328i Problems

[idamaster]

I bought a 328i from ebay recently and here are the problems:

The back tail lights don't work and the radio doesn't turn on. I checked the fuses and all of them seem fine. Maybe the assembly of the wires for the lights but I have no idea about the radio.

There is a sound coming from the engine bay, by looking at some other threads I'm thinking its the water pump.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWd3OsN-uMI


When turning the steering wheel it seems kind of heavy to turn. Is this how its supposed to be?


A loud noise coming from what sounds like all four wheels. Axel bearings?

[Rajht]

First check your power steering level because you may be low. This could cause a wining sound when turning the wheel at low speeds. Also check your relays to be sure that all of them are working. Oh and that noise on the video seems like you may have an accessory that is locked up...maybe the power steering? Sorry I cannot be of more help...while I know about cars and BMW's for that matter I am unfamiliar with this model.

[capas328]

Well, the radio, I would pull out of the dash and check to make sure all wiring is connected. If it is, it's possible you have a fried receiver. Is it aftermarket or a factory BMW radio? If it's aftermarket, might just be a loose wire where basically you just match up the wire colors in the back. Pull it out and make sure it's all attached right. If not, you might just need a new deck.

If you checked all the fuses for the taillights, sounds like you might have a wiring problem. Is it just the taillights? Do the brake lights work when you hit the brakes? Could be just bulbs or it could be that you need new taillights. Common problem on the E36's is the metal terminals in the tails getting fried and screwing up the taillight. I would remove the taillights and do a visual inspection of the contact points where the bulbs hit the metal. If you see any dark areas or broken, bent areas, that's probably your problem. You can pick some tails up cheap off another member if you're patient.

Your car shouldn't be heavy to turn. I would check your power steering fluid and check for any leaks under the car.

Not sure about the wheels or the sound coming from your engine bay. Sounds rough though. I'd get that checked out asap. You can always take it to a shop to get them to diagnose it, then DIY.


I bought a 328i from ebay recently and here are the problems:

The back tail lights don't work and the radio doesn't turn on. I checked the fuses and all of them seem fine. Maybe the assembly of the wires for the lights but I have no idea about the radio.

There is a sound coming from the engine bay, by looking at some other threads I'm thinking its the water pump.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWd3OsN-uMI


When turning the steering wheel it seems kind of heavy to turn. Is this how its supposed to be?


A loud noise coming from what sounds like all four wheels. Axel bearings?

[idamaster]

I meant to say the break light doesn't work when the break pedal is pressed. What about the loud noise coming from the axles/wheels. Another quick question do the e36 have axle bearings on both the front and the back?

[capas328]

I meant to say the break light doesn't work when the break pedal is pressed. What about the loud noise coming from the axles/wheels. Another quick question do the e36 have axle bearings on both the front and the back?

Open the trunk, pull off the black plastic covers on each side and take a look at your bulbs. Get someone to press the brake down while you're looking so you can see what's out and which bulbs to pull. Sounds like they just need to be replaced.

Not sure about the wheels.

[jmo69]

I meant to say the break light doesn't work when the break pedal is pressed. What about the loud noise coming from the axles/wheels. Another quick question do the e36 have axle bearings on both the front and the back?
They have wheel bearings.

[idamaster]

Also what about this little fog type of residue on the headlights?

[idamaster]

Any one know about the sound coming from the axle or the engine?

[kevinqjhps]

Any one know about the sound coming from the axle or the engine?


Sounds like a pully type noise. Get some silicone and spray the pullies. If the noise stops you know where it is from. To check the water pump get a long wood handle screwdriver, place the blade end on the water pump housing, and the handle on your ear. If that is the cause of the noise you will be able to hear it through the handle.

[yann76]

Hi,
Have you checked your steering fluid level?
I have a leak in the steering pump and it kind of sounds similar when it needs filling.
Just a thought!

[idamaster]

Well the Break Light is fixed, so is the engine noise(not fully but almost there, spraying it a little more will do it.)Turns out steering fluid is full but the steering wheel still turns in a heavy way. The radios fuses are fine so is the fuse thats on the radio itself. So replacing the radio? How much is a new OEM one? And i tried getting that stuff off of the headlights, ended up scratching one of them so I gave it up.

[capas328]

Well the Break Light is fixed, so is the engine noise(not fully but almost there, spraying it a little more will do it.)Turns out steering fluid is full but the steering wheel still turns in a heavy way. The radios fuses are fine so is the fuse thats on the radio itself. So replacing the radio? How much is a new OEM one? And i tried getting that stuff off of the headlights, ended up scratching one of them so I gave it up.

Check on ebay if you want an OEM one. You can get one for less than $100 in most cases. I'd just upgrade the stereo though since you are replacing it. That's just my two cents. Is your tire pressure good? Check your tires. It makes a huge difference in turning when they are underinflated.

Did you check the wires off the radio unit to make sure everything was connected?

[idamaster]

Check your tires.

Did you check the wires off the radio unit to make sure everything was connected? Tires are at right Pressure, all of the wires are plugged in correctly, but even if the wire cluster wasn't plugged in would the radio still turn on because the power is plugged in? But yes everything is plugged in.

[idamaster]

The noise from the engine is back today. Would the silicone spray last a lot longer?

http://specialtauto.com/delorean-parts/images/silicone-spray.jpg

[3SeriesPLZ]

I think that the E36 has a somewhat heavy feel to the steering. After driving other cars it is always suprising how different the steering in my car feels. I have had this experience in a couple of other e36's as well. Could just be something to get used to. i would say as long as it is tight and respnsive dont worry about the weight too much.

[TeamRootbeer]

I started driving my e36 about 3 months ago, and I too noticed the steering had an entirely different feel to the cars I had been used to driving (more responsive, more "feedback" from the road, which could be interpretted as "heavier"). It just takes some getting used to, but it makes it really hard to go back to those cars with "wimpier" steering feedback.

The haze on your headlights is just a part of the slow breakdown of the plastic headlight unit. Nothing to worry about really, almost purely cosmetic, unless it gets so bad as to impact the headlights function. There are several threads/how-tos about how to clean it properly, most involving a couple of different grades of sandpaper and polishing compound. I did this to mine and it really looks ten-fold better, almost like new.

[Ivan328iC]

Also what about this little fog type of residue on the headlights?

That´s a typical issue of any e36: they get dirty over the years...

You can easily open and clean them, or even better, buy new ones: you can find good prices at eBay...there are also headlights with angel ayes pre-installed (I have them in my baby and they look sooo nice!!)

[idamaster]

Ive been searching on these forums and i found that theres a code involved with the radio but does it say that you have to type the code in of do you type it while its turned off? i have the S/N number for the radio so if thats the case then ill call the dealership tomorrow.

[capas328]

The power has to be on for the deck to ask you for the code.

[idamaster]

The power has to be on for the deck to ask you for the code.
Well im guessing the power receiver in the radio broke then.

[idamaster]

Well if i do get a new stereo can i still use the CD changer or is that not possible. Where do you buy the adapter for the radio connections?

[RamGoat]

A used ... pink bathrobe
A rare ... mint snowglobe
A Smurf ... TV tray
I bought on eBay

My house ... is filled with this crap
Shows up in bubble wrap
Most every day
What I bought on eBay




LOL...!

Check relays all around and the wiring in your trunk along with the wiring behind the radio
the whining. rattle sounds like the PS pump going hence the steering wheel problems

check the fluid quality (possibly drain and flush)

whats the "loud noise" sound like exactly i.e. rattles, bangs creaks, squeaks, squeals, rubbing?

[m2pc]

The stereo could be asking for the CODE (hence not playing sound) and the lights could be out. This happened on mine until I re-soldered the resistors on the circuit board inside.

Did you try turning the radio on and off while shining a flashlight at the display at different angles? If the bulbs are out this will usually work so you can at least see it displaying "CODE" or not.

[idamaster]

So with a new deck there is no CD changer right? So if i change the deck i would need an adapter where do i get that?

[idamaster]

Anyone?

[idamaster]

:shiftySomeone has to know about this.

[idamaster]

Now the radio is fixed i have the code from a dealer but no matter which way i turn the volume knob the radio decides if the volume is going to raise or lower. How do i fix this.

[randyracoon1234]

OH THAT NOISE! i get that same thing from my engine bay and i have the same car as you. mine is not as violent sounding and a little higher pitched. I found that my power steering fluid is dirty and low. Hopefully going to change that this weekend. Ill let you know if it fixes it. Sorry, i don't know anything about the radio.

[HvK]

Now the radio is fixed i have the code from a dealer but no matter which way i turn the volume knob the radio decides if the volume is going to raise or lower. How do i fix this.

Well, does it go louder and softer as you accelerate/decelerate?
If that's the case, then RTFM.

The BMW OEM Radio units do that as the volume control is linked to the speed sensor...

As for the noises get the car serviced or take it to a shop to check it out, although I'd hazard a guess that it's a combination of sounds from the P/S pump, wheel bearings and waterpump. Also check your brakes, perhaps their binding.

[idamaster]

Nope i was at a complete stop in my driveway.

[idamaster]

Ok here's a check up with a few more Questions. I got a new radio after i beat the factory radio while i was driving because it wouldn't turn on. The parts were from Crutchfield. Anyways, the rattle from the engine is still there.


Rust from the sunroof housing is rubing on my sunroof headliner when i open it and when i close it you can see the lines that the rust left. How can I clean the housing( or whatever its called)?

Can i put in any 4" Speaker in the rear deck or do i have to spend 400 bucks for some of these kits that the companys that are in the audio part of the forums make?

[svginferno]

hmm if your power steering is low, it's probably one of the high pressure hoses that you'll have to fix, you can DIY or you can pay someone to do it. e36 are notorious for this problem. Get this done asap! if you can/want. i don't know about the wheel sounds, but have you searched about the vanos units for the front of the car? i didn't watch the vid :shifty
also search about trunk harness to see if any wires are frayed

good luck

no idea about the speakers

[idamaster]

All of that is fixed besides the engine sound, speakers and the rust like streaks on the headliner.

[idamaster]

Well i got a pioneer head unit and the radio and speaker problem is fixed.Is it all right to turn the car on with the fan taken out?

[BMWE36328I]

I would replace the fuse to be 100% sure!

[idamaster]

The radio is already fixed. I swapped it out. Anyone about the fan?

[jmo69]

Well i got a pioneer head unit and the radio and speaker problem is fixed.Is it all right to turn the car on with the fan taken out?
See fan delete mod (FDM). You can run without it but need upgrades, cooler thermostat, bigger electric fan and lower temp fan switch.

[idamaster]

See fan delete mod (FDM). You can run without it but need upgrades, cooler thermostat, bigger electric fan and lower temp fan switch.
I was just asking so i could see better into the pulleys and the belt tensioners. Im mean ill be putting the fan after im done. The more throttle i give it the faster the knock goes. Im thinking either belt tensioners or the water pump.

What was changed here. Is this powersteering stuff? Sorry for the bad angle i couldnt get my head past the bumper since the car is so low so i just had to guess where to take the picture.

file:///F:/DCIM/102KC340/102_0899.JPGfile:///F:/DCIM/102KC340/102_0899.JPGhttp://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll184/idamaster/102_0899.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll184/idamaster/102_0903.jpg

[idamaster]

:help

[idamaster]

bump

[idamaster]

Well since no one seems to know im just going to go with it and take out the fan and try from then on. Im still thinking either tensioner or water pump because when i rev the car it speeds up along with the RPM's