Sensor madness or what? I am getting "Washer fluid low" even though I have topped off both washer fluid resevoirs. "Lic. Plate light" warning, only when the lights are on, planning on putting in fresh bulbs tomorrow. Intermittently I get a Brake light warning or sometimes a "Brake light LT circuit". I have been searcing and if I understand correctly this is probably a sensor connected to the brake pedal right? There are a few lights out in third brake light bar too.
Also noticed that the glass does not open on the hatch. Had I not been searching through old post learning about Tourings and fixes I would have never learned the glass can be opened seperately .

1. So checking the Washer fluid sensor tomorrow. Okay where is it?

2. Changing all of the Rear light bulbs. OEM

3. Checking and possibly changing the Brake circuit(?) above the brake pedal

4. Hatch Glass????

Please advise, thanks

the last three errors are linked to your rear hatch harness...

i get the same errors as you, but my glass wants to open though...

the low coolant/low washer fluid errors are the sensor, they are a known failure point on E34's

the last three errors are linked to your rear hatch harness...

i get the same errors as you, but my glass wants to open though...

the low coolant/low washer fluid errors are the sensor, they are a known failure point on E34's


+1 for the sensors. Replace the sensors, clean up the harnesses for the sensors at the connections, get fed up and jumper the sensor connections. I don't own a touring but it seems like the rear harness would be a great place to start checking out your light message issues.

I know the dinging is maddening but you need to do some diagnosis before buying parts you may not need. Get an electrical multi meter and a few test leads(the wires w/alligator clips on the ends, small clips to fit inside connectors) for about $25. Wiper fluid sensors are friction fit into sides of reservoirs; look at the rear one first b/c its easy to acess. Release tab & pull black connector off(just thought sensors can rotate so make sure connect points up). Test sensor pins for resistance; should be 0 ohms. Connect wiring pins w/one test lead & see if you still get warning. Getting warning means that wiring and/or front one is bad. I'd next check the front one to eliminate it; unscrew the big black plastic nut to rear of filler cap b/c sensor is on the fender side below hood strut arm & tilt forward then lift to expose it. Good luck, James

Great info!

Thanks will do and will report back.

x3...

print out and read over the .pdf on the hatch harnesses. I think I wrote something up about my easy way to access them last time I fixed mine.

IF you have a drill battery (9.6 or 12v) you should be able to pop the glass after taking the hatch interior piece off. It can be a pita, but it is possible to do it.

Good luck, wish you were local so I could give a hand.

x3...

print out and read over the .pdf on the hatch harnesses. I think I wrote something up about my easy way to access them last time I fixed mine.

IF you have a drill battery (9.6 or 12v) you should be able to pop the glass after taking the hatch interior piece off. It can be a pita, but it is possible to do it.

Good luck, wish you were local so I could give a hand.

Thank you very much for the offer. That is very kind of you. If ever I am out Texas way I'll buy. I actually might get to go to Texas late spring. I have to go Arkansas to inspect some property I inherited. Road Trip!!!
I just hope I have enough time to get to this tomorrow.

Sensor madness or what? I am getting "Washer fluid low" even though I have topped off both washer fluid resevoirs. "Lic. Plate light" warning, only when the lights are on, planning on putting in fresh bulbs tomorrow. Intermittently I get a Brake light warning or sometimes a "Brake light LT circuit". I have been searcing and if I understand correctly this is probably a sensor connected to the brake pedal right? There are a few lights out in third brake light bar too.
Also noticed that the glass does not open on the hatch. Had I not been searching through old post learning about Tourings and fixes I would have never learned the glass can be opened seperately .

1. So checking the Washer fluid sensor tomorrow. Okay where is it?

2. Changing all of the Rear light bulbs. OEM

3. Checking and possibly changing the Brake circuit(?) above the brake pedal

4. Hatch Glass????

Please advise, thanks

Since everyone covered #2 thru #4...I'll take a stab at #1. Did you check the rear washer reservoir? There's a tank that holds washer fluid for the rear wiper. You can see the tank when you open the fold down door on the (right) passenger side in the cargo area. But to fill it...the fill cap is in the tailgate channel...you can see it when you lift the tailgate.

You can see the tank and the motor that sits behind the fold down door in the (left) pic below...and if you look at the pic on the right (and you can partially see it in the pic on the left)...you can see a black rubber cap just to the right of the tailgate gasket & just above the passenger side tail light...that's where you fill the tank:

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/433000-433999/433594_315.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/433000-433999/433594_313.jpg

Thank you for the detail intructions,they are much appreciated. That said, yes I already discovered the little cap in the drain channel. Topped both resevoirs off but I am still getting the warning.

pics on how to open glass plz, i have someone coming tomorrow to pick up my old 94' volvo wagon (here (http://providence.craigslist.org/car/502337802.html))then im taking a tiny road trip to pick up my 92 525it (here (http://nh.craigslist.org/car/499419842.html), yah yah i know im cheap, but it should be a nice project car), the guy never said the glass could open, sweet, oh and the sunroof(s) confuses me, any pics?

also about the tourings, normal e34 parts work for it right? like tail lights and strut bars?

not taillights, and not rear strutbars. Rear doorpanels are different.
on't uderstand your sunroof confuses me comment... press switch back to open front, press forward to open rear, press middle of it straight up to close.

To get both open, open rear fully, then open front and they will move together.

take the inside trim off (the lower 1/2 that the toolbox is on), and then jump 12 to the glass motor.

damn :( and i was hoping to put my dads old clear tail lights to use, how bout just the sides and not the center part where its connected to the trunk lid

it confuses me because ive never seen one in action, it adds a air mystery to my dream car (95 M5 touring)

omg ur touring is gorgeous, that ranks as the second most beautiful car ive seen, first is a 02 M5 i saw at best buy the looked like it would kill u just for looking at it, it was blacker then black with stock tail lights, but the front was like wow(lost the pic *%*#&$*)

damn :( and i was hoping to put my dads old clear tail lights to use, how bout just the sides and not the center part where its connected to the trunk lid

it confuses me because ive never seen one in action, it adds a air mystery to my dream car (95 M5 touring)
I feel you, but unfortunately no. they are completely different.

Rumour mill says Radicast in sweden may have the clear rear turn signal lenses available again, but you will have to cut out the ambers and fit them to the existing lights.

that would add a 4th option for Touring taillights...
( The other 3 are: leave em amber, red them out with candy red paint, or paint them with niteshades)

so its take out the dremel or paint em.... i mean if i get the black touring (theres a white one down the street for sale but it has blue leather....) the niteshade thing seems like it would be a nice idea, i just googled it, did u do that? to all ur lights or just the back? they seem really red to be stock or did u do the candy red to those? oh and if u did use it how many coats to the amber parts? im thinking 3

PO did the niteshades on em. they are that red.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b106/AttackEagle/bimmer/100_1524.jpg

the exterior shots should answer your questions about what is smoked

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2437605/2

yah i was looking at ur site but couldn't find a front view of ur car. with ur corners y not get clear corners and then shade em?

so when i get mine i need to buy some of the night shade stuff, get a lip spoiler, buy some clear corners from a friend of mine (then shade), smoke the reflectors, get a set of e39 m5 wheels, im liking the black kidneys but not sure yet, and new roundels (black and white instead of blue and white)

oh and tint, to hide the tan interior, to bad the most i can get is 45 :(

To open the tailgate, see arrow 1 in image below...and to open the glass hatch see arrow 2 in image below. There are rubber pads underneath the lip that you push on to activate the latch:

(arrow 1 tailgate & arrow 2 glass hatch________(tailgate opened)__________________(glass hatch opened)
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/433000-433999/433594_358.jpg_____ http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/433000-433999/433594_313.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/433000-433999/433594_312.jpg

The Touring sunroof switch is slightly larger than the ones in the sedan...but operates pretty much the same way. Attack Eagle pretty much covered it...but there are a few nuances. The front panel raises upward in the rear and moves slightly backward over the top of the rear panel (the VENT position) before any other movement happens regardless of what direction you move the switch...then you can press the switch again to move the panel you want in the direction you want it to go.

Again, if you want both panels open...you have to open either panel to it's furthest destination...then press the switch in the opposite direction and both panels will move together.

To close any of the panels (regardless of configuration) push upward on the switch and the system will close all by itself (one-touch):

(front panel open)
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/433000-433999/433594_316.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/433000-433999/433594_317.jpg

(rear panel open)
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/433000-433999/433594_321.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/433000-433999/433594_320.jpg

(both panels opened)
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/433000-433999/433594_318.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/433000-433999/433594_319.jpg

Below is a pic of my Touring's sunroof switch. The switch is illuminated and the pic below was taken to show the replacement bulb I soldered in to replace the orignal bulb that was burnt out:

http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/q/original/lit%20sunroof%20switch.jpg

yah i was looking at ur site but couldn't find a front view of ur car. with ur corners y not get clear corners and then shade em?

so when i get mine i need to buy some of the night shade stuff, get a lip spoiler, buy some clear corners from a friend of mine (then shade), smoke the reflectors, get a set of e39 m5 wheels, im liking the black kidneys but not sure yet, and new roundels (black and white instead of blue and white)

oh and tint, to hide the tan interior, to bad the most i can get is 45 :(

Why not get clear corners and shade them? Well since rear clear corners have never been available since I have owned the car, it would have looked terrible to have smoke clears and smoke ambers mixed. Smoked ambers are legal, clears are not.

no for the front, the back i understand since it must cost a arm and a leg for touring tail lights.

damn im stuck, im going right now to see a 318ti (i call it the retard brother) and tomorrow the 525it, grr dont know. on one hand i could get the 328ti and be the average college kid with a fancy bmw or i can get the touring and be different.

f*#k it im gonna join the elite, im gonna become a touring owner, and then sell my 325i to fund the fancy work the touring needs (also the fact that i cant insure 2 bmws, no way)

that is why they wouldn't match front to rear... I don't like the smoked clears or after market smoked corners because they do not reflect amber...
very important since I'm all about not supporting the local policeman's fund.
With E-code 'Smiley' headlights, mine do not light up except when turning... so having amber bulbs wouldn't save me.

ahh i see i see, god i cant wait till tomorrow, on my way back i think i might stop by bavarian autoworks, see what they have.


where did u buy the night shade and how much?? is da intarnet da key?

nvm found some sites, 10 bucks a car isn't bad considering how much new lights cost (cant imagine touring lights), how many coats is good for them?