BMW E36 Blog

Hi Guys, One of the issues that were annoying me about my car is the OBC (On Board Computer) check button. Whenever I press that button, I was receiving this row of orange squares that I didn’t know what they meant. After a while, I thought this meant the car was ok and that there’s nothing wrong to report until today when I found an article that’s talking about this exact problem and how to unlock the check functionality. It turned out that the row of orange boxes (which looks like a full battery) meant that the check functionality is disabled in the car and that you have to enable it simply by following some easy steps.

Disclaimer: Use this info at your own risk!! I’m not responsible if this didn’t work for you :-).

To unlock your car’s check button functionality:

1. Hold down 1000 and 10 to get access to the hidden menus. [TEST –]

Note: please notice that this may not work if you didn’t unlock the hidden menus in your OBC using TEST 19. If you don’t know how to do this, please refer to my previous post BMW On Board Computer (OBD) secrets!.

2. Enter 11, and press Set/Reset. You will notice this on the OBC screen [EINHEIT 1: xx] (xx will be a number)
3. Change this EINHEIT 1 value to 71, using the 10 and 1 buttons, then press Set/Reset.
4. Press the 1000 button once to move to the next value which is [EINHEIT 2 xx] (xx will be a number)
5. Change this EINHEIT 2 value to FF, using the 10 and 1 buttons, then press Set/Reset.

Note: I’ve found that this value was already set correctly on my OBC.

6. After that, just press your "check" button.

I’ve tried this on my car and I have to admit it didn’t work completely as expected. Now, I receive this "Check Control Inactive" error which apparently trying to tell me that I’m one step short from making this work on my car.

Video of my car OBC after unlocking check functionality

So, if anyone can help with this, please let me know.

If your car is:
325i 1994 or 318is 1993: Set EINHEIT 1 value to 71
320i 1994: Set EINHEIT 1 value to 7B
328i 1995: Set EINHEIT 1 value to BA
M3 1997,1998: Set EINHEIT 1 value to B3

BMW E36 Blog: The ultimate BMW E36 information source.

I have found this DIY (Do It Yourself) procedure that will help you to replace your BMW E36 spark plug. I know that you may think this task is very easy. But I think this article has some great information about spark plugs and about the oil that may be leaking inside your engine. So, read it carefully, I’m sure you’ll find it interesting.

Concerning the type of spark plugs that you should use for your E36, I prefer going with the Bosch spark plugs for my BMW, but again it’s up to you to decide which type to use. NGK is another good alternative, but I still prefer Bosch over it.

Disclaimer: Use this info at your own risk!! I’m not responsible if this didn’t work for you :-).

You can read the full article here

 

Are you looking for more do it yourself procedures (DIY) ? I recommend the Bentley BMW 3 series service manual for you. I got it and I think it’s a gold mine for us -BMW E36 Owners-. If you didn’t grab your copy yet, get it right now! I’m sure you’ll find this book worth every penny you’ve paid for. Get the Bentley BMW 3 series service manual

BMW E36 Blog: The ultimate BMW E36 information source.

Although, I know that my headlights are not the best headlights available for BMW E36, but I like them very much. First, because of their rings color (light blue) which fits perfectly on my silver car. Second, because they’re a single unit headlights with a corner. I hate the 2 part headlights. The problem is that my headlights are getting old and they always look dirty even after washing the car. So, I was thinking of replacing them and while I’m looking for some alternatives, I have found some great headlights that I didn’t even know they exist. I prepared a list of them below. Check them out. I’m sure that many of you hate the standard headlights of BMW E36 and are willing to give their cars a new look. I also added a rating for both style and quality for each of these products which is based totally on my taste. Have fun!

	92-98 BMW E36 2DR DEPO HALO PROJECTOR HEADLIGHTS CORNER Info : click here Style : Quality: Price : $182.00
	92-98 BMW E36 4DR PROJECTOER HEADLIGHT CORNER 93 94 95 Info : click here Style : Quality: Price : $81.99
	92 93 94 95 96 97 98 BMW E36 2DR BLACK HALO HEADLIGHT Info : click here Style : Quality: Price : $120.00
	92-98 BMW E36 2DR CHROME HALO PROJECTOR HEAD LIGHTS Info : click here Style : Quality: Price : $113.95
	BMW E36 PROJECTOR ZKW ANGEL EYE EYES CCFL HEADLIGHTS Info : click here Style : Quality: Price : $188.99
	92-98 BMW E36 BLACK HALO PROJECTOR HEADLIGHT 318I 328I Info : click here Style : Quality: Price : $82.99
	92-98 BMW E36 3-SERIES 4DR HALO PROJECTOR HEAD LIGHTS Info : click here Style : Quality: Price : $87.90
	92-98 BMW E36 2DR 318 325 328 HALO PROJECTOR HEADLIGHTS Info : click here Style : Quality: Price : $87.99
	92-98 BMW E36 4DR HALO PROJECTOR HEADLIGHTS BLACK 325I Info : click here Style : Quality: Price : $93.99
	92-98 BMW E36 323i/325i/328i PROJECTOR HEAD LIGHT BLACK Info : click here Style : Quality: Price : $98.00
	E36 3-Series 92-98 Black ECE-spec Projector Headlights Info : click here Style : Quality: Price : $123.99
	92-98 BMW E36 2DR 318/325/328 BLK PROJECTOR HEADLIGHTS Info : click here Style : Quality: Price : $109.99
	92-98 BMW E36 318/325/328/M3 2DR PROJECTOR HEADLIGHTS Info : click here Style : Quality: Price : $113.00
	92-98 BMW E36 2D HALO PROJECTOR HEAD LIGHTS 318 325 328 Info : click here Style : Quality: Price : $86.99

BMW E36 Blog: The ultimate BMW E36 information source.

I have found this video of a BMW E36 318is with a turbo. I timed it and it went from 0 to 60 in 6.3 seconds. I think this is very good for a BMW 318is. I know that modifying a 318 is not a good thing to do and it’s better to start on a 325 or something. But I like this result for the 318is. What do you think guys?

Enjoy…

I hope you liked the video . . . if not, come on let’s see your videos 😉

BMW E36 Blog: The ultimate BMW E36 information source.

In case you didn’t notice, I’ve added a new service to BMW E36 Blog. Take a look here:

This service is being provided by JustAnswer.com. By using this service you can get help to fix a problem with your car from one of their great experts. The service costs you 15$ normally. You have two other options in which you can pay 9$ if you have a tight budget or 30$ for a really urgent question. I know that some of you will say that I can ask on the forums or here on the BMW E36 Blog, but I really don’t recommend the forums, because you don’t always know who’s the guy that’s answering. you don’t know if he even has a good experience in what he’s talking about.

I contacted Ron from JustAnswer.com and asked him if they have experts in BMW E36 cars and he sent me information about two of their experts in that car:

William B is BMW Master Certified, Auto Service Technician. 100% Positive Feedback on 297 Car Accepts. Associate Degree Automotive Technology, Master ASE, Master BMW, Master Mazda, 30+ years experience

here’s a sample of his answers:
http://car.justanswer.com/bmw/p4ao-1992-bmw-318i-serious-gas-leak

Doctor D Specializing in BMW cars. But also has extensive experience with all other Lines. He has ASE Master Tech, Rotary Club, AAA FL State Finalist, All data information specialist, IATN Member

here’s a sample of his answers:
http://car.justanswer.com/questions/uuq5-1994-bmw-325-water-pump-radiator

I hope you like this new service. I recommend you to try it, if you have a problem with your car that needs expert help. I’m sure you’ll find it great.

BMW E36 Blog: The ultimate BMW E36 information source.