E30 Resource Thread

is there a vacuum that controls the MPG gauge? when the mpg is working my car runs fine. but when it's not my car tends to shake.

I am so glad I posted this here. I have a new computer and still have this info, great way to store this stuff.

would these same prob apply for the m10 engine?

http://manualspace.com/bmw-e30-3-ser...manual-etm.htm a must have

California Smog Check Assistance Program

If you meet certain requirements you can get up to $500 from the State of California to repair your emission control equipment:

http://www.autorepair.ca.gov/80_BARR...sist_FAQs.html

http://www.autorepair.ca.gov/80_BARR...ms/CAP_App.pdf

Greetings to all. I have a 1986 e30 that I bought about a year ago. The car is awesome but up until last week gave me starting issues. Since I bought it, it would start some times and then not start other times. Everyone told me it was the starter, even though the guy I bought it from said he put in a new starter 8 months prior to selling it to me. So I replaced the starter. Problem not solved. I then ran a bypass switch to the starter to be able to start it when the car decided not to start with the turn of the key. Then people told me it needed a new ignition switch. I was told it would cost around $ 500.00 to replace. I decided to drive it and use the bypass to jump start it for a while. It then occurred to me that the car might have an ignition switch relay. The problem was that I could not find it. I finally located it up under the dashboard on the drivers side. The relay switch cost me $25.00 at BMW and poof problem solved. Moral of the story. If you buy an E30 and have issues with the car starting, replace that relay first. It could save you some cash..... I hope this info helps. Cheers Yall........

Originally Posted by BosnianBeamers

I'm having problems adding it as an attachment to email (prob because of the size) but I will keep trying.

I also have an E30 elctrical diagram book but it is about 20 megs. I'll try to get that one to you guys too.

I would be interested in that electrical diagram book.

Here is a very cool link i found with a whole bunch of pdf's if you have not seen it before.
They are not all in english. http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=74128

Does anybody know where to locate an english pdf download of the e30 face lift sales brochure ? (doesn't have to be a specific year, any year would be cool)

When my Service Board batteries went out on my E30 and my tach took a poop, obviously I had to change the batteries. Heres a little something though- instead of putting the batteries back into the dash, I took the board to BAtteries PLus (who also had the direct replacement batteries...dont buy the ones off ebay for 30 when you can get em for 10!) and the I had the tech solder me up some wires to AA battery holders. Went over to ACE then, got some springs to fill the length gap. It works awesome, just make sure you tie the batteries down good or they'll go flying if you corner hard. You will have to do a little filing in the little space where the SI board is, and drill 2 little holes to get the wires through, but luckily theres space to do that comfortably. Wrapped the batteries up in electrical tape, wire tied the extra wire, and tucked it away neatly under my dash. Just thought I'd share...I did this all for 30 bucks maybe, and it still beats the one on ebay with the AA holders attatched to the board. Just thought I'd share...

Wanted to share my experience since I couldn't find a DIY. My lights were flickering and I lost power a few times on the highway (with all my cluster warning lights lit light a x-mas tree). Alternator voltage tested low (12v). Unfortunately, my alternator is a Valeo and the voltage regulator is semi-internal (part #10 in the diagram below) which is harder to replace than the Bosch voltage regulator. Having said that, the VR can be replaced in 30 minutes without removing the alternator.

Here are the steps I followed:

1) Disconnect battery
2) Remove airbox and AFM in one piece (2 nuts)
3) Disconnect two wires on back of alternator (2 nuts)
4) Remove plastic wire housing on back of alternator (2 more nuts)
5) Remove noise filter on the back cover of the alternator (1 nut)
6) Remove alternator back cover (4 bolts). This is tricky but can be done in place. You may need to unplug the harness that sits next to the alternator. Pivot the cover to get it past the tight area between the alternator and the engine.
7) Unbolt the old voltage regulator (2 bolts) and pull straight out.
8) Assembly is pretty much the reverse.
9) Reconnect battery, reset clock, enter radio code :alright



BTW, this is the VR I replaced. Pelican had it for $44.25, about the same as a Bosch replacement. As far as I can tell, the alternator and VR were original (165k miles). Not bad, so I just went for the OEM replacement.

if i remember correctly, i paid about $70 for a reman'd alternator. but hey, its nice to see people actually fixing alternators

Originally Posted by downhiller

if i remember correctly, i paid about $70 for a reman'd alternator. but hey, its nice to see people actually fixing alternators

Reman'd alternator is a minimum of $90 where I am and you hear horror stories about unreliable reman units. The remanufacturers use no-name chinese parts. I would rather go to a reputable shop down the road and have them remanufacture my own unit with brand name parts $100-150. Instead I installed a $44 OEM part and I'm back in business. But if you can show me where I can get a reman alternator fixed with brand name parts for $70, I'm in. YMMV.

Repaired Valeo/Bosch >> cheap reman alternator with questionable reliability

Originally Posted by Cruzer

Reman'd alternator is a minimum of $90 where I am and you hear horror stories about unreliable reman units. The remanufacturers use no-name chinese parts. I would rather go to a reputable shop down the road and have them remanufacture my own unit with brand name parts $100-150. Instead I installed a $44 OEM part and I'm back in business. But if you can show me where I can get a reman alternator fixed with brand name parts for $70, I'm in. YMMV.

Repaired Valeo/Bosch >> cheap reman alternator with questionable reliability

We have a place here called Electrical Motor Systems that sells reman alternators or new alternators and back both their products with a 3 year warranty, so hey, whats to lose? If anyone else had a store like that around their town/city, they should probably check that out.

^ i have a shop just like that i take all of my starters and alternators too... I am the primary reason they now service Bosch electronics LOL

don't know if this is the right place to post this but it says information relating to modification
here is an interesting site found http://www.awron.de/
It is a touch screen lcd unit for engine temps etc similar to the alpina vent gauge, i have never seen it before, sure someone's interested in it

Here are some general DIY's I've collected.

http://www.brianbernard.com/BMW%20DIY's/BMW_E30_DIY/

I usually keep a copy of any DIY's I come across just in case they are no longer available from the source website (has happened to me a bunch of times), so here they are.

Brian

BMW TIS Online Repair Manuals

http://tis.spaghetticoder.org/e30/

I realize this may already be covered, but... is there an idiot's guide to decoding
all of the model numbers (like what is the difference between a 318i and a 318is,
or a 325e, 325es, 325i, 325ic, 325c... I don't know if those even exist, I just
tried to WAG the numbers from the general pattern, assuming there's a pattern,
which I haven't decoded yet)?

I just bought a 1991 318i 5 speed 4 door, and have a lot to learn.

BTW, there is an old post in this thread thread with a link to a how to article on aftermarket
stereo installs... the link didn't work - is there a mirror of it anywhere else, or does someone
have it saved to hard drive to upload it?

I will read and search more carefully eventually, but I'm feeling really crummy
this afternoon and having a hard time concentrating (I don't even have enough
energy to be excited about buying a new car). At least I felt better this morning
when I went to look at cars (which is a long story).

Our contribution:

E30 how to page: http://garagistic.com/index.php?page=e30-how-to

Everything from the e30 v8 swap how to to the m5x engine swap wiring to little mods!

Will be placing this .PDF on an iPad to not lug around the actual book.

I am looking for a place to get my e30 rewired and for a reasonable price. Does anyone in the New York City/Long Island area have any suggestions??

On my 1990 325I convertible Please help

Originally Posted by upfornow

On my 1990 325I convertible Please help

http://garagistic.com/index.php?page...arrier-bushing

What is the black and yellow wire on the starter and what does it do?

Hello to all!

I am a new member and owner of 85 325e. Picked it up form a 2nd owner. I have been working on the car for about four months. Just finished the emergency and rear brakes, now onward to the front brakes. Just notice today it needed to be jump started after sitting for about two weeks. It would not idle on it's own? Any ideas where to start?
Michael

Just saw this linked on the NZ bimmersport.co.nz forum. Lot's of original sales brochures including English versions!
http://car-cm.jp/brochure/