New to the board and need help

[silver_bullet]

Hey, my dad's been deciding to sell our 1990 325 2dr, but I've actually persuaded him to keep the car. Now that we're going to keep it, I'm going to need to fix some stuff up. Here's what's wrong...

-Speedometer doesn't work and our mechanic says to purchase a new working cluster. The tach works, but the speedometer doesn't.
-reverse lights don't work. changed the bulbs, checked the connection, nothing seems to fix it.
-"brake lining" light on the cluster is ALWAYS on... can someone give me an explanation?

Well, that's all for now... Any help is greatly appreciated...
I'm hoping that he'll transfer the ownership onto my name, cause I love this car and I'm planning to make it my personal project...

-mark

 

[KC Ron Carter]

Hmm,

95% of the speedometer issues are the connector at the aft face of the rear differential. Clean and reseal with a petroleum grease, and smile.

I would locate the reverse light switch on top of the transmission and just short between the connection, if the reverse light start working the switch is the issue.

The brake linkg light will illuminate if any of the connections are loose or if the pads are worn enough to allow the sensor to ground.

Make sure the sensors are connected and then if you get the brakes checked regularly just remove the indicator light bulb.

Later,

 

[echothreezero]

good answer above, I'd just like to add that the instrument clusters on these cars are known to fail, so you may need a new one, but try pulling it out and checking first.

Also, brake lining light could be dirty contacts. Like KC said, get the pads checked, and while there, play about with the sensor, might be dirty or loose (mine tends to malfunction in wet weather as it has a bad earth but I haven't got around to fixing it yet).

Good Luck

 

[silver_bullet]

Thanks for the advices. The e30 is sitting in my garage for the winter, and i'm not going to drive it til spring. I'm probably going to check all the connectors and sensors first as soon as I can, then check the rear diff. but that's gonna have to wait. University education comes first, and I'm loaded with paper work..

Oh, the car rolls way too much and I'm planning on stiffening the suspension and lowering the ride height as low as they go. What's the best setup I can put on the car?

 

[Rukus]

if the brake lining light stays on, chances are, it was took to a non BMW shop to the the brakes fixed and the sensors weren't reset properly. The case with my car, they tried bypassing the sensor by rewiring it, which didin't work and i have the light on all the time.

 

[Bimmer1928]

Hey rukus, I love the car I am 14 and want to purchase a 318i fixeruper next year i have been working all summer,winter, and this summer i will be as well does anyone have any suggestions on what to get and are there any good sites with bmws for sale?
alex