View Full Version : a few questions, seats, sunroof, defroster, other stuff


Rolf Karlstad
11-11-2008, 05:53 AM
I've got a few questions, and I keep forgetting to post them.. So, here goes, if I can remember them all.

1995 840Ci

1. My front seats only tip to the side if you press up on the control in the middle. I'm guessing this is not the way they are supposed to be working. Is this anything like the fix for a '95 530i's headrest adjuster? Did something fall out of the socket? If I press the control all the way down, both seats become flat again. I'm pretty sure both seats tip towards the outside, though I can't be sure.

2. This car is, after all, 13 years old-ish, maybe 14. The fabric liner has de-glued itself from the sunroof. Also, the sunroof may or may not tip, it did at first, but not after sucking some of the liner up into the assembly. The liner is currently removed, and I guess I'm mostly asking how much of a headache it is to get it disassembled to the point where I can spray-adhesive it back on.

3. The headlights are all messed up, which is to say all the adjusters are shot, cracked, broken, etc. I seem to recall reading somewhere that BMW extended the warranty on these to 15 years, but I might have been dreaming. I found a fix involving plumbing caps on the internet somewhere, but is there a more advisable fix, like finding and installing Euro lights instead of the glass-heavy and prone to breakage american lights?

4. My rear defroster seems a little spotty. This is the first car I've seen with like 30 elements instead of 10, and I'm not at all sure where they are, it almost seems like they are sandwiched inside layers of glass. A couple of the elements aren't working, but most of them do. Is there a fix other than replacing the whole rear glass?

5. Initially it worked, but for some reason it seems that the passengers side lever to raise the seat for access to the rear no longer works. I'm glad it didn't stop working when someone was back there! See #1, i guess. Seems like there are a couple issues with these seats. Can I remove them safely without messing with the airbag sensor if I can't get them to the full up / forward position? Sort of seems like they ought to come out for some fixes.

6. The indicator light in the auto shift assembly is all floating around in there, it will indicate 2 when I'm in D, etc..

7. I have the fancy climate control system (do any 8-series not?) and the A/C is always on, regardless of the position of the AC switch, though it seems to blow colder when it is on. Sometimes it will turn off, but mostly it's on unless I have the heat turned way up. What's up with this?

8. and possibly related to the above... driving around base, from Wheeler to Schofield, I seem to get about 11 mpg. On the highway I can get 22 or so, but this seems a skosh low. I noticed that this car did have the emissions 'upgrade' performed, don't recall which one, but it struck a chord with the attempt BMW made to stave off the nikasil issue by maybe makiing the engine run hotter. Wondering if this might have something to do with it, and whether or not I might have a Dinan chip would remove that programming or exacerbate it. 11 isn't bad, I guess... but it seems like my '95 530 got so much better, maybe 17-18 in the city and 26ish on the highway. Granted I got another liter of displacement, but...

Thanks for any help, folks. appreciate it.
Well, I'm sure I'll remember more.

Just thought I would throw this out there to see if I can get any guidance. Thanks!

Tonn
11-11-2008, 07:12 AM
1. Search the forums for "seat problem" or something like that, it seems that every 8 has had this problem. The seat cables shrink over time but their insulation don`t so the cable will unplug from the motor, fix is to cut the insulation shorter and plug the cables back to the motor. The motor is located in the front of the seat, behind the map pocket, left and right side cables coming out each end IIRC. I don`t think you have to pull the seats to access them but if you do then disconnect the batteries before unpluging the seat, then the airbag light won`t go on.

Can`t help on other stuff though... it took under an hour for the stealer to fix the gear inicator though so that might be just something fallen off from somewhere.

Hobz
11-11-2008, 09:52 AM
6: Pull the shift knob off, then the shift boot. This lets you access three screws holding the gear indicater panel off (mind the cables and the rod connecting the indicator mechanism to the actual shift lever. The indicator mechanism itself is adjustable via a detented strip so you can slide it around until it matches your gear again.

On mine the mechanism was slightly broken so I took the whole thing apart and put it together again with some helpings of adhesive, which took some playing around but now it works great.

TxGR8White
11-11-2008, 11:00 AM
2. Either have the headlier reupholstered (recovered) or purchase a new one. Common problem
3. Headlight's can be repaired by purchasing new buckets (about $110 each). Euro headlights will run you over a thousand (they also have adjuster issues, but those are alot easier to repair).
4. Only fix is to replace rear glass.
5. Seat lever (chrome "handle") needs to be replaced. BMW has an updated handle that is alot sturdier - common failure, and it will take 10 minutes to replace (you do not need to remove the seat).
6. The clip that attaches to the shift lever has most likely come undone. There is a possibility that the selector assembly may be damaged (several plastic gears in there), in that case replace (not an expensive part).
7. everyone has that climate control system - normal
8. Don't know - I drive a V12 and those numbers look normal to me.

If you need anything else, holler

wedge31
11-11-2008, 03:51 PM
"The headlights are all messed up, which is to say all the adjusters are shot, cracked, broken, etc. I seem to recall reading somewhere that BMW extended the warranty on these to 15 years, but I might have been dreaming"


Can anybody confirm if the BMW 15 year guarantee exists?

Koizumi
11-11-2008, 04:13 PM
Trying to get BMW to honor the headlight guarantee is like finding a leprechaun on Hollywood Blvd who is well-versed in ancient hieratic, ebonics & mandarin. Nothing is impossible, but...

Your best bet is to rebuild them. Not sure about the Euro or J-spec lights, but for US-spec cars, you can purchase new headlight adjuster kits and make custom 1/4" copper pipe cap ends to accommodate the adjuster ball joints. I posted a thread regarding this matter, including pics, a short time ago on this forum.

Luko840
11-11-2008, 05:21 PM
I've got a few questions, and I keep forgetting to post them.. So, here goes, if I can remember them all.

1995 840Ci

1. My front seats only tip to the side if you press up on the control in the middle. I'm guessing this is not the way they are supposed to be working. Is this anything like the fix for a '95 530i's headrest adjuster? Did something fall out of the socket? If I press the control all the way down, both seats become flat again. I'm pretty sure both seats tip towards the outside, though I can't be sure.

2. This car is, after all, 13 years old-ish, maybe 14. The fabric liner has de-glued itself from the sunroof. Also, the sunroof may or may not tip, it did at first, but not after sucking some of the liner up into the assembly. The liner is currently removed, and I guess I'm mostly asking how much of a headache it is to get it disassembled to the point where I can spray-adhesive it back on.

3. The headlights are all messed up, which is to say all the adjusters are shot, cracked, broken, etc. I seem to recall reading somewhere that BMW extended the warranty on these to 15 years, but I might have been dreaming. I found a fix involving plumbing caps on the internet somewhere, but is there a more advisable fix, like finding and installing Euro lights instead of the glass-heavy and prone to breakage american lights?

4. My rear defroster seems a little spotty. This is the first car I've seen with like 30 elements instead of 10, and I'm not at all sure where they are, it almost seems like they are sandwiched inside layers of glass. A couple of the elements aren't working, but most of them do. Is there a fix other than replacing the whole rear glass?

5. Initially it worked, but for some reason it seems that the passengers side lever to raise the seat for access to the rear no longer works. I'm glad it didn't stop working when someone was back there! See #1, i guess. Seems like there are a couple issues with these seats. Can I remove them safely without messing with the airbag sensor if I can't get them to the full up / forward position? Sort of seems like they ought to come out for some fixes.

6. The indicator light in the auto shift assembly is all floating around in there, it will indicate 2 when I'm in D, etc..

7. I have the fancy climate control system (do any 8-series not?) and the A/C is always on, regardless of the position of the AC switch, though it seems to blow colder when it is on. Sometimes it will turn off, but mostly it's on unless I have the heat turned way up. What's up with this?

8. and possibly related to the above... driving around base, from Wheeler to Schofield, I seem to get about 11 mpg. On the highway I can get 22 or so, but this seems a skosh low. I noticed that this car did have the emissions 'upgrade' performed, don't recall which one, but it struck a chord with the attempt BMW made to stave off the nikasil issue by maybe makiing the engine run hotter. Wondering if this might have something to do with it, and whether or not I might have a Dinan chip would remove that programming or exacerbate it. 11 isn't bad, I guess... but it seems like my '95 530 got so much better, maybe 17-18 in the city and 26ish on the highway. Granted I got another liter of displacement, but...

Thanks for any help, folks. appreciate it.
Well, I'm sure I'll remember more.

Just thought I would throw this out there to see if I can get any guidance. Thanks!

Hi Rolf, I just wana say thankyou for this post as it makes me feel so much better to know im not alone in the world. Your car is the same model, colour, and year as mine and has all the same faults. :buttrock Thankyou!

TxGR8White
11-11-2008, 05:52 PM
Trying to get BMW to honor the headlight guarantee is like finding a leprechaun on Hollywood Blvd who is well-versed in ancient hieratic, ebonics & mandarin. Nothing is impossible, but...

Your best bet is to rebuild them. Not sure about the Euro or J-spec lights, but for US-spec cars, you can purchase new headlight adjuster kits and make custom 1/4" copper pipe cap ends to accommodate the adjuster ball joints. I posted a thread regarding this matter, including pics, a short time ago on this forum.


Wrong, the adjuster kits are no longer available, you need to buy the buckets (they have the upgraded adjusters already installed. You can use the copper pipe thing, but I had some replacement aluminum thimble ends made that replicate the original crappy plastic ones. This is the way to go. Not saying the copper end pieces won't work, just on my daily driver they also crapped out after about a years worth of driving.

Koizumi
11-11-2008, 06:03 PM
Wow not available anymore? That sucks. My copper caps have a shitload of loctite on the screws. They ain't going nowhere!

PS. The headlight buckets are a crap design. It's also worth it to replace the adjuster thimble with a set of those custom thimbles. They really make a nice difference over the idiotic OEM thimble.

TxGR8White
11-11-2008, 06:23 PM
Wow not available anymore? That sucks. My copper caps have a shitload of loctite on the screws. They ain't going nowhere!

PS. The headlight buckets are a crap design. It's also worth it to replace the adjuster thimble with a set of those custom thimbles. They really make a nice difference over the idiotic OEM thimble.


copper cap is the same thing as the aluminum thimble. It wasn't the locktite that gave out on my copper caps, It was the little screws eating into the plastic ball to the point where it finally fell out. Really only good for a temporary fix..( also alot cheaper than the $14 per thimble I had to pay to get them made).

Koizumi
11-11-2008, 07:07 PM
I see. Looks like you guys have shitty roads like we do! I will monitor them over time.

I really do like those replacement custom "outer" thimbles with the flathead screwdriver gash. They really make adjusting the lighting aim a lot easier. I forget who made 'em but they are a must for US-spec buckets IMO.

TxGR8White
11-11-2008, 07:08 PM
I made them...

Koizumi
11-11-2008, 07:10 PM
I made them...

It was you? Nice!

Cheers

samsonevickis
11-11-2008, 07:47 PM
I made them...

haha

Good job.