A few problems.. - United Bimmer Community

**digismack** · 08-27-2007, 05:34 PM

My 1997 BMW 318i seems to have a few problems crop up at once. Here's the latest:

The LCD odometer readout is barely readable now, even with the headlights turned on. I can still see the warning lights come on perfectly during ignition, but I can't read the odometer without getting a few inches away from it.

My steering wheel shakes bad when I'm braking at more than 40MPH. The shakes are progressively worse the higher the speed. I'm supposed to get my brake discs changed tomorrow, which hopefully fixes the problem.

I also have some slight steering wheel shaking when I'm driving. It doesn't shake when I'm driving straight, only when the steering wheel is turned slightly to the left or right, it doesn't do it, or at least it's not noticeable, on full 90° turns though.

My interior headliner has been down the whole time I've had the car. I'm getting around to fixing cosmetics now and I'm wondering what the best thing to do for this is. Should I have someone re-cloth the headliner or should I spend the $400 for the new headliner piece from the BMW dealership? I live on an island, thus a hot climate, I've heard this would make the glue on a re-clothed headliner fall down fast, can anyone confirm this for me?

I'm sure there are some other problems that I'm forgetting about, but if I can't remember them now, then they are next up on the list after this set. Any feedback and help will be greatly appreciated.

**3050rpm** · 08-27-2007, 05:43 PM

To address some of those items, the odometer LCD display could be due to needing new bulbs, or there's a poor connection (the lower half of the digits on mine don't light up, I think because of the connection, as every once in while all the digits illuminate). I think there was a recent DIY on this, so do a search.

Shaking of the steering wheel most likely coming from ball joints, control arm bushings, tie rod ends, other front suspension bushings, wheel balancing, individually or in combination. If the front end hasn't been checked in quite a while, these are probably what await.

As to the headliner, again there was a recent DIY, do a search and it might save you some time, $$, and grief.

**Dudesky** · 08-27-2007, 07:43 PM

Steering issues: most likely control arm bushings.

Headliner: I've yet to see anyone repair these to perfection, seems to be more trouble than it's worth. I would wait to find an entire headliner on ebay, they pop up once in a while. Or get one used at bmrparts.com or vinesauto.com.

LED odo: don't know. Mullethunter3 may have an answer for that one.

**digismack** · 08-30-2007, 06:30 PM

Well, I got my brake discs changed and the shaking went away when braking. I still have the slight shaking when turning the steering wheel a few degrees in either direction. I'm looking at getting new urethane control arm bushings, any recommendations on which ones to get? I'm also wanting to replace my water pump (original plastic) with a water pump with a metal impeller, but I can only find them for E36 6-cyl cars. Any help here?

I'm also having a problem cranking the car now. It works fine sometimes and sometimes it takes a few tries. When it doesn't work, it doesn't even try to turn over, it just doesn't do anything. There is a distinctive hum noise that I can hear sometimes, and when I do hear that noise, the car cranks fine. When the noise is absent, the car won't crank. A friend of mine says that it's probably the fuel pump relay, what do you guys think?

I'm finally getting close to having all the mechanical problems fixed on the car and now I'm getting around to preventative maintenance and performance upgrades. I've been told to get some of the E36 M3 struts and springs as my first performance upgrade, any thoughts on this?

I'm also about to do some interior work, starting with replacing the backing on the seats, as the drivers side is loose and is a definite eyesore. Does anyone know where the best place to look for these are?

(1997 E36 318i)

**3050rpm** · 08-30-2007, 08:30 PM

I'm not b eing much help with the water pump, I thought those only affected the 6-cylinder engines, not the 4-, but nonetheless, just talk to someone at a parts place to make sure they've got a metal one for your car, and at last resort there's the dealer.

As to the cranking, most likely the fuel pump or fuel pump relay; I tend to think that since it's intermittent, it's the pump itself, but the smart thing to do is to run an electrical test on the relay first, a lot easier and cheaper to do than going directly to the pump.

Springs and shocks? Some go to considerable lengths with all this, my personal sense is that the springs are just fine, so go with Bilstein or Koni sports or some other regarded name for struts and shocks.

Backing for the seats? Dunno offhand, but a check of the Yellow Pages under automotive repair/uphostery/restorations might give you some good leads. Ask local service and restoration shops too.

**digismack** · 08-30-2007, 10:37 PM

As far as I know the water pump on my E36 is plastic and prone to failure. I've been warned to get it replaced with a metal one, but I could be getting bad advice. Does the 97 E36 318i come with a plastic or metal water pump?

(I'm just getting into this mechanic thing and I don't really know where to look for the water pump, nor what it looks like. I'm purchasing the book for my car soon though so I can start learning faster.

**Cartony** · 08-31-2007, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by digismack

As far as I know the water pump on my E36 is plastic and prone to failure. I've been warned to get it replaced with a metal one, but I could be getting bad advice. Does the 97 E36 318i come with a plastic or metal water pump?

(I'm just getting into this mechanic thing and I don't really know where to look for the water pump, nor what it looks like. I'm purchasing the book for my car soon though so I can start learning faster.

As far as I know it was the 94-96 318i M42 that had the plastic water pump. I just had mine replaced. The tell tale sign was look underneath where the waterpump is, there is a small hole behind the pulley. If you see any antifreeze that's a sign that it is going. I'm no expert but thats how I suspected it was a waterpump problem. My 2 cents

**3050rpm** · 08-31-2007, 11:02 AM

I'm not sure on the particulars, i.e. what exact models and model years were affected, but this is not anything to be left to chance, it is a major problem (take it from one with experience). If indeed you do have a plastic pump, make it a priority to change it. To double check if you are affected, get your VIN and either go to a dealer or call BMW. If yours actually is post-plastic, you're o.k. and can move on to other things on your "to do" list.

**xxxbimmer** · 09-02-2007, 12:27 PM

hmmm m42.......... not related but i would check your spark plugs for oil as its a common problem.........

just wait till u have the $ for the headliner.........