I just recently picked up a 1998 740iL in Cashmere Beige from the dealership I work for. We had taken it in on trade and I was able to score it for $900. It has just under 140k indicated. I have been lurking since I bought it just to grasp knowledge. I did have them put a brand new battery in the car when I bought it.
Last night while driving, I ran into an issue with the OBC and cluster freezing. The car ran and drove normally, and the radio worked. I have DSP but no nav. I got the car home and pulled the negative battery cable while looking into a couple of other issues (glovebox latch, rear armrest latch (no ski bag), cigarette lighter fuses), and when I put the cable back on, everything was reset but back to normal. Now the shift indicator light (at the shifter) is staying on. Is this normal operation?
This is a project car for me. It needs some love, but I believe is worthy of being saved. I do appreciate all of the knowledge here and the answers I have already found. Here are some pics:
VINWBAGJ8323WDM09289
Type CodeGJ83
E SeriesE38 (2)
Series7
TypeLIM
Model740IL (USA)
SteeringLL
Doors4
EngineM62
Displacement4.40
Power210
DriveHECK
TransmissionAUT
ColourKASCHMIRBEIGE METALLIC (301)
UpholsterySTANDARDLEDER/BEIGE E36 SANDBEIGE E (N6SN)
Prod. Date1997-05-22
S214AAutomatic stability control (ASC+T)
S216AHYDRO STEERING-SERVOTRONIC
S245ASteering wheel column adjustment,electr.
S260ASide airbag for driver/passenger
S262AITS - Head airbag
S288ABMW light alloy wheel, cross spoke 29
S302AAlarm system
S354AGreen windscreen, green shade band
S403AGlass roof, electrical
S423AFloor mats, velours
S431AInterior mirror with automatic-dip
S438AFine wood trim
S441ASmoker package
S456AComfort seat with memory
S459ASeat adjuster, electric, with memory
S473AArmrest front
S488ALumbar support, driver and passenger
S494ASeat heating driver/passenger
S534AAutomatic air conditioning
S555AOn-board computer V with remote control
S640APreparation f tel.installation universal
S645ABMW US Radio
S672ACD changer for 6 CDs
S677AHiFi System Professional DSP
S694AProvisions for BMW 6 CD changer
S806AThird stoplamp
S818ABattery master switch
S850ADummy-SALAPA
S853ALanguage version English
S876ARadio frequency 315 MHz
S925ADummy-SALAPA
S961ASPECIAL MOTOR
S992AControl of number-plate attachment
The shifter light should stay on for about 15 mins then go out when the car goes into sleep mode.
Congrats on the new ride!
Awesome...Thank you. I am very happy with it so far. It is by no means perfect, but rides like a dream, and will be even better when I get the front end suspension gone through
welcome to the e38 family. have fun. you may just get addicted...
1997 740iL; 5/96 build. Purchased 12/04. Off the road build project 2013 - 2021. back on road 3/2021. Became daily driver (only vehicle) 6/12/2021. Still not completed. Stay tuned as the adventure continues.
I am already addicted...I have always had a soft spot for big sedans. (I am 6' 6"). My last big car was an 01 CVPI, and it just wasn't as refined as I wanted it to be. I am already hooked enough on the 7 to find all the quirks and minor annoyances tolerable and endearing. Not to mention that I can fit a real human in the seat behind me.
Here's more info about the cars AWAKE & SLEEP modes...that will further explain the little orange light next to the gearshift lever. As long as you don't make a call on the P-bus (lift a door handle, press a button on the remote fob etc)...the car will go to sleep after 16 minutes. The car "AWAKES" when you "make a call" to prepare the car for entry. Certain modules will come to life like the little fan inside the IHKA control module that samples the interior air temperature of the cabin..it draws the air into the left grill of the IHKA across a thermistor which prepares the IHKA to get to the temp you have set:
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2015 650ix GC (Moonstone/Cohiba Brown) <<~>> 2014 X5 50i (Space Gray/Mocha)
n00b question of the day...How do I reset the oil change/inspection interval indicators on the dash? I had the oil changed at my shop (GM) yesterday.
Welcome and congrats, it's worth it. That's 15 years talking.
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/704428
2001 | DINAN 7 Sport | S62 Swapped 6-Speed
DINAN Springs & Exhaust | 750 Brakes | M-Pars | Monsoons | NBT Nav/Radio
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2001 | 750iL | AlpineWeiss III
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Since you have a 98...you'll need to short pins #7 & #19 in the 20 pin DLC located in the engine bay. Unfortunately the link to CarDomain in the post above is no longer valid due to them changing their format a few years ago which fundamentally destroyed the work many members had done prior to the change.
But to reset the SI display is simple and easy...you just need to carefully determine you've selected the correct pins. They are numerically marked...so you may want to mark them (like in pic below) so that you don't make a mistake.
If you don't have the dedicated reset tool...you can use something as simple as a wire or needle nosed pliers to short pins 7 & 19 . Once you have your tool to short...follow these instructions:
- insert tool into the correct pins in the DLC
- turn ignition to position 2
- for OIL SERVICE reset...count to 10 seconds...for INSPECTION reset, count to 15 seconds (begin to walk back to engine bay to remove the tool at the correct time interval for whichever SI warning is illuminated)
- pull tool, then screw 20 pin DLC lid back on
- walk back around and turn ignition OFF
Last edited by Qsilver7; 03-02-2018 at 04:03 AM.
Become a BMW CCA member! Click HERE to join and feel free to use my BMW CCA member #191509 as a referral.
2015 650ix GC (Moonstone/Cohiba Brown) <<~>> 2014 X5 50i (Space Gray/Mocha)
Thank you! This is definitely a learning experience. I am a shadetree wrench, so not my first rodeo working on cars, but my first BMW experience. Today is going to be spent mostly cleaning and working on some small stuff...
Spent about 3 hours cleaning the interior yesterday. Got the front half done, except the carpets. Still can't get the cigarette lighters to work after replacing the fuses...just another thing to add to the list.
New issue: Car will start then die immediately unless I hold the rpm above idle. will usually only do this when it has been driven within an hour or 2. it is almost like it is loading up with fuel..CEL is on and need to have them pull codes when they do the front lower control arms this week. Will I need an alignment after if they are only doing the front lowers? I am replacing due to tons of play in the ball joints and hoping that corrects the front end shimmy between 50-60.
Last edited by russrad25; 03-05-2018 at 07:04 PM. Reason: additional info
New front lower control arms being installed today!!!
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Man I love driving this car. I am hooked!!! It has its faults, and has been neglected, but it is strong in all the right spots. The rehab is beginning one step at a time...
And...the trans went into failsafe mode last night...ugh. It happened as I was driving home. I got on it once, then when I went to accelerate again, it was in failsafe...No code reader as of yet, so unknown if there are any trans codes. Will a battery disconnect reset to see if there is an actual issue with the trans?
Trans failsafe could be a result of low voltage - dead/dying battery. WHICH could be a result of bad alternator and on and on and on.
ALSO could be a result of mis-matched tires, I've seen it happen on my car.
Simple answer: Check the battery voltage while the car is off, then at idle. Off should be 12.4-12.5 and on should be 13-14.5v.
|| 1995 740i || M60B40 || DUDMD || ̶o̶r̶i̶e̶n̶t̶ ̶b̶l̶u̶e̶ Mercedes Brilliant Blue Metallic || Style 168 Wheels 1" Spacers ||
Jamos,
Battery was new 1 mo ago. Tires are all the same size/brand. Trans will not go into first, then goes into limp mode. reverse does work. I am thinking it is time to teach myself how to rebuild a transmission...
Here are the symptoms. After a full throttle run to the top of first, I let off. When I got back on the gas, it felt like I had lost first gear. Now, from a dead stop, it will rev without movement, and then go into trans failsafe mode (2nd gear?) and allow the car to move. Manually shifting to any gear produces no change. I do have reverse. Disconnecting the battery did remove the failsafe, but it came back immediately after trying to put the car in drive.
I ask the great brain trust for ideas...
Still have not had time to dig in and diag...i should probably disconnect the battery if it's going to sit much longer...
Life just gets in the way...Still trying to find time to diag the trans issue. so she sits in the driveway while I try and shorten the honey-do list a little. Hopefully the weather will break a little bit and I will be able to start the diag process.
I can empathize. My green car has been hogging my half of the garage for months. That’s about to change.
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