20 Most Recent 2002 BMW 3 Series - Page 9 Questions & Answers

check to see if your boot is shut

the first thing is to have the computer scaned, autozone parts store scans for free, the code will help in finding the problem, there may be a problem with the fuel sending unit or there may be an evap problem,start by scaning computer,that will help alot.

sounds like its due for a radiator flush

have you tried putting a pin in the jets whilst an assistant operates the washers , somtimes a pin will only move the debris about the pressure of the washers removes it , you may get wet

this means its burning oil , get the compression tested at a garage , it may be rings or valve stem oil seals

Ebay may have listings fot yours. they do cost a bunch anywhere I know but well worth it if you keep a car for many years

good day, you may have problem on your valve cover gasket, you may need to buy a new one for you to prolonged the engine life. hope this helps, have a nice day

check for a wet ecu...

read below on the e36

the ecu compartment is under the windshield on the passenger side on E36

you gain acess to it under the hood....
this compartment gets wet, the ecu lays on a flat surface in that
compartment.

the bottom side of the circuit board gets wet and starts corrosion.

remove the ecu, take the bottom plate off, clean the bottom of the circuit
board with alcohol and a soft tooth brush.

you should be able to see the signs of corrosion or conductive build up.

this gunk bridges solder points doing all sort s of wierd things to your
car, including false sensor readings from asc/abs controllers and other
sensors....

all the way to engine failure and worst case burnt and shorted wiring
harness.

I'm on my 3rd ecu, took me and the repair boys a few years to figure this
one out.

BTW: i would get that ecu mounted above that flat surface, use some sort
of standoff to raise it so that it is not laying in the wet.

Ignition On and turn gentle the button at Instrument cluster.

There is no sensor. The lamp module monitors bulbs. Check the connector on the rear bulb carrier. The ground wires like to corrode and melt the plastic.

when you look under your fuse lid it should list the fuses 1-whatever. look in the plastic it will tell you how to coordinate those fuses to what is labeled like on my bmw the heater fuse says 20 I look in the plastic and 1-10 is the front row 11-20 is the row going from the front of the car to the back closest to pass. side of car row 21-20 is the row closer to the drivers side...etc.

the floor pan plug under the carpet is either broken or fell out! or leaking look under the vehicle and find the hole and see if the plug is there

A. Do you have a Coolant Leak causing the smell? What is the Radiator Coolant Fluid Level? Have you been adding alot of Fluid?
OR
B. Replace the Thermostat. The Thermostat is stuck closed.

Either one A. or B. causing the:
1. Engine to overheat, because there is not enough fluid or the thermostat is stuck closed not allowing fluid to circulate.
2. Heat is not working because the heated (hot coolant) is not travelling to the heater core.

Uninsert it.

It is in the gas tank. Accessed through the back seat. there is a rubber seal between the gas tank access panel. Replace it otherwise you'll smell gas fumes when you're all done, and then you'll have to quit smoking. Who wants to do that....all in the same day. Get your pump online. YOu'll pay half. One pump fits a zillion bmw models. no need to replace the sending unit either.

a fuel pump can still turn on and not pump gas. You will need to check the pressure to be sure..

If its an electrical ignition issue most likely a code will be stored. You will need to retrieve this to continue.

Even if its a fuel pump problem can you remove the tank and replace the pump. If the tank has alot of fuel in it it will be too heavy to do at home.

Getting it professionally diagnosed would be best since it takes diagnostic equipment to deternine the exact cause.

something is loose start with the exhaust system.

vacuum leaks are not always ovious. Take a can of carb cleanner and spray around different areas including intake manifolds. If you have a leak the engine speed will change when you find it.