Newb!!! QUESTIONS!!!

I just became a bmw owner. Found a nice clean 1993 325i for 2000 bucks. I have a few questions about a few minor things and one big problem.btw,check engine light has been on since it was purchased.

1. My rear taillight will not come on.ive replaced the bulbs and still nothing. I'm thinking it could be an electrical problem. "Brake light circuit" is what displays along with "tail light" or could it be the socket?

2. The second main this is the grinding noise when I stop.i checked the pads,they aren't worn down.im thinkin maybe struts or roters.

Congrats on the find. If you haven't yet, pick up a Bentley manual. The troubleshooting sections may help you diagnose the first problem.

The second problem could be your rotors and it could also be your wheel bearings. Does it sound like it's coming from a particular wheel? Are you getting any shaking in the steering wheel while braking?

For your tail lights check under the brake pedal. It has a lil button under the pedal an when you push the brakes it pushes the button. It's all black with a red circle on it. Might be the problem, sometimes have an issue with that also. Just realign it to stay there an you can pull the button out a lil so the pedal will hit it.

Wires, joints and earths in the boot is where the problem is IMO.

Okay , Bentley manual . Check! Ill check the button under the brake first thing tmrw.

Originally Posted by BMWFatherFigure

Wires, joints and earths in the boot is where the problem is IMO.

What are the earths in the boot? Is that ,the wires ,and the joints major fixes?

Earths are all over the car. Its how the electricity gets back to the battery (crudely speaking). If earths are bad globes are either dim or don't work.
Joints get oxide over time. Usually open them, spray with switch cleaner and connect and disconnect a few times to improve the contact. Also check for damage. Any problems PM me. All real easy 1 star skill level fix.

Okay thanx a lot. I do NOT work on cars , unfortunately, so ill be relaying this all to someone else. Earths are BMW specific or is it the same method in generally most cars? (In other words,will a mechanic not specializing in bmws suffice?) I have to take care of this ASAP. The dash lights ARE extremely dull ; I could barely see the miles. And no lights are no fun!

99% of cars use this system. Hope your guy is good.

Originally Posted by lowEYEguy420

Okay thanx a lot. I do NOT work on cars , unfortunately, so ill be relaying this all to someone else. Earths are BMW specific or is it the same method in generally most cars? (In other words,will a mechanic not specializing in bmws suffice?) I have to take care of this ASAP. The dash lights ARE extremely dull ; I could barely see the miles. And no lights are no fun!

earths = grounds

In a 12volt system( atleast newer than 65') the positive side of your battery goes to your elctronics while the negative side is grounded to the body of the vehicle.

Well my car radio actually just went out.the power light is in,but the player won't turn on fully. Could that be because the positive side is bad?

You are on the wrong sub-forum, you should be in the e36 section, not the e30 section.

Originally Posted by anstead610

You are on the wrong sub-forum, you should be in the e36 section, not the e30 section.

i was waiting for someone to chime in on that.

good to see your back anstead.

Okay someone told me to come here before . Thanx

Do you have a convertible?

lowEYE, is it a convertible? The '93 convertibles were still E30s.

No.4dr.

Then it's an E36 and you're in the wrong forum.

Maybe Mark will help you out and move it.