1997 BMW 328i Questions?

Question

Hi, I just purchased a '97 BWM 328i.

Need some info on the following (owner's manual is terrible):

Radio will not power on. Nor will the sunroof do anything. Additionally, the windshield wipers will not squirt (but they work fine otherwise).

What could be wrong? I'm thinking some kind of fuse needs changing, as everything else is tip-top. Any ideas, refs? I need diagrams/photos if possible.

Also, one stupid question (since the manual doesn't seem to cover this AT ALL): I have a digital climate control system, I understand all the little buttons and everything, but I want to know what the two temperature readings indicate. Are these for the heated seats or are these for something else?

Thanks,
mort_silencieuse

Answer 1

Radio:
If you don't even see anything on the display, you either have a power problem or the radio itself is dead. Luckily for you, the E36 has a DIN sized radio, so you can put in any aftermarket radio with much better features and power.

Sunroof:
Either a power or motor problem. If it is jammed and everything else works, you can hear a click and maybe a slight noise of the motor struggling. There is a safety mechanism that shuts the motor down when resistance is too high.

Windshield washer:
If your washer tank is full, and you DON'T hear the pump motor, it's again either a power or motor problem.

Climate control:
You have a left and right temperature setting, these are the temperature YOU SET for driver and passenger. Not the actual reading of the cabin temperature, and not the heated seats.

Buy a fuse checker (Wal-Mart has a "Buss Fuse" kit for a few dollars). Check every single fuse on the car.

With so many electrical problems... do a Carfax check to see if the car had any flood damage. Electrical connectors corrode away quickly in a flooded car... even when everything else has been "covered up".

Answer 2

keeps blowing radio fuse after changeing battery and putting in code in radio