Quick repairs

Break Light Circuit Light is On:
• Burnt out or poorly seated stop light bulb(s), faulty break light switch or wiring. Sometime changing to BMW bulbs work.
Water Fluid Leaks:
• Small hairline cracks, leaking water pumps, loose hose clamps, faulty O-rings in the hoses going to the transmission.
What are the cause of engine overheating?
• Thermostat, water pump, faulty radiator or radiator cap, low radiator fluid, blown head gasket, air in the coolant circuit (bleed it).
Engine Won't Start:
• Check: battery, starter, fuse(s), relays, fuel pump, faulty spark plug resistor pack(s)... If you have no fuel and no spark, check the crankshaft position sensor or the fusible links.
Steering Shaking:
• Tire balancing, alignment, faulty tires, wheel bearings, warped brake rotors, worn out steering parts...
My Heater fan doesn't work in speeds 1 through 3?
• Check your sword or resistor pack
My battery is dead, I am lock out, how do I unlock the doors?
• To unlock the passenger door, turn the key past the normal unlock position while raising the door handle. Release handle and lift again to open the door.
Why my radio, windows, stereo, wiper don't work?
• Replace Fusable link under hood or under backseat.
Why my low beams go out sometimes?
• Re-solder Joint in LKM
Why my speedometer doesn't work or is erratic?
• Clean or change the speed sensor in differential.
Why my fuel level is erratic?
• Capacitors or fuel level sensor, change or clean with WD40
Unable to open the glove box Solution
Slide under the glove box and you will find two snap latches connecting the back of the glove box to a metal rod (horizontal). Unsnap these two latches and the entire glove box will now be able to move forward by about 1/2".
This will allow you some space to access and manipulate the latch from the top right edge of the box. Use a long, thin flat blade and depress the latch. (I had to look at a new replacement piece to understand what part of the latch to depress).
With the glove box open, you will need to replace the latch. You will not need to replace the lock.
Coolant smell and steam on window (thanks to Jeff)
There are really three (related) items that might have failed.
- a heat core element
- an inlet pipe
- an o-ring seal
All require the same basic path to fix. If you can tolerate it (depends how bad it is), many of us live with a slight leak. My E34 has the same problem and I occasionally have a slight antifreeze smell and/or get window fog. The fix at the shop is not cheap. The unit's buried in the dash and labor is big part of the bill. I've heard numbers of $600 and up...maybe someone share what they have paid. You can DIY if you are handy and don't mind taking the dash apart.