Another Newbie

[Big G]

Introductions
Well where to start, ah yes they call me Big G and I recently purchased a '96 Z3. Oldy but goodie. Needs some attention, so I'll be asking for help and direction. Also new to the forums, but I due know when to ask for help. I just know this should prove interesting and fun. So I'll make this short the sun just went down and its cool enough to drive with the top down.so I'll say Hi to all and gotta go, but I will return. G

 

[Big Daddy]

Welcome, post a photo of your new Toy and by all means enjoy it!

 

[Tom]

Welcome aboard, any pics of your new ride?

 

[Big G]

OK so I'm having issues with pictures all my pics of the vehicle are over the 2.00mb, can anyone help. I haven't posted for awhile had to go to phoenix, Az work thing.
One issue is the radio on the z has code wait on the display. I was told to pull the radio and get the serial number and call the dealer he would then issue the code to me. Does anyone know if this is a correct statement?
Second can anyone tell me issues with electrical problems on the z seems mine has some faults, gas gauge freaks out now and then. Also lost three of the four speeds on my fan for the a/c heater. If anyone can offer up some info it would be greatly appreciated.
So tomorrow I'll try to take some more pics and hope they don't go over the 2.mb so I can post. Any ideas on this would be helpfull also.

 

[Kirby]

Welcome and congrats on the Z3.

Yes, you can get a reset code from the dealer as described. Sometimes it even actually works! This is a security measure, if the battery is disconnected, or the radio is removed, it plays dead.

You can also check in the manual or glove box. BMW issued a card with the reset code on it when the car was purchased. Some owners left the card in the car, others hid it away safely - too safely.

I think the gas gauge issue might be related to a sensor failure. Help me out guys. Wasn't there an issue with dual sensors and one of them failing that causes this symptom?

 

[Big Daddy]

Here is a link for all you need to know about Z3's

FixIt Page

 

[Dave8812]

Welcome! You can email me the pics and I'll resize them and post them for you if you want.

 

[Dave8812]

Oh ya.... I almost forgot... My email is: dave@peach.myrf.net

 

[grc]

fuel injector cleaner will prolly help the gas gauge, i pick up a bunch of em at the dollar store every so often. (my gas gauge is fine)

 

[Big Daddy]

Fuel injector cleaner is not going to correct the gas guage error as it is electrical not mechanical, this is a common Z3 problem and the fix is listed on the website I posted the link to.

 

[grc]

i've seen pics of the sending unit covered in weird crud, some kind of deposits from the gas. the deposits were covering the rheostat(sp) dealy thing where the contact was trying to make. mine was changed out once under warranty and i haven't had a problem since...?

 

[Big Daddy]

i've seen pics of the sending unit covered in weird crud, some kind of deposits from the gas. the deposits were covering the rheostat(sp) dealy thing where the contact was trying to make. mine was changed out once under warranty and i haven't had a problem since...?

Ok, I thought the only problem was the one on the "fixit" page, but you are correct that a fuel injection cleaner will keep things clean. Maybe that is why I have never had the problem, I have used SI-1 injector cleaner since the beginning!

 

[grc]

i always make it a point to fill up with the engine off, not because all the warnings at the gas station and common sense, but because the fill tube spit out at me before when i had the engine running. another of my cars won't take gas with the engine running, there's some new-fangled do-hicky stuff in the emmisions systems that seems to cycle fuel through the system. i wonder if for some reason filling with the engine running can mess with the gauge? the fuse #31/23 trick sure is weird! but if it works!!

 

[Big G]

Thanks, looks like its the factory cause didn't even have a owner's manual in this car. I'm assuming the gas guage is electrical cause I just lost the first three speeds of the fan motor but not the fourth. Seems strange to me why loose the first three speeds and not the fourth must be the switch.

Dave8812 Tried to send the pics to you for resizing but had fatal errors on the address, is it correct?

Big Daddy thanks for the fixit page good stuff on this page should be real helpful.

anyone else a wiz at downsizing pics??????

 

[grc]

usually the lower fan speeds are powered through a resistor set-up and the high fan speed is direct through a separate relay. could be a fuse blown that powers the lower speeds, or the resistor block, or the switch? you might want to grab a book at the parts store for the 3 series, mine has helped me a couple times with the funny way these cars work. i'll take a peek in the book later for the fan switch...

 

[Dash Singh]

I'm from South Africa, so I hope this advice works for you. Radio code can be re-set by calling local BMW dealer and quoting your cars "body number". On the older Z3's like mine (1998), you punch in the code and hold down the FM button.
The fuel gauge problem might be caused by the float sensor getting stuck in one position.

Dash