BMW E36 Blog

I’m sure this title has caught your eye and now you’re all anxious to know how you can make your car’s interior auto dim with light…The procedure is very simple and all you have to do is to get in your car and turn your lights on, then watch it because you already have it. The BMW E36 keeps amazing me every single day.

Today, I have discovered that there are 2 light sensors in the BMW E36 which are supposed to auto-dim your car’s interior according to the light intesity. I’m not sure if it’s going to work in my car or not. I will have to check it today, but I thought I would post it here first in order to give you something to keep you busy

Anyway, that’s enough … let’s give details:

The BMW E36 has 2 interior light sensors. One in the gauge cluster at the end of the speedometer. I’m sure many has wondered what is that thing looking like a lense there. It’s the auto-dim gauge cluster sensor. Take a look:

It’s supposed to make the gauge cluster light become more intense as it becomes darker outside.

Now for the other sensor, it’s located in the Digital climate control unit and it controls the light intensity of the climate control unit and the OBC (On Board Computer). So, if you don’t have the digital climate control (like me)… now it’s a good time to start crying . Take a look:

For me, as I said before, I didn’t try any of this yet, but I will check it today and make sure it’s working in my car. Please try it in your cars and lets see if it works.

BMW E36 Blog: The ultimate E36 information source.

Today, I’ve learned about the wallet plastic key for the BMW E36 cars. These are some pictures of this emergency key. Take a look:

It’s just awesome. You’re supposed to keep this key in your wallet in case you’ve closed your car with your keys inside. So, this way, you will be able to use the plastic emergency key to solve your problem right away .. smart huh? I also learned that this key is supposed to be used only once, but I’m not sure about that. I mean about the key being disposable. anyone knows if this is true?

So, I looked in the BMW E36 owner’s manual and found that when you buy a brand new BMW E36, which is something I didn’t experience you get 4 keys for your car:

And these keys according to the E36 manual are:

1. Master key with battery-powered lamp (switch on by pressing the BMW symbol).

2. Master key without lamp.

3. Spare key to be kept in a safe place e.g. your wallet. This key is not intended for continuous use.

4. Door and ignition key: This key does NOT operate the locks for the glove compartment and the luggage compartment. This is useful e.g. in a hotel. wow! I love that

Isn’t that great? Unfortunately, I only have one key for my car. I don’t have the other three. What about you guys?

BMW E36 Blog: The ultimate E36 information source.

Hi Guys,

I’ve found a thread on the bimmer forums talking about the features that some of us don’t even know they exist in their cars. So, I thought it would be cool to share them with you and see if you already knew about all these or not. So, let’s start:-

1. Speed Sensitive Volume (Harmon Kardon Audio System).
2. Speed Sensitive Wipers:- In the rain, the wipers will change their speed according to the car speed. The 3 settings for the wipers speed are:-
   a. Intermittent:- Wipers go intermittently at speeds above 3 mph (about) and do not work at all when stopped.
   b. Speed one:- Wipers go slowly at speeds above 3 mph (about) and go intermittently when stopped.
   c. Speed two:- Wipers go fast at speeds above 3 mph (about) and slowly when stopped.
3. Closing All Windows and Sunroof By Holding Key in the Lock Position. (Didn’t work on my BMW E36 1993 318is though. I think it’s a 94+ feature). Take a look at this BMW E36 M3 Review and Info.
4. Gas Door Closes with Central Lock.
5. Heated Windshield Nozzles (Winter Package).
6. Heated Door Locks (Winter Package).
7. Tilt Steering Wheel. Anyone got this?
8. Cupholder/Central Console is pre-wired for the ashtray light.
9. Secret OBC Functions.
10. Heated Mirrors.
11. The BC Button On The Signal Selector. Just click your signal stick towards the steering wheel column. You can switch the OBC functions this way.
12. After you park the car you can switch on the parking lights on one side of the car only. To do this, just switch the car off and push the indicator stalk all the way up or down (it’s quite stiff). The right or the left parking light will turn on.

So, what do you think? Did you know about all these features? be HONEST

BMW E36 Blog: The ultimate BMW E36 M3 information source.

I’ve received a PDF document from Hicham which contains some tips about modifying BMW E36 cars. I read the document and it indeed contains some useful information that can help anyone who’s intending to modify a BMW E36 car. Unfortunately, the document gives some directions about how to start modifying your BMW, but then it doesn’t give much details or specific information to accomplish each step. Anyway, I’m sure you will find this document useful and it’s short, so, it’s not going to take much time to read it. You can download it from here.

BMW E36 Blog: The ultimate BMW E36 M3 information source.

Hi,

I read many posts about people asking about special symbols and warning lamps that turn on in their BMW E36 cars and they don’t actually know what they mean. While some warning lamps are self explanatory, some of them are mysteriously weird and I honestly don’t know how the car designers chose them.

Today, I’ve prepared a legend of all (well, I’m not sure if I’m missed something or not) the symbols that you may see in the dashboard of your BMW E36. Below you will find the symbol (indictor) lamp a long with possible reason why it’s turned on.

BTW, I took these from the BMW E36 owners manual, you can refer to that post and download the whole manual if you like.

	Turn signal left/right, green Flashes when the turn signals are in operation.
	Battery charge current, red Goes out after the engine has started. If the lamp comes on during normal vehicle operation: The battery is no longer being charged. Indicates a defect in the generator drive-belt or the charging circuit. Tony: Maybe the alternator has a problem too.
	High beam, blue Lights up when the high beams are switched on or the headlamp flashers are activated.
	Engine oil pressure, red Goes out after the engine has started. May come on briefly at idle when the engine is hot, but must go out again at higher engine speed. If the lamp comes on during normal vehicle operation: stop vehicle and switch off engine immediately. Check engine oil level; if necessary, add oil. If oil level is correct: contact your BMW Retailer. Tony: Maybe your car is leaking oil, check for that too
	Foglamps, green Lights up whenever you switch on the foglamps.
	Airbags, red This lamp turns on for an operational check when you turn the ignition key to position 1. If, at the operation check, it does not go on, or goes on while driving, have it checked at your BMW Retailer.
	Automatic transmission, yellow Goes out after the engine has started.
	ASC+T (Automatic Stability Control plus Traction), yellow Goes out shortly after the ignition is switched on: System OK.
	ABS (Antilock Brake System), yellow Goes out after the engine has started. If the lamp comes on during normal vehicle operation: ABS has been deactivated in response to a system malfunction. Conventional braking force remains unimpaired.
	Brake pad wear, yellow Lights up when starter is actuated and goes out when the engine is started. If the lamp comes on during normal vehicle operation: replace brake pads immediately.
	Brake hydraulics, red Goes out after the engine has started. If the lamp comes on during normal vehicle operation: low brake fluid.
	Parking brake, red Goes out after the engine has started. Comes on when you engage the parking brake.
	Emissions-related systems Lamp goes out once engine starts. If this indicator lamp lights up during normal vehicle operation, either continuously or intermittently, this indicates a fault in one of the emissions related electronic circuits. Although the vehicle remains operational, you should have the systems checked by a BMW Retailer at the earliest possible opportunity. Tony: This indicates that you’re having a problem and you should check it as soon as possible
	Please fasten safety belts, red (With acoustic signal if the driver’s belt is not buckled). Lights up briefly when the ignition key is turned, and then goes out (in some models it goes out after you fasten safety belts).
	BMW Convertible Rollover Protection System, yellow Goes out shortly after the ignition is switched on: System OK.

BMW E36 Blog: The ultimate BMW E36 M3 information source.