New BMW owner - United Bimmer Community

**85325e** · 10-25-2007, 07:54 AM

Just bought an 85 325e. Its a little rough, but im enjoying it so far. Other than some minor issues I think it'll be just fine. I've read a lot of the threads on where to find parts and such, but I still have a few questions... Just above the radio are 3 buttons and a roll switch of sorts. I know 2 of the buttons are for the hazards and rear defrost, but the farthest to the left??? Also haven't really figured out what the roll switch is for. The highbeam/turn signal switch also pushes in, it has "BC" written on it, what is this for??? I'm a former honda guy and cars are my thing, but i think i've found my new car of choice...BMW

**celsdogg** · 10-25-2007, 08:05 AM

welcome to ub.c and E30 ownership!

the "roll switch" is probably the fader for the stereo. im not sure what the "bc" is. sorry.

**elsabor67** · 10-25-2007, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 85325e

I'm a former honda guy and cars are my thing, but i think i've found my new car of choice...BMW

Welcome. Great to see a person making a great choice. JK.

You'll find some loyal E30 fans here

The roll switch which is to the far left is for your speakers (if you have factory stereo or aftermarket and they used the original wires). The other one that says BC, where is it at again? Also, let's see the ride soon.

witeshark · 10-25-2007, 11:43 AM

Welcome

**Exilion** · 10-25-2007, 01:13 PM

Welcome to the forums. Put up a picture of this mystery dashboard so we can see.

nick_318is · 10-25-2007, 02:44 PM

^+1, a picture would help.

Welcome and enjoy the car we will try to help where we can.

**jcjdavis1** · 10-25-2007, 05:25 PM

Your BC on stalk will be for your OBC(on board computer).Where the clock is do you have a digital clock with buttons below?Push the stalk in and you can scroll through different functions eg outside temp,mpg.

**GreenTourer** · 10-26-2007, 10:59 AM

Welcome and nice to see another e30er on here

**Dr1ve4fun** · 10-28-2007, 07:22 PM

Welcome to UB

. Any pictures? I don't think anyone mentioned it, but there is also a button that turns off the power to the windows. It has a red outline when it is not pushed in.

**85325e** · 10-30-2007, 08:25 AM

You've hit the nail on the head there. Shortly after i posted i found thats exactly what my mystery button is...the window lock...as for the dash confusion it seems to be the least of my worries. When i bought the car i knew that the speedo didnt work. Thanks to all previous posts its seems to be common, so i did some trouble shooting. Replaced the batteries in the SI board, no good. Got a speedo from a junkyard, no good (apparently they made 2 different speedos for the 85). Oh and by the way all the other gauges work just not the speedo, odometer/trip, and the mpg. Also the computer to the right of the radio is a bit on the fritz, could this all be related???

**Numark318i** · 10-30-2007, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 85325e

You've hit the nail on the head there. Shortly after i posted i found thats exactly what my mystery button is...the window lock...as for the dash confusion it seems to be the least of my worries. When i bought the car i knew that the speedo didnt work. Thanks to all previous posts its seems to be common, so i did some trouble shooting. Replaced the batteries in the SI board, no good. Got a speedo from a junkyard, no good (apparently they made 2 different speedos for the 85). Oh and by the way all the other gauges work just not the speedo, odometer/trip, and the mpg. Also the computer to the right of the radio is a bit on the fritz, could this all be related???

check the fuse. Theres a fuse for the OBC and some of the fuses. In my 318 the fuse controlled the Rev gauge. But...it might be hooked to your Speedo instead. Check that out.

**celsdogg** · 10-30-2007, 12:07 PM

^^^ i had the same problem in my last bimmer and had all the same problems. guess what i eventually narrowed it down to? the wires that go into diff. the speedo has a pickup at the diff.

if you check the diff, there will be an L shaped plug in it with two wires. in mine, they were badly damaged and frayed. i think the boot broke off when i pulled it out (it was very brittle) and i was left with two wires for the speedo and the boot in my hand. i fixed it with a piece of wire from the transformer of my old gameboy and some good old fashioned soldering. i believe the connector is on the back of the differential.

page 11-5 of the bentley manual shows a picture pointing to the ID tag on the diff. its right next to it. give that a check. thinking about it now, it could also be anywhere else along this line really.

just FYI, that was an automatic, but i think manuals and autos have the same crappy open diff unless ordered otherwise.