Troubled 1994 318IS

[Gabe4]

Bought my 1994 318is a few years ago with 160,000 in great condition. at 200k I started noticing some problems. the digital panel faded and i started getting this beep sound(in series of 3's) intermittently while the car was either at an intersection, fwy, or off. There is no pattern to this sound, i could hear it daily for days, or once weekly or a few time a month. No one can figure out what it oculd be. there's no service light light and I keep up the maintainence regularly. Also,
about a month ago the ABS light started to come on....thinking the brakes needed work, I changed the pads(they were low), rotors looked fine, everything else looked ok. I continued to get the light. I asked a mechanic friend about this and he said that the brakes are separate from the ABS. OK! so now I know....but what can it be, the light turns on occasionally. Any thoughts anyone? Do I need to take it in? I'm hoping it could be a weekend project. I checked the trouble code via the blinking code and it gave me a number of 1-2-2-6. I did it multiple time and gave me the same numbers. I looked up the numbers in the OMD I chart but this number is not listed. any suggestionsundefined

 

[B M W]

Hmm not exactly sure as to where ABS fits in. When you changed your brake pads did you remember to change the brake pad sensors? My guess is the beeping is telling you that your brake pad sensors are beign tricked. And if you, or your mechanic changed the pads btu forgot to change the sensor than this is the most likely problem.

Good Luck!

 

[Kirby]

Is it the dashboard display or the radio stack display that is dim?

If you are having problems with the dashboard display, there is a known failure issue with a rechargeable battery in the cluster that fails and sometimes leaks. If it fails, it can be replaced, if it leaks the whole board may need replacing.

For the radio stack computer display, From BAVAuto.com:

Computer Display is Dim
If the computer display is only visible in bright sunlight or direct light the problem is very likely caused by a faulty computer LED light bar.

Replacing the computer light bar procedure:

SAFETY WARNING: Be sure the ignition switch is in the OFF position before removing or attaching any electrical connectors. 3 series 84-91 1) Open glovebox and remove the pins securing the limiting straps to the glovebox, let the glovebox open to the floor. 2) Remove the trim cover to the left of the glovebox, which will allow access to the area behind the computer. 3) Using a small Phillips head screwdriver remove the four screws at the rear of the computer, which hold it in place. Gently pull the computer unit out without disconnecting any wires. 4) On the right side of the computer unit, at the top, is a white plastic protrusion. This is the light bar. Pull the light bar out using needle nose pliers. 5) Push in the new light bar and test for proper illumination. 6) Reinstall the computer unit, trim panel and glovebox. 5 series 82-88 1) Remove fuses # 5, 6 and 12. 2) Remove the two Phillips head screws at the top of the instrument cluster, which secure the cluster assembly into the dashboard. 3) Pull the cluster out slightly and turn it toward a 45-degree angle so that the right side is pulled out farther than the left side. 4) The two screws securing the computer unit are now exposed. Remove the screws and pull the unit from the cluster by angling it as required and pulling toward the rear. 5) Gently turn the computer unit clockwise to expose the three wiring connectors. Gently remove the connectors from the rear window defogger and hazard switches. Pull out the center disconnect on the computer connector and slide the connector off. 6) On the right side of the computer unit, at the top, is a white plastic protrusion. This is the light bar. Pull the light bar out using needle nose pliers. Push the new light bar into position in the computer unit. 7) Reinstall the wiring connectors and install the unit into the cluster. Reinstall the cluster.

 

[Gabe4]

I don't think the brake sensors were replaced. I'll look into that. thanks

 

[Gabe4]

The dashboard display has faded. It's visible only in direct sunlight. Are the instructions the same for the 3-series 84-91 as for 3-series 91 on?

 

[B M W]

Im sure it's your brake pad sensors. They should be located in your brake pads on the front right brakes and rear left.

....or wait...maybe it's the front left and rear right... Either way it's opposite corners. They are like $4 each and easy to change. Just pop open your calipers and sldie the sensor through the holes and into its slot. Plug. Done.

 

[Gabe4]

Thanks BMW...one more thing I'm planning to pressure clean my engine. What parts do I need to cover?

 

[B M W]

Oh dear. I wouldnt know, ive never pressure cleaned my engine bay. If anything I would just recommend you have a professional do it. Other than that I can just say the basics like your electronics near the firewall.

Maybe someone else can pick up this question.