First time BMW owner...GREMLINS!!

[Hoot73]

Hi all. Here's my story. I just picked up a mint condition, bone stock 1989 525i with 78,000mi for $2,000. I got it from an elderly couple who doesn't use it much anymore (customers at the service station where I work... husband is very ill). I've noticed as the weather got cold, it started doing some strange things electronically in the dashboard. When I start it up, the key chime rings incessantly in a continuous high piched ring, the odometer doesn't appear, and the fuel and temp gauge don't register. If the car is in park or neutral, touching the brake makes the area where the odometer should be glow, and also makes the tachometer jump up about 2000rpm. As the car's interior temp comes up, the ringing slowly turns back to a "ding-ding" type sound, and the dashboard comes back to life. I'm sure the interior temp has something to do with the problem, because recently on a very cold and sunny day the inside of the car was warm from sunlight, and everything worked perfectly. Has anyone heard of such a thing??
(It seems bizarre to me, but this is my first BMW!!)


Brake light switch or chime module shorting out and backfeeding??? Possible ignition switch problem?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[zubbie]

Guess number 1: standard dash issue. Go here for advice

http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/maintenance/electrical/capacitors.htm

Guess number 2: Fusable link

http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/maintenance/electrical/fusible_link.htm

Both easily fixable if you are handy. Good luck

[Hoot73]

Thanks for the help zubbie. From the description given on the link, it sounds like I've got a capacitor issue. The fix looks like a pain in the arse, but I'll give it a shot.
Again, I appreciate your help.

[Rebel635csi]

When it comes to removing the dash cluster, i dont fuck with the steering wheel or the air bag.

a much simpler solution is to remove the kickpanel, there's one screw on the side by the door, two on the bottom edge, 2 behind the radio side where u pop off the corner and two under the right wood trim.

then remove the metal kick panel with 10mm screws and u'll be able to get to the two large 13mm bolts holding the steering wheel up

take em off and the steering wheel will come down allowing you to pull the dash straight out.

[Hoot73]

Thanks Rebel... This one doesn't have airbags, so I'll just have to crawl under there and poke around to see which way looks like the easiest access. I'm also not too sure about my soldering abilities, but my bro is an electronics whiz. He said it'll be a piece of cake to replace the capacitors. I'm glad I have other vehicles to rely on.

[sfgearhead]

welcome! the car sounds like a great deal. i'm sure with a little work to fix the standard issues she'll be reliable transportation soon.

i would also recommend doing a full "inspection II", which is basically a full fluid/filter flush, lube and maintenance. from then on, it's time to mod!

the '73 sedan deville sounds like fun, if not a bit rough to fill up!

[h2oplaydamian]

I am new to bmws also , The e34 is very edvanced for being a earley 90s car .

[Hoot73]

Yeah...it does some nifty stuff for an'89 vehicle. I figure it'll be about another 10 years before I actually figure out the "information center" on the dashboard though.

I did an oil change immediately after getting it. Being a "little old lady" car, it was about a year late, and 1,200 miles early. A transmission service is next. Does anyone have a suggestion for ATF type??

[zubbie]

Yeah...it does some nifty stuff for an'89 vehicle. I figure it'll be about another 10 years before I actually figure out the "information center" on the dashboard though.

I did an oil change immediately after getting it. Being a "little old lady" car, it was about a year late, and 1,200 miles early. A transmission service is next. Does anyone have a suggestion for ATF type??

Depends on the transmission. I am pretty sure you have a ZF4HP22 tranny so a good quality Dextron III fluid is what you would use. To be sure check your VIN on realoem.com to verify the tranny

[Hoot73]

Depends on the transmission. I am pretty sure you have a ZF4HP22 tranny so a good quality Dextron III fluid is what you would use. To be sure check your VIN on realoem.com to verify the tranny

According to realoem.com that's the tranny, except for the ZF part of the code.

[zubbie]

According to realoem.com that's the tranny, except for the ZF part of the code.

ZF is actually the manufacturer. As in
http://www.zf.com/na/content/en/import/zf_na/startseite/Startseite.html

and if you want exact approved lubricants:

http://www.zf.com/na/content/media/import/zf_na/startseite/sso/passenger_car___light_truck/car_driveline/products/oil_list_2007.pdf

[Testercles]

I am new to bmws also , The e34 is very edvanced for being a earley 90s car .


Oh god yes. It does more things than a brand new Commodore or Falcon does, that always impresses my friends, and me =)

[Testercles]

According to realoem.com that's the tranny, except for the ZF part of the code.

I thought the 4HP22 was the 4 Speed Auto in the 535i and the 525i had a 5 Speed??

[abakos]

This might help too- (http://bmwe34.net/E34main/Maintenance/Transmission/Transmission_main.htm)

With the electrical oddities, sounds like the cluster.

[eightynine535]

Instead of messing around with the dash caps, just search on here for someone parting out their car and buy it.

[Hoot73]

I thought the 4HP22 was the 4 Speed Auto in the 535i and the 525i had a 5 Speed??

There's a 5 speed tranny in this one. Right now, the tranny is the least of my troubles. I've also noticed that when the interior of the car starts to warm up, and it's beginning to go back to normal, jiggling the key has an affect on it as well.

This is probably an extremely stupid question, but if this is as common a problem as it seems to be, has anyone tried to contact BMW directly for any kind of technical assistance??

They must know that there's a ton of people out there with the Bimmer obsession... and considering they're a multi-billion dollar company, maybe they'd come through with some help. Just a shot in the dark.