[bmw325]

Just got my Bentley manual and am learning all sorts of cool trivia.

To reset the indicator:
-The car should be off
-hold down the left instrument button (the trip odometer reset)
-while holding the key, turn the ignition to position 1 (radio)
-you will see a test menu
-keep holding the button
-after maybe 10 seconds, the word "reset" will appear
-let go of the button and press again
-THe indicator is reset!

In reading about the indicator, I also learned that BMW changed the way the intervals are calculated for cars post 6/2000.
For cars buiilt after this date, it is calculated based solely on gallons of fuel consumed (for example, 601 gallons for 328i manual).

Cars built prior to this date take into account other factors such as engine temp, # of cold starts, etc. I don't know why BMW bothered to change and simplify this-- if they already had the electronics, why not just leave it alone?

If you haven't done so, I highly recommend buying the Bentley manual. Even if you never plan to work on your car, you'll appreciate it so much more and will know if your dealer is blowing smoke when you take it in for service.

One other interesting fact-- some of you may know this-- but the whole E46 dashboard including the center console sides is 1 piece! I believe this was done to lessen the chance of rattles. The downside is that if you ever damage or crack any part of the dashboard, the whole thing would need to be pulled and replaced.

Anyway, I'll continue to post interesting tidbits as I come across them.

 

[The HACK]

Are you sure it's 6/2000? I can do that on both of my cars and they're both produced prior to 6/2000. I believe the correct cut-off date is 9/99?

 

[bmw325]

Could be-- the Bentley manual states 6/2000

But hey, if you can do it, that's great. I'm also not sure if I believe what they say about the calculation for the service interval changing after 6/2000. I think its always been soley based on fuel consumed. They seem to imply in the manual that the older E46s had the lights-based maintenance system (like the one found on 5s and 7s). But I know this isn't true. Have you gotten your manual yet?

 

[JPinTO]

On my 2000, when I keep holding the odo button in the "test" mode, it simply returns me to a diagnostic mode with some numbers and stuff. I never get a "reset" mode.

Mine was a first production 2000 (7/16/99) delivery so I presume it's 6/99 build.

I did find a "test" easter egg as my other post shows.

 

[LilEccentricJ]

Re: You CAN reset service indicator light w/o a special tool on cars built after 6/2000

Anyway, I'll continue to post interesting tidbits as I come across them.

robg, we should start a "Bentley Manual for E46" thread for all to post things of interest that they may come across in the E46 manual, w/ page numbers for others who have the book. I have been reading mine like it's literature or something, lol and am far less intimidated to HACK (no pun ) at my car with it!

 

[bmw325]

lilE... Good Idea-- the first one of use to post the next tip/trick should do this...

There's just so many. One thing I bet people here would be interested in is the chart that shows you what all of the hidden diagnostic tests actually do. But there's just so much-- I've been reading it like a novel too. Crazy, eh?

 

[silroc]

cool info

but i dont see the value of resetting it while the car is still under warranty ? my mechanic did it when he changed the oil, and I was pissed at him ..... I could have gotten another free oil change soon if he didnt reset it

but thatks for the info - that manual sounds like such a great resource !!!!

 

[ashecnc]

lilE, what does your sig mean, changed to lk standards..?

 

[LilEccentricJ]

Re: lilE... Good Idea-- the first one of use to post the next tip/trick should do this...

There's just so many. One thing I bet people here would be interested in is the chart that shows you what all of the hidden diagnostic tests actually do. But there's just so much-- I've been reading it like a novel too. Crazy, eh?

We shall do the thread. One item I found most interesting and mind you, I'm not a mechanical engineer, was that the structure of the car was designed to bend at 26 Hertz and flex at 29 Hertz both of which are inaudible, now that takes some serious CAD system to take into account all the components that would thus be affected. Also, I would have thought the E46 to have more than 85% galvanized steel in the body… makes me wonder what panels/areas are not galvanized. Book page 400-4

And no, it's not crazy.. this is good reading!

 

[jeddclampette]

Re: Re: lilE... Good Idea-- the first one of use to post the next tip/trick should do this...

One item I found most interesting and mind you, I'm not a mechanical engineer, was that the structure of the car was designed to bend at 26 Hertz and flex at 29 Hertz both of which are inaudible, now that takes some serious CAD system to take into account all the components that would thus be affected.

I'm a mechanical engineering manager by profession and just thought it interesting reading on the specs of torsional stiffness. To put into proper context about CAD, it's not the CAD that generates the information on the material's stress/strain values. It is the analysis software after the CAD or concurrent with the CAD modeling, typically termed as Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) in the engineering sector. I don't know which CAE software BMW uses for its analysis simulation, and there are just as many to boggle the mind, but in the USA, the more popular brands are Pro Engineer Mechanica and a low grade competitor named Algor. I've used both, and although I favor the Mechanica, the Algor costing at 1/3 less, is not that bad either.

 

[jeddclampette]

Re: Re: You CAN reset service indicator light w/o a special tool on cars built after 6/2000

robg, we should start a "Bentley Manual for E46" thread for all to post things of interest that they may come across in the E46 manual, w/ page numbers for others who have the book.

If you don't have that Bentley's manual, and us e39 owners are still waiting for Bentley to get off their ass and go into print... and/or if the manual's instructions don't work, here's the old fashioned low tech way to do it.
:

Housed within the MoDiC plug (THe round 3" dia. diagnostic plug mounted to the fenderwell underneath the hood...not the rectangular plug for OBD-2 diagnostic located underneath the steering wheel) are a series of pins placed radially from the center. Locate the #7 pin connector. Get a #8 wire, or can use a common #18 ga wire and double up the strand so that there's a good connection inside of the 3/16" dia. terminal. You are going to ground the #7 pin (I used the ground terminal next to the MoDiC) after you turn the key to the 2nd position (this key position should show the service indicator lights on the dash). It takes about 5-7 seconds of grounding to leak out the current of the storage capacitor and charge up all of the 5 green lights.

I've done this once already, and as apprehensive/paraniod as I was the first time trying it on my '98 5er, I can tell you personally that nothing blew up, nothing shorted. Since my attempt, I've posted this on the e39 board, and a few other 5er owners have successfully done it to theirs too.

I have no reason to believe that there's a different SI design incorporated into the e46 over the e39 that would render the above sequence as a failure. Would you?

 

[bmw325]

Jedclampette--re: resetting the SI

Actually, the Bentley manual specifically states that the round plug you are referring to was discontinued on the E46 as of 6/2000 production (probably the e39 as well). SO, its actually easier now to reset the SI, since you can just use the instrument cluster--no need for a tool or shorting out wires.

BTW, are 26 and 29 HZ, "good" values? Do you know what the E39's torsional and bending values are? any other cars? I couldve sworn that the old e class was 25 hz.

 

[jjkd67]

did you ever find out how to reset it?

I have the same problem trying to reset the service interval. All I get is a test menu when I hold the trip reset. Did you figure it out? If so please help.

On my 2000, when I keep holding the odo button in the "test" mode, it simply returns me to a diagnostic mode with some numbers and stuff. I never get a "reset" mode.

Mine was a first production 2000 (7/16/99) delivery so I presume it's 6/99 build.

I did find a "test" easter egg as my other post shows.

 

[bmw325]

I have the same problem trying to reset the service interval. All I get is a test menu when I hold the trip reset. Did you figure it out? If so please help.

You can't do this on 2000 MY cars (except possibly some very late builds).

 

[aldo]

Just got my Bentley manual and am learning all sorts of cool trivia.

To reset the indicator:
-The car should be off
-hold down the left instrument button (the trip odometer reset)
-while holding the key, turn the ignition to position 1 (radio)
-you will see a test menu
-keep holding the button
-after maybe 10 seconds, the word "reset" will appear
-let go of the button and press again
-THe indicator is reset!

In reading about the indicator, I also learned that BMW changed the way the intervals are calculated for cars post 6/2000.
For cars buiilt after this date, it is calculated based solely on gallons of fuel consumed (for example, 601 gallons for 328i manual).

Cars built prior to this date take into account other factors such as engine temp, # of cold starts, etc. I don't know why BMW bothered to change and simplify this-- if they already had the electronics, why not just leave it alone?

If you haven't done so, I highly recommend buying the Bentley manual. Even if you never plan to work on your car, you'll appreciate it so much more and will know if your dealer is blowing smoke when you take it in for service.

One other interesting fact-- some of you may know this-- but the whole E46 dashboard including the center console sides is 1 piece! I believe this was done to lessen the chance of rattles. The downside is that if you ever damage or crack any part of the dashboard, the whole thing would need to be pulled and replaced.

Anyway, I'll continue to post interesting tidbits as I come across them.

I tried this out..... I do get to the reset light but it just blinks for a bit and then shfits to "end". It is the wife's car so it was actually 950 over when I noticed it needed an oil change.
I am also showing 51A on the right side of the indicator so there may be an additional problem....

 

[e46baller]

Theres another step u can do. depending on your year and not sure what month the car was "built/introduced"
RESETTING OIL SERVICE INDICATOR:
If your OBC needs to be reset after completing your oil change, there are two ways. NOTE: If you miss a step, just turn the key back off and try again:

A. Model Year 1999 to Mid-2000: You should have the older round 20-pin DLC connector under your hood behind the battery terminal, you need to use a small length of wire to connect (short) pins 7 and 19 for 3-5 seconds with the ignition key in position 1 (Accessory).

B. After Mid-2000: You should not have the 20-pin DLC connector. You only need to hold the left odometer reset button while turning the key to position 1 (Accessory). Keep holding the button for 5 or so seconds until any of the following shows in the display: OIL SERVICE or INSPECTION with RESET or RE. Release the button and press it again for another 5 or so seconds until RESET or RE flash. While the display flashes, press the button one more time briefly. If done correctly, END SIA should show up for a few seconds. All done.!
hope this helps pretty good site.

 

[doeboy]

B. After Mid-2000: You should not have the 20-pin DLC connector. You only need to hold the left odometer reset button while turning the key to position 1 (Accessory). Keep holding the button for 5 or so seconds until any of the following shows in the display: OIL SERVICE or INSPECTION with RESET or RE. Release the button and press it again for another 5 or so seconds until RESET or RE flash. While the display flashes, press the button one more time briefly. If done correctly, END SIA should show up for a few seconds. All done.!
hope this helps pretty good site.

This is the procedure we used on a friend's 323i this past Saturday and it worked fine. We had a bit of trouble remembering exactly how the sequence went, but with some trial and error we eventually remembered what to do...

 

[F1Crazy]

This is the procedure we used on a friend's 323i this past Saturday and it worked fine. We had a bit of trouble remembering exactly how the sequence went, but with some trial and error we eventually remembered what to do...

I did the same on mine today, after a few trials I managed to reset it but if you ask me what's a sequence I won't be able to tell you

 

[bimmerzone]

If anyone still needs the Bentley Manual, we do have it in stock
http://www.bimmerzone.com/bmwproducts.htm
Cheers to all and enjoy

Vince

 

[TRWham]

W... 26 Hertz and flex at 29 Hertz both of which are inaudible...

To you perhaps, but the audible range is normally considered to extend to 20Hz. In any case, most people can feel vibrations at frequencies below the audible range.