & proper identification & location of relays in the trunk compartment & location of the fuel pump relay K96 (
1) & how to open the hood (
1) or boot manually when you have a dead 12v car battery (
1) (
2) & how to unlock the older E39 if the key is locked inside the trunk (
1) (
2)
- Complete DIY for how to test a BMW battery & alternator (
1) & how to determine exactly what alternator you have (
1) & how to determine the proper replacement alternator brand and amperage [Valeo, Bosch, 90A, 120Amps, or 140 amps] (
1) & how to tell from the part number if a replacement alternator is actually rebuilt "by" Bosch (
1) & one users' example of total electrical failure (AAA towed away) alternator repair (
1) [Read
post #66 &
post #107 & especially
post #146] & a DIY for replacing the E39 I6 alternator (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) or E39 V8 alternator (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) & why you want to clean out the air-cooled alternator air duct & cooling vents (
1) (
2) (
1) (
2) & does an ATF leak from power steering hoses onto the alternator cause the bearings to fail (
1) & why rebuilding an alternator is preferable to replacing (
1) & cn90 DIYs for rebuilding a 1998 air-cooled BMW Bosch alternator (
1) (
2) or his VW Bosch alternator (
1) & cdawg246's quest for materials for a Bosch water cooled alternator rebuild (
1) & Aioros' 1999
Valeo Alternator rebuild DIY (
1) and his quest for materials (
1) & Cn90's explanation of where to get hard-to-get alternator rebuild parts (
1) & a DIY for replacing the brushes in an (Audi)
Valeo alternator (
1) & a Bosch alternator bearing replacement from a 1997 MB S600 (
1) & from a Range Rover (
1) &, if it's not the alternator, a diagnostic procedure to test for overnight parasitic battery drain (
1) & how to find all the fuses (
1) & how to choose a good aftermarket battery (
1) and a simple battery replacement DIY (
1) & where to find the battery explosive charge emergency quick disconnect (
1) (
2)
- Glovebox printouts for emergency use (
1) and how to save $ money to qualify for free shipping on UPS/DHL/USPS/FedEx by stocking
O-rings &
gaskets &
bulbs &
vacuum hoses &
fuses &
wiper blade inserts &
belts &
bearings &
oil filters &
cabin air filters &
engine air filters &
fluids in your garage whenever ordering from the
recommended parts suppliers.
.... 60
- One user's attempt to locate, describe, and photograph all fuses and relays in the BMW E39 with a picture of every fuse & relay (
1)
- How to diagnose PDC module issues (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
pdf) & how to turn off the PDC beep or lower the PDC sound volume (
1) & how to replace a PDC module (
1) & how to retrofit a new PDC bumper installation (
1) (
2) (
3) & park distance control wiring information (
1)
- BMW wheel specs (
1) (
2) & BMW & replica rim styles (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) & the difference between cast vs forged rims (
1) & how to choose the right size wheel spacers (
1) (
2) & where to go when you bend or otherwise damage your wheels (
1) & wheel terminology (
1) & Tire circumference, diameter, offset, & clearance calculators (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5)
- What's the true accuracy of the various methods of mpg calculation (
1) (
2) & what gasoline mileage should an E39 really get (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
6) (
7) & what are some great e39 fuel efficiency stories (
1) (
2) (
3) & what are the awful e39 fuel mileage complaints and miles per gallon diagnostic tests (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
6) (
7) (
8) (
9) (
10) (
11) (
12) (
13) (
14) (
15) (
16) (
17) (
18) (
19) (
20) (
21) (
22) (
23) (
24) (
25) (
26) (
27) (
28) (
29) (
30) (
31) (
32) (
33)
- How to understand the BMW E39 EWS alarm drive-away protection system (
1) (
2) (
pdf) & troubleshooting the hood switch, battery, siren, and interior motion sensor (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) & troubleshooting the fuel filler door switch (
1) & replacing the siren (
1) or disabling/enabling the unlock chirp (
1) (
2) (
3) & how to maintain (
1) and repair your hood release bowden cable (
1) (
2) (
3)
- How to test & fix A-pillar moonroof or sunroof water leaks causing wet front carpet (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5)
- Helicoils (
1) vs Timeserts (
1) for stripped oilpan (
1) & spark plug (
1) & head gasket thread repair (
1) & expoxy for other stripped threads (
1) & Metric/SAE bolt conversion factors (
1)
- One user's effort to diagnose, rebuild, and replace a BMW E39 front driver side door window regulator (
1) and how to remove a BMW E39 front passenger side door window regulator (
1) (
2) & the unintuitive trick to effortlessly loosen and tighten the astronomical cable tension without damaging the front door window regulator (
1) & how to rebuild and restring your current E39 front door window regulator (
1) & scores of pictures showing how NOT to remove & repair your front door window regulators (
1) & how to replace just the rollers (
1) (
2) & a survey of all available brands and prices and suppliers for front window regulators (
1) (
2) & how to replace just the plastic pulleys with machined stainless steel rollers (
1) & things not mentioned in most window regulator DIYs (
1) & BMW E39 rear window regulator replacement DIY (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
6) & McGyver fixes on the road (
1) (
2) & rear window regulator repair kits (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) & what brand rear window regulators should I get (
1) & where to get salvaged parts (
1) & how to remove the rear window (
1) (
2) & how to adjust the windows after the repair (
1) (
2) (
3) & how to temporarily keep the window up (
1) & how to rewind the transmission case windup spool (
1) (
2) & how to slip the cable wires back onto the pulleys (
1) (
2) (
3) & how to replace just the rollers (
1) (
2)
- How to remove and replace the
Radio
Data broadcast
System RDS business radio (
1) (
2)
- How reupholster or repair or re-foam or dye worn leather or cloth BMW seats (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
6) (
7) (
8) (
9) (
10) (
11) (
12) (
13) (
14) & how to fix the seat pocket panels (
1) & recommended suppliers for professional seat repair (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
6) (
7) (
8) (
9)
- How to diagnose broken wires in heated seats (
1) (
2) & how to fix heated seats (
1) & how to do a front (
1) & rear (
1) heated seat retrofit & how to retrofit active comfort seats into the E39 (
1) or E38 (
1) & splicing wiring for modding a 99+ sports seat into a 95-98 BMW (
1) & a BMW E39 rear folding seatback/folding seats retrofit DIY (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) & seat heater fire burning on the BMW E39 (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
6) (
7) (
8)
- What are your options if you buy an E39 which turns out to have a bent frame when you run an alignment (
1)
- What is the top speed governor speed limit of the various BMW E39 models (
1)
- What anomalies occur when you remove your ABS control module to send it out to the recommended rebuilders for repair (
1)
- How to remove and replace the incandescent bulbs and LEDs in the instrument cluster (
1)
- How to enable or disable autodoorlocking automatic door locking autolocking autodoorlocks (
1)
- Automatic to 5-speed manual transmission conversion retrofit (
1) & steptronic trans conversion (
1) & your first subsequent tranny modifications (
1) (
2) (
3)
To follow in others' footsteps and pick up where they left off, simply type /KEYWORD F3 in
the VERY best of E39 Links, and these links, among others, will result:
If the answer isn't in that thread, please add it to the thread once you find out, so that others start where you left off and improve the tribal knowledge from there.
... 61
- How to physically test & repair the Bosch ABS control module (
1) & how to diagnose the BMW amber ABS BRAKE DSC/ASC trifecta or bifecta (
1) & what are all known options when your ABS control module is bad (
1) & why you want to only buy oem wheel speed sensors (
1) & how to remove and replace the four BMW E39 ABS related WSS wheel speed sensors (
1) & which wss innervates the speedometer (
1) & explanations by 540iman as to why the fancy diagnostic tools always fail to properly diagnose the trifecta or bifecta (
1) & where to get the fancy schmancy diagnostic tools for free once you're aware of their limitations (
1) & why it's probably not the ABS hydraulic pump failing (
1) & how to properly test the BPS brake pressure sensor (
1) & how to properly test and replace the steering angle sensor (
1) & Quick99Si's explanation of why the 10-minute wheel speed sensor diode-action quick test doesn't always work, especially on non-OEM wheel speed sensors (
1) & what's this about the P0500 setting the SES (
1) & why you want to wait a week before getting a smog test after removing your ABS control module (
1) &, if you really want to try, how to attempt to disable the ABS/DSC but keep the speedometer and mpg cluster readouts (
1)
- How to optimally set up the BMW E39 IHKA air conditioning system (
1) & how to set the fan blower speed to preserve your FSU (
1) & an explanation of the three heating cooling blue dots (
1) & how to eliminate the a/c musty gym sock odor (
1) & how to remove the IHKA heater air conditioning control panel to clean the circuit board (
1) & how to check the HVAC (IHKA) sampling fan (
1) & how to remove the trim and bracket holding the MID (
1) & how to remove (for a Hualigan) the E39 dashboard trim (
1) & how to diagnose lack of HVAC/IHKA heater core heat with cooling system (auxiliary pump) at idle (
1) & how to replace or repair the IHKA button (
1) & how to change OBC MID IHKA KTMP temperature from °C Celcius degree to °F Fahrenheit degrees (
1) & what is this thing (HVAC/IHKA solar sensor) in the middle of my dashboard by the windshield (
1) & how to replace the activated charcoal cabin air filter (
1) & what cabin filter to buy (
1) & cn90's inexpensive cabin filter retrofit (
1) & how to measure A C temperature (
1) & where to find your low pressure airconditioning recharge port (
1) & how to refill your A/C system for $20 (
1) & what refrigerant PAG oil to use (
1) & how to diagnose A/C compressor knocking and rattling sounds (
1)
- Summary of engine cranks but won't start threads due to unspecified gas air spark compression timing problems (
1)
- How to remove the external b-pillar and replace the front and rear door external b Pillar on the BMW E39 (
1)
- How to replace the universal joint driveshaft u-joint (aka Cardon Joint) between the front and rear driveshafts (
1)
- How to test a BMW battery & alternator (
1) & the most often recommended diagnostic procedure to test for overnight parasitic battery drain (
1) & one user's attempt to locate, describe, and photograph all fuses and relays in the BMW E39 with a picture of every fuse & relay (
1) & how to choose a good aftermarket battery (
1) and a simple battery replacement DIY (
1) & Cn90's explanation of where to get alternator rebuild parts (
1) & how to troubleshoot a bad FSU final stage unit (
1) and how to build a test jig for your FSR final stage resistor (
1) & how to repair solder cracks in your blower motor resistor (
1) & how to replace your HVAC blower motor control (
1) (
E46) & what FSU is the right one to buy based on user experiences (
1)
- What is that little blue plug near the transmission for the flywheel locking hole blue twist plug (
1)
- How long does it take a piezoelectric knock sensor to adjust the fuel trim based on the gasoline AKI octane rating of the fuel used (
1)
- How to remove the rear shelf, also known as the rear package shelf or rear parcel shelf in order to replace broken coil springs (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5)
- How to better understand your DME Digital Motor Electronics module (
1)
- Has my car ride height been lowered (
1)
- Do the brake pad sensors come with the pads or are they a separate item (
1)
- Drivers seat belt replacement DIY (
1)
- How do you measure physically deformed rotor distortion often incorrectly termed "warp" (
1) & where is the published brake disk/disc lateral runout rotor specification for the BMW E39 (
1)
- How to open and repair the LCM III module (
1)
- What's the true accuracy of the various methods of mpg calculation (
1) (
2) & what gasoline mileage should an E39 really get (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
6) (
7) & what are some great e39 fuel efficiency stories (
1) (
2) (
3) & what are the awful e39 fuel mileage complaints and miles per gallon diagnostic tests (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) (
6) (
7) (
8) (
9) (
10) (
11) (
12) (
13) (
14) (
15) (
16) (
17) (
18) (
19) (
20) (
21) (
22) (
23) (
24) (
25) (
26) (
27) (
28) (
29) (
30) (
31) (
32) (
33) (
34)
- The great thread of all BMW E39 OEM trim styles (
1) & how to remove interior cockpit trim (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5) & what do do about cracks in the wood panels (
1) & cracks in the corner of the plastic vents (
1) & painting trim (
1) or vinyl trim (
1)
- How to adjust a BMW E39 bonnet hood alignment adjustment (
1)
- Where to find the BST Battery Safety Terminal battery explosive charge emergency quick disconnect (
1)
- What to do when your expansion tank coolant level sensor float bobber stick is MIA missing in action (
1) & how to retrofit a coolant level sensor to an E39 that doesn't have it (
1)
- How to jack up the car and ensure that it's still level for changing atf transmission fluid (
1)
- Tools such as infrared thermometer (
1)
- What does the BMW roundel stand for and mean (
1) & how to replace the BMW E39 front hood roundel ornament decal logo badge emblem (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) & how the BMW E39 hood roundel differs from the trunk roundel (
1) & where to buy the BMW steering wheel roundel (
1) (
2) (
3) (
4) (
5)
- One users experience with a stuck steering wheel turn signal stalk repair (
1)
- Step-by-step printout to program the BMW E39 3-button homelink gdo (
1) & the homelink garage door opener programming user guide (
pdf) & how to retrofit a homelink remote control in your E39 headliner (
1)
Things NOT to do:
- How not to do a gravity feed oil change (
1)
- How not to do a vacuum extraction oil change (
1)
- How not to replace your battery (
1) (
2) (
3)
- How not to remove the mass air flow sensor (MAF) spring clip (
1)
- How not to remove the E39 MID (
1) (
2)
- How not to remove the nipple from the E39 radiator (
broken radiator nipple)
- How not to remove your fan shroud (
broken shroud plastic)
- How not to put your E39 fan clutch back on (
crooked fan clutch nut)
- How not to bleed your E39 cooling system (
1) (broken
bleeder screw)
- How not to replace your E39 thermostat (
thermostat loom misplaced)
- How not to remove your E39 expansion tank (
broken expansion tank nipple &
cn90 repair)
- How not to remove the large radiator hose connector spring clips (
1)
- How NOT to replace your M54 lower radiator hose coolant temperature sensor (
1)
- How not to repair your E39trunk wiring loom (
1)
- How not to install rain sensors on the windshield glass (
1)
- How not to replace the FSU (
1)
- How not to install rain sensors on windshield glass (
1)
- How not to replace your windshield wipers (
1)
- How not to replace your FSU/FSR (
1)
- How not to siphon gasoline out of your fuel tank (
1)
- How not to paint your engine covers (
1)
- How not to remove & repair your front door window regulators (
1)
- How not to remove a brake pad wear sensor (
1)
- How not to fill your expansion tank when you have a missing coolant level float bobber (
1)
- How not to repair your E39, by cn90 (
1)
- How not to post on Bimmerfest (
1) (
2)
etc.