Clock runs fast What did I do now?

Why can’t I be normal and have a normal car?
I have an 89 325i Convertible that I have been fixing up for some time now.

This problem just popped up and is quite funny and very confusing. The clock on the onboard computer runs way to fast. It changes time every 12 seconds. So every 12 seconds another minute passes.

One more issue is my check oil light is on (above the winshield light) but my levels are great.

History:
Last Thursday I went to San Fran and came back to a dead battery. So after a jump start, I am running again. Other than the jump start no changes or repairs.
So why would this be?
Recent things that I have done:
Replaced the batteries behind the dash.
Replaced oil pan gasket.
When the car is running the battery is charging at 13.5v
So any clues?????

Thanks
John

Originally Posted by dappleco

Why can’t I be normal and have a normal car?
I have an 89 325i Convertible that I have been fixing up for some time now.

This problem just popped up and is quite funny and very confusing. The clock on the onboard computer runs way to fast. It changes time every 12 seconds. So every 12 seconds another minute passes.

One more issue is my check oil light is on (above the winshield light) but my levels are great.

History:
Last Thursday I went to San Fran and came back to a dead battery. So after a jump start, I am running again. Other than the jump start no changes or repairs.
So why would this be?
Recent things that I have done:
Replaced the batteries behind the dash.
Replaced oil pan gasket.
When the car is running the battery is charging at 13.5v
So any clues?????

Thanks
John

if you mean the light above the rear view mirror, the oil level will be the sensor is gone. mine is on its way out at the moment.
i would say that you havent done the batteries right or something occured when you did this. not having any experience changing them however, i wouldnt know for sure.

Actually, you've just stumbled on another one of the E30 and E36's strange quirks. At the time of the development of the E36 (early to mid '80s), NASA thought that we would have a civilization on Mars by the late 90's. Since BMW AG has ties with NASA's development programs, they actually equipped some E30, E36 and E34 DMEs with an option to switch to Mars time without major programming needed.
Since Mars has a ~4.8 hour day, that is approximately 1/5 of Earth's 24 hour day, 12.5 minute day which means on Mars, a minute passes every 12 Earth seconds.
Anyway I'm getting off topic. I have no clue how you managed to switch the time values from Earth to Mars, but what you need to do is simply bring the car by the Dealer for reprogramming that they most likely will not charge you for.

Mars, you know I have been wanting to go on a road trip!

Mars...pffft...been there, done that...because of the time change, i got back the day after I left

I would unplug the onboard computer and plug it back in and see what happens, but you may have already tried that.

for the oil, get a new oil level sensor. I bought a used one for $30 or go the junkyard and try your luck.

Originally Posted by danielw05

Mars...pffft...been there, done that...because of the time change, i got back the day after I left

I would unplug the onboard computer and plug it back in and see what happens, but you may have already tried that.

for the oil, get a new oil level sensor. I bought a used one for $30 or go the junkyard and try your luck.

If the OP goes to the salvage yard, he might be able to get an OBC cheap. In Vegas, they cost under $15.

Originally Posted by danielw05

Mars...pffft...been there, done that...because of the time change, i got back the day after I left

I would unplug the onboard computer and plug it back in and see what happens, but you may have already tried that.

for the oil, get a new oil level sensor. I bought a used one for $30 or go the junkyard and try your luck.

I was really hoping this guy would go to the dealer and request that they take his car off of "Mars time"

i definatly read the mars thing and was like holy crap youve got to be kidding...
and i was right.. you were

Originally Posted by omg vtec

i definatly read the mars thing and was like holy crap youve got to be kidding...
And i was right.. You were

g >> t >> f >> o

not only are you a noob with vtec garbage .. but you posted on a post over 2 weeks old and had no info to add ..

the mars trip was a blast! just a bit warmer then southern california, but the sights were great. i will be posting photos real soon! my local BMW dealer assisted with the reentry and offered a tire rotation and oil change for a spare left nut.


ended up unhooking battery and unplugging dash battery for 24 hours everything reset and is okeydokey.

Originally Posted by dappleco

just a bit warmer then southern california

should be colder. you must have gone to venus by mistake

[QUOTE=dappleco;4547810]my local BMW dealer assisted with the reentry and offered a tire rotation and oil change for a spare left nut.
QUOTE]

wow you got one of those! i always wondered what a spare left nut would be like.

and glad it was something simple. electronics can play way too many games