20 Most Recent 1997 BMW 328 - Page 7 Questions & Answers

u need to replace the ignition lock and its expensive. what i did was by-passed it by drilling out the spring inside the lock. its very easy and only takes about 5 min. u wont have to take anything apart all u need is a drill and a 3/8 drill bit. under your steering wheel u will see where to drill. here is a picture of what it looks like. (see below). drill in the middle and if u dont see the spring u may need to drill another hole right above. no worries the holes do no hame if u need to drill more then one. one the spring is out all u need to do is wiggle the steering wheel back and forth and it will work again. hope this helps

Battery is in the trunk on the right side under the tool tray.

Now im not sure since the manual says your model has the same alarm system as the 328i and on the 328i you can remove the module to disable by doing the following. you can unplug the control module. It is located under the glove box. Climb under the dash on the passenger side and remove a few screws on the trim panel under the glove box. Theres a black control module with a green connector. There should be a lock tab on the connector. press the lock tab and pull out the connector. The alarm should now be disabled. But if it has the special transponder key this may not work.
But if the only reason you want to disable it is because of the motion sensor setting of the alarm for no reason there is a solution for this. To disable the motion sensor, hit the lock button to arm, then hit lock button again within four seconds to disable motion sensor. Red light on rearview mirror should flash four times, then pause, then start flashing on regular intervals. this is most likely the reason if your having the issue where the alarm goes off every 20 minutes.
If you want to completely remove it below is a wiring diagram taken from the manual for you alarm system.
this is from the manual its the alarm wiring diagram.
Battery Constant 12v Positive Wire ( ): Red/White or RedBattery Constant 12v Positive Wire Location: Ignition Switch Harness
Starter Positive Wire ( ): Black/Yellow or Black
Starter Positive Wire Location: Ignition Switch Harness
Ignition Positive Wire ( ): Green
Ignition Positive Wire Location: Ignition Switch Harness
Second Ignition Positive Wire ( ): Purple/White or Purple
Second Ignition Positive Wire Location: Ignition Switch Harness
Parking Light Positive Wire ( ): Gray/Purple and Gray/Yellow. Use Both Wires. This vehicle has a dual parking light system that will require 2 extra relays.
Parking Light Positive Wire Location: At Headlight Switch
Power Door Lock Positive Wire ( ): White/Red
Power Door Lock Positive Wire Location: At Factory Alarm Plug. The alarm plug is a black 12 pin plug located just behind the glove box.
Power Door Unlock Positive Wire ( ): Blue/Red
Power Door Unlock Positive Wire Location: At Factory Alarm Plug. The alarm plug is a black 12 pin plug located just behind the glove box.
Door Trigger Negative Wire (-): Brown/Gray
Door Trigger Negative Wire Location: At Factory Alarm Plug. The alarm plug is a black 12 pin plug located just behind the glove box.
Domelight Supervision Wire: Turns On With Unlock
Domelight Supervision Wire Location: N/A
Horn Negative Wire (-): Brown/Red or Brown/Yellow
Horn Negative Wire Location: At Steering Column Harness
Tachometer Wire Negative Wire (-): Black
Tachometer Wire Negative Wire Location: At Instrument Cluster
Brake Light Positive Wire ( ): Blue/Red or Green/Red
Brake Light Positive Wire Location: At Switch Above Brake Pedal
Factory Alarm Disarm Wire (-): Disarms With Factory Remote Only. Factory Alarm Disarm Wire Location: N/A
Factory Anti-Theft System: Transponder Anti-Theft System, Requires Bypass And Extra Ignition Key. The 1997 model year vehicle may require a bypass module and an extra ignition key, if vehicle is equipped with a special key from BMW.
Factory Anti-Theft System Location: Transponder At Ignition Switch Tumbler
if you require further assistance please let me know and i will help assist you from there. Thanks, Midwest-Tek

remove the radio and post the chassis numbers and the make of the radio and i will try my radio code decoders ,no promises though but who knows

Come on give us more information. Think if you were trying to fix your own problem and you had to explain the problem to someone else with exactly no knowledge of what's going on.

1st off....a key with bad electronics and reader will open the door and that's it.

So that being said does the key turn the engine? If so the key, the program and ecu are ok. Say the engine cranks but doesn't start. Fuel pump. unscrew the access plug on the fuel rail and see if any fuel squirts out. NO......don't ever do this when it's hot..........not that yours is because it doesn't run but I had to say that. The millisecond you turn your key over to get it to try to start...the fuel pump comes on and pressurizes the entire fuel system.

Got fuel pressure, the engine turns but still no start= ignition spark plug engine computer problems.

Turn on the radio so the battery is engaged, or turn on the engine.

2 Fold down the cargo partition in the trunk and lock it on both sides. If the cargo partition is not down, there will be no place in the trunk to store the convertible top.

3 Press the convertible button forward to open the top. It's located under the circular control button on the consul. The button has a picture of a window with one arrow pointing up and another pointing down.

4 Pull the convertible button backward to close the top.

5 Use your key to open or close the top when you are outside of the BMW but still close to it. Press and hold the arrow button on top of your key to open the top. To close the top, press and hold the Lock button. The car does not need to be turned on to operate the top with the key.

Hi,Your starter circuit is OPEN.It cause by defective solenoid on your starter.RegardsRegards

i AM SURE THERE IS A WAY TO DO THAT TAKE THE OVERHEAD COVER THERE IS A SMALL BOX YOU HAVE TO TRY TO OPEN IT WITH A SMALL SCREW DRIVE AND UNSCREW ITAND PULL THE COVER CAREFULY AND YOU WILL SEE THE TOP CONVERTIBLE MOTORE AND DESCONNECT THE WIRE AND RUN A WIRE FROM THE BUTTERY AND CONNECTE IT WITH THE END OF THE MOTORE IF IT DOESN'T MOVE TRY TO SWITCH THE WIRE OK i HOPE THIS WILL HELP YOU ME TOO I HAVE A PROBLEME WITHE MY BMW 323I 1998 THE TOP DOESN'T GO DOWN THE CONVERTIBLE SWUITCH DOESN'T HVE A POWER A REACHING IT IF SOMEONE HAS UNSWER PLEASE SEND ME AN E-MAIL [email protected] THANK GOOD LUCK.

Hi, I had the same problem on my bmw323i 1998 and the computer next to the sterio kip saying brake light cicuit I chanched the brake switch under the brake pedal its kind of hard to replace it but there is a trick to take it off you have to get under the steering wheel and try to ritch it by you hand push the pedal with one hand and use the other hand to pull the red plastic pin I don't know the name you have to pull it out it doesn't come out completely this way let you take it off easy from its place it gave me realy hard time the first try by the way you have to desconnect the the brake switchwire first then you will be ok I did replaced it and solved the problem what I did I went to junck yard and pulled the hole peace because on my bmw the brake swuitch is nomaly attached to a peace of metal that has one screw it was bent but you my need just the suitch new cost my be less than 20 buks I hope this will help you solve your problem if you leave in virginia I will help you out Email me if you have a questions I repare my car by my self my E mail is [email protected] thanks .1col3d

Sounds like bad O2 sensors. Get your car serviced from a reputable BMW mechanic. You'll save time and money going to a BMW guru. Our BMW's have certain quirks that a BMW "Specialist" mechanic can quickly diagnose and repair, thus, saving you time and money.

Hi there, you would be better of taking the vehicle to the delership, there could be lots of complications if not done right.

the air intake temperature--probly need a new sensor or car cud be runnin hot--inspect coolant system--vehicle is almost 15yrs-a test on all sensors is important-use a tech ll scanner

Most laws require you have 2 keys in order to program a third key. If you have only one key, a delaer will have to use a scan tool to program a second key.

Okay here it goes. Disconnect the battery to avoid setting off the airbag. Lower the steering wheel. On top of the cluster is a couple of smal screws that need to be removed. Use a smal scew driver to pry the cluster enough to tilt it out. In the lower area behide the reading is a twist out bulb that you will have to get from the dealer. Now is a good time to change them all. The bulbs are pretty cheap even from the dealer.

Good luck

I have the same Problem... same year , model..
what I noticed with mine was.. My right rear Light cluster is not as 'bright' as the Left side... and I think thats whats triggering the msg.. When I pulled the bulbs out.. (one in particular) the Metal contacts inside the socket, were corroded and half of it looked 'dissolved' from corrosion .. Havent remedied it yet.. may have to replace the whole light assembly... but, thought I'd mention it to you as a place to start.. / look.. G'luck ! g

check your car and replace once again to the right position.

I have a 94 325 - it will go throught the motions but I still need to help it - once the back is open I need to push the front back then it will go in for the back to close - now from my understanding it has something to do with the cables that pull the top back - I also need to tuck the liner in the back compartment and for the cost of them cables _ I'll do what I'mm doing