Help needed

[Jay Frem]

Hi Guys

I just bought my second used BMW 2001 325 CI convertible certified until 2-23-07.

Couple problem have appeared after owning it for 6 days:
- Service Engine Soon sign comes up when you turn ignition to level 1 then goes away after you start the car. What could it be?

- Washer fluid system not funtioning. When you activated you could hear the sound of it i have a feeling it is not pumping water. Any idea? Will this be covered by te BMW 100,000 miles warranty?

-after I floor it a sign comes up occasionaly (a catalog was not included but the dealer promissed to get me one) "!" inside a circle that looks like a gear in yellow color.

- I need to order a spare key. I heard i can go for the plastic one which costs $26 rather than the standard pricey one

Having onwed a BMW(European spec) before problems were more electronics(sensors,alternator...) simple to troubleshoot at any shop that has the software or hydraulics(steering pump, bushings, convertible piston cylinder....) .
I went for used parts as they were easy and cheap to get where i was.

Appreciate your feedback on this.

 

[Detrich]

will do my best to answer what i know:

>>Service Engine Soon sign comes up when you turn ignition to level 1 then goes away after you start the car. What could it be?

i think mine does this too and it's normal. but, i will double-check for you and report back.

>>Washer fluid system not funtioning. When you activated you could hear the sound of it i have a feeling it is not pumping water. Any idea? Will this be covered by te BMW 100,000 miles warranty?

this happened to me last summer too. simply put, the nozzels get clogged. i went to my local service place and they charged me $15 for flushing it. very easy fix apparently.


>>after I floor it a sign comes up occasionaly (a catalog was not included but the dealer promissed to get me one) "!" inside a circle that looks like a gear in yellow color.

the ! with a yellow circle w/ broken lines around it is the brake warning sign, i believe. the bmw's all have a brake pad sensor cable. when the brake pad gets worn down pretty low, the cable brakes triggerig the alert. this is to let u know it's time to get new brake pads. unfortunately, the cable breaks too (by design), so this has to be replaced as well.

>>I need to order a spare key. I heard i can go for the plastic one which costs $26 rather than the standard pricey one

my valet key is a standard, old-style key. and, it starts the car just fine. u only need the remote key if u want to be able to do keyless entry and to remote control open the trunk. the price for the remote keys is $100+ but i forget the exact amount.

hope this helps...

 

[William330]

-after I floor it a sign comes up occasionaly (a catalog was not included but the dealer promissed to get me one) "!" inside a circle that looks like a gear in yellow color.

I think that's your traction control kicking in. I see that often
in when accelerating hard in rain, or on snow. So if that's the
case, this is normal.

As for the others, bring it to the dealer, don't you have a 30-day
warranty when buying used?

 

[Jay Frem]

Thanks guys for the advise.

will do my best to answer what i know:

>>Service Engine Soon sign comes up when you turn ignition to level 1 then goes away after you start the car. What could it be?

i think mine does this too and it's normal. but, i will double-check for you and report back.

undefined

Detrich have you checked if your BMW gives you this Service Engine Soon at level prior to starting the car?

>>Washer fluid system not funtioning. When you activated you could hear the sound of it i have a feeling it is not pumping water. Any idea? Will this be covered by te BMW 100,000 miles warranty?

this happened to me last summer too. simply put, the nozzels get clogged. i went to my local service place and they charged me $15 for flushing it. very easy fix apparently.

undefined

Did they flush with a chemical to take off the cloggin can i do it myself? Is the clogging closer to the exist or the water inelt you suppose?
I am still new to Atlanta so do not know much shops here other than Jiffy Lube or the dealership yet....


>>after I floor it a sign comes up occasionaly (a catalog was not included but the dealer promissed to get me one) "!" inside a circle that looks like a gear in yellow color.

the ! with a yellow circle w/ broken lines around it is the brake warning sign, i believe. the bmw's all have a brake pad sensor cable. when the brake pad gets worn down pretty low, the cable brakes triggerig the alert. this is to let u know it's time to get new brake pads. unfortunately, the cable breaks too (by design), so this has to be replaced as well.
Should i change them right away?

undefined
I think you are right...but why does it come up occasionally? How much will the brake pads cost me to change at the Dealer with the cable?
Yes you are right i remember i had to change the cable everytime i change the brake pads

>>I need to order a spare key. I heard i can go for the plastic one which costs $26 rather than the standard pricey one

my valet key is a standard, old-style key. and, it starts the car just fine. u only need the remote key if u want to be able to do keyless entry and to remote control open the trunk. the price for the remote keys is $100+ but i forget the exact amount.undefined

I assume the only place you could get a valet key is at the dealer. Will they need to ordet it according to Vin number Any idea on the cost???

Thanks for your help

hope this helps...

 

[Jay Frem]

William

It is not the traction control I m quite sure.
It is a orange light with ! in the middle surrounded by dotted circle.
As Detrich mentioned it is the brake pads and cable.

Will see what i can do with the dealer? He was pretty cooperative and gave a free set of Khumo tyres to fit on the 17" wheels

 

[Detrich]

an easy way to check is to press the DSC button on your console, because the LED that shows up would be the same icon. when traction control is OFF the icon stays on. when traction control is ON the icon only comes on automatically when it engages as u drive. if u confirm it's the brake sensor, then u should definitely have the brake pads checked and replace the cable. i think the cable was about $50 each? the brake sensor is slightly gitchy, so after u replace it it might not turn itself off until after u drive around a little.

for the wipers, i'm not sure exactly what chemical they used to flush it. they just said it was clogged and that they flushed it and it was working again. i think any decent service place would know how to flush it.

i checked my car and in key position 1 i don't see the engine light. in position 2 all the lights come one right b4 i turn the crank to start the car. so, i guess i don't know about this one. but, u can create an account on www.bmwusa.com in My BMW by entering your VIN. and, you'll be able to download a user manual.

as far as the key goes, i think u have to go to the dealer to get a replacement key. actually, i think the remote key is really nice and worth having. but, i'm sure they can get u a copy of the valet key (or equivalent) for a lower price. i would call around different bmw dealers and get some phone quotes for that.

hope this helps

 

[usedweb]

Hi guys, just wanted to let you know that my local BMW dealer charges $150.00 to get a new key (with remote). I was interested in orderding one since one of my keys (with the keyless entry) was run over by car when I had dropped it on the street..... Definitely worth it though.

 

[///M SPEED]

Hi Guys

-after I floor it a sign comes up occasionaly (a catalog was not included but the dealer promissed to get me one) "!" inside a circle that looks like a gear in yellow color.

Go here and sign up. Once you register here you can download or view a PDF copy of your owner’s manual along with many other things related to your car and account. With that said, this is from your owner’s manual judging from the info you provided:

Brake Pad warning lamp: (Yellow warning bulb: Non-Canadian)

However, judging by your last comment (assuming this is an automatic) this sound to be more the issue which could be major:

Transmission: (Orange warning bulb Non-Canadian)

You have to remember the color of the warning means a lot. The severity of the problem coincides with the color of the warning lamp. The degree of seriousness is Yellow, Red, then Orange in that order. Orange meaning take it to the dealer or cerified shop. I would take this car to the dealer (since it is still warranted) and have it checked out…..

Here is further info of what is stated on pg. 75 about the transmission malfunction:

Electronic transmission control
Module
If the indicator lamp comes on, there is a malfunction in the transmission system. Bring the vehicle to a stop. Move the transmission selector lever to "P." Set the parking brake and turn the engine off (ignition key to position 0).

Wait a few seconds, then start the engine. If the indicator lamp goes out after a few seconds, normal transmission performance has been restored. You may continue to drive as usual. If the indicator lamp does not go out, you can place the selector lever in all positions. However, the vehicle will now only operate in 3rd and 4th gear. If this happens, avoid extreme engine loads and consult the nearest BMW center.

P.S. Remember there have been many many Service Bulletins on this model year for many different things and this could just be a software reprogram or part change. Then again (especially with the automatic gearbox’s) it could be major....

Good luck and let us know how it goes....

P.S.S. Welcome to the board and post photos of your car when you can. We would love to see it.....

 

[Kirby]

Since it is certified I would notify the dealer immediately so it is on record as a problem. They can read the code. I have also read that sometimes this is a software glitch, as Scott mentioned.

 

[Jay Frem]

Guys thanks a lot for all the usful info.

Scott i think the sign that showed up last week 1 or 3 times was the oen about the transmission.

i went to the dealer on saturday to check some history on the car and it seems it had been serviced up until 60,000 Miles.

I forgot to bring up the light issue as they were closing....I just got a quote on what they cover and the service charges and ordered an owener manula for $36.

Since i visitted them before i got to know pretty well the manager of pre-owned cars. He checked my car and liked it.

As for the services packages they are prett pricey I tought:

- 60,000 miles : Inspection II -$666.38
- 75,000 miles: oil SVc. 84.39
- 90,000 miles : Inspection I-$497.89 w/tx
- 105,000: oil SVc-$84.39 with tax
at 100,000 miles replace the spark plugs and have the oxygen sensors checked and replaced
spark plugs $305
oxygen sensors check $ 99
oxygen sensor replacement $954.13
spark plugs+oxygen sensors replaces-$1214

Their prices are extremely hight i tought.

Should i still check the light if it went away and i did drive it frequntly this weekend?

Regarding oil change are u using the 15,000 miles BMW oil or just the typical synthetic 3000 or 5000 miles oil.

Thanks

Jay

Scott where and how can i post pics on the site

Go here and sign up. Once you register here you can download or view a PDF copy of your owner’s manual along with many other things related to your car and account. With that said, this is from your owner’s manual judging from the info you provided:

Brake Pad warning lamp: (Yellow warning bulb: Non-Canadian)

However, judging by your last comment (assuming this is an automatic) this sound to be more the issue which could be major:

Transmission: (Orange warning bulb Non-Canadian)

You have to remember the color of the warning means a lot. The severity of the problem coincides with the color of the warning lamp. The degree of seriousness is Yellow, Red, then Orange in that order. Orange meaning take it to the dealer or cerified shop. I would take this car to the dealer (since it is still warranted) and have it checked out…..

Here is further info of what is stated on pg. 75 about the transmission malfunction:

Electronic transmission control
Module
If the indicator lamp comes on, there is a malfunction in the transmission system. Bring the vehicle to a stop. Move the transmission selector lever to "P." Set the parking brake and turn the engine off (ignition key to position 0).

Wait a few seconds, then start the engine. If the indicator lamp goes out after a few seconds, normal transmission performance has been restored. You may continue to drive as usual. If the indicator lamp does not go out, you can place the selector lever in all positions. However, the vehicle will now only operate in 3rd and 4th gear. If this happens, avoid extreme engine loads and consult the nearest BMW center.

P.S. Remember there have been many many Service Bulletins on this model year for many different things and this could just be a software reprogram or part change. Then again (especially with the automatic gearbox’s) it could be major....

Good luck and let us know how it goes....

P.S.S. Welcome to the board and post photos of your car when you can. We would love to see it.....

 

[Jay Frem]

Convertible Top Care

My convertible top has some stains on it....I think from a tree under where i parked.

How and with what product can i clean them?

Tried with a damp soft cloth but they are still there.....

Regarding the leather seats also what kind of treatment is recommended to keep leather soft and free of these lines typical or aged dry leather....