ok, so here's the deal. i've got a few issues with the bimmer. i'm trying to get it sorted but due to lack of time, it's dragging on, so...

i have a '94 325is. the tranny light coming on and it's going into safe/slug mode. i put a new radiator, waterpump, theromstat, temp sender, etc.. (fan delete) in. just want to verify temps are ok. i bought and mounted a spal electric fan. fan won't come on. i need someone to troubleshoot that. and i need them to look at the lower control arms and bushings. front end feels a bit washy. car has 149,xxx miles on it.

any recommendations for a shop in the charlotte area? i did this once before when i had my RX-7 looked at and it's cost me a few hundred dollars just for the once over. i don't want to do that again. thanks for the help/advice!

Eurocars, talk with Jeff or Gerald. Great guys.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=euro+cars&sll=35.134486,-80.800174&sspn=0.129154,0.245132&ie=UTF8&lr=lang_en&latlng=35134486,-80800174,18290922919873417743

thanks! i'll get in touch with them.

Tell them Travis recommended them

You can call me if you just want a look over and some troubleshooting advice. If you come to the house you can check out my track rat. For the fan is it replacing the stock electric fan? If so there are three wires leading to the temp switch you just put into the radiator. One wire is hot or ground. Don't remember which. One is low speed and one is high speed on the fan. Jumper two of the wires together. If you do not get anything try the other wire. One way or the other should trigger the fan. If it doesn't then you have a power issue. In the fusebox there is a 30 amp fuse for the fan. Make sure that is ok. List on fusebox cover will tell you which one. If that fuse is ok and fan still does not work test for power at the fuse. If you have power at the fuse and fan does not work run set of wires direct from power to fan to make sure fan works. if you get this far and still have issues let me know.

As far as the lower control arms go if they have not been replaced they are due. I have seen quite a few cars of that milage with original control arms. Front control arms and bushings are fairly easy to do with some work arounds to get the bushings pressed in and on. Just make sure you have a torch handy. But front end issues can be as simple as alignment. Wouldn't know for sure until I drove it. There are other wear items in the front end. Struts are obvious but the strut mounts are often overlooked for cost or lazyness reasons. Tie rods and ball joints go. The steering rack can develop a loosness that is only fixable by replacing it.

I would be happy to help you with any of these things. I stay at home with my two young kids most days so we could set this up for during the week or really early on the weekend. I live up by UNCC close to 485. I had a friend that used to live in Waxhaw and when I would visit it was about a 45 minute drive. Come on up. Won't cost you anything but gas. But good beer is appreciated. A quick 15 minute drive should tell me all I need to know. If you do not feel like the car would make it with the tranny issue then I could meet you halfway or so.

BMW E34 and E36 auto trannys suck. BMW farmed out those units to GM and they are notorious for failures. But that being said the tranny issue could be something simple like a loose cable going into the Tranny Control Module or a weak battery. Does it reset itself when you turn the car off and back on? There was a bulleten about replacing the EPROM in the TCM a long time ago. I wonder if your car has that issue. Lots of things can cause it.

Call me if you would like to set something up. 704-363-9034

Ryan

Hey Ryan, I go to UNCC and live on campus. I just got a 1992 535i/5 about 4 weeks ago and have already put 2000+ miles on the baby! Perhaps you'll be able to lend me a helping hand someday as well?:)

I live less than 10 min from campus. I am very familiar with the M30 motor in that car. I had an E34 525 also so I have done just about everything to those cars except pull the motor. Let me know if you have any issues or just want to swing by for a chat.

Ryan

thanks ryan! that's awesome! i'll definitely give you a call. i really appreciate the offer.

What's up, clevertd? I also go to UNCC and live near campus. I was going to recommend Touring Car in Matthews, which is where I've gone many times.

What's up, clevertd? I also go to UNCC and live near campus. I was going to recommend Touring Car in Matthews, which is where I've gone many times.

I actually got my PPI done down there, but didn't get a chance to go down there myself. What's it like? One of my younger brothers buddies is in town (from Western Carolina). He drives a '96 black M3, I'd never been next to one on the highway until last night when he punched it... that thing is pretty quick. Let me know if you wanna get up sometime, I live in Squires.

Another spot I have used for my E30 and E32 is CMD Automotive. Jim Is a factory trained BMW tech. Really good work. Decent prices. 704-527-4009. They are on Griffith Street off South Blvd behind the PEPSI plant, near southend.

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