BMW E36 Blog

I wrote before about the BMW Auto Folding Mirrors, and I also found a video for BMW Auto Folding Mirrors in action. The problem with that video was that you needed to operate the mirrors manually. This means that whenever you start your car, you will need to press the button to unfold the mirrors and after you turn your engine off, you will need to fold them back. This isn’t cool IMAHO. So, with today’s video, I found that there’s a component that can control the auto folding mirrors and to operate them using the car’s switch. So, when you turn your engine on, the mirrors will automatically unfold and when you turn it off, the mirrors will fold. Cool … don’t you think? I believe this is a very straight forward task and if you have some knowledge you may even be able to create that component yourself 😈

Take a look, I hope you like it.

BMW E36 Blog: The Ultimate E36 Information Source.

It has been some time now since I decided to upgrade my lighting system to use HID. Last week, I decided to go ahead and did a quick search and found a HID system that is being sold at Amazon under the name Xentec. Honestly, they seemed like they’re a respectable company and the product looked good too, so I ordered my 6000K HID from them.

I received the package yesterday and it looked like this:

After I removed all the parts from the box, it looked like this:

Honestly, they looked good and I was expecting the best out of this brand. So, I didn’t waste any time. I installed the HID system in my car (there’s a DIY about how to install the HID in your car here and BTW, you don’t need to use any relays). Everything went great and the car looked like this:

So, I was very happy with the result and the HID color was just fantastic. Looked OEM. So, I went home and decided to write a post about this company and to recommend it to you, the readers of the BMW E36 Blog. I also decided to shoot a video of how it looks at night and about the visibility. So, I waited until it became dark and went to the car to shoot the video.

I was shocked to find out that the left light didn’t turn on. First, I thought the problem was in the wiring, so, I checked everything and couldn’t find any problem. Finally, I discovered, after some diagnostics, that the left Ballast has failed. Can you believe that? it didn’t work more than half hour and it’s already dead.

I’ve replaced that ballast and now everything looks awesome, but I’m still worried the other ballast will fail really soon. I hope not though.

Bottom line… don’t go with Xentec. I’m sorry, but a ballast that can’t serve more than half hour is just rubbish.

BMW E36 Blog: The ultimate E36 information source.

I wrote about the BMW E36 Harmon Kardon Audio System and it seems there is a lot of confusion about the number and locations of the speakers in that system. Today, I found a photo that will show the exact locations of the 10-speakers in that audio system. Take a look:

Also, pay attention to the location of the amplifier in the trunk.

After I saw this picture, I think there are two speakers in the footwell of the BMW E36, but I’m not sure if they’re working in my car or not. I know that my BMW E30 used to have 2 speakers in the footwell (left and right) and 2 speakers in the back. In the BMW E36, I just thought that the speakers inside the doors are just a replacement for the front speakers in the BMW E30. I should’ve checked these speakers in the footwell to verify their existence when I saw them, but it’s never too late. I’ve checked them today and they’re working fine. It’s cool to discover that there are actually 6 speakers inside the non HK systems.

BMW E36 Blog: The ultimate E36 information source.

I found these auto folding mirrors on eBay:

They are actually made for the BMW E46 M3 cars, not the BMW E36 ones, but I think the styling of these mirrors will fit in a BMW E36 and especially BMW E36 M3’s. The rounded housing looks nice (it can be better though). These mirrors also come with heated & blue coated lenses. So, I think they will be a nice addition to a BMW E36 car. But I’m not 100% sure if they will fit in your cars exactly because I didn’t try them. I’m also not sure if these mirrors have the reverse feature of the auto-folding mirrors. But on anyway, I think that having such mirrors that will fold when you turn your engine off will be a cool touch, don’t you think?

I’m not sure if you’re going to like them, but I have a feeling that they will look great. What do you guys think?

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.