Trip Odometer Won't Reset

[bama328]

Hi.....I'm new to this board. I just bought a '99 328i, my first BMW, and 100 miles into driving it home, I heard a beep, and the message center showed 40 F. This is in 90 degree weather!

Now the trip odometer will not reset when you push the button, and I stil get 40 F when I cycle to outside Temperature. It also shows 40 C if you change the scale. Any ideas? I'm mechanically minded.

Will welcome any and all suggestions.....I have a Bentley Repair Manual pre-ordered, but would like to get this fixed as soon as possible.

GREAT car, by the way!!!

 

[Big Daddy]

Welcome to the bmwboard! The beep is a warning that the temps have dropped and you should watch for ice. Why yours is showing 40 in 90 degree weather I do not know. Do you have your owners manual, if show it may show how to reset the temps! Did you push and hold the button for a few seconds? The Bentley manual is the best as I am sure you know.

 

[gpoints]

<Shot-Gun Approach>
Try disconnecting the negative batery terminal for 15 mins or so...
</Shot-Gun Approach>

edit: Bama.

 

[Big Daddy]

Oh yeah, I forgot about the disconnect/reset procedure! This worked once for me when my fuel gauge freaked out.

 

[aNoodle]

The outside temperature sensor in under the front of the car, right near the nose. It's a little pointy deal on the drivers side. I'd check that if I were you. Possibly it's unhooked or maybe it's damaged?

 

[bama328]

trip odometer

Tried holding button in, no help. Disconnected battery for 15 minutes, odometer set itself to zero, but still will not reset later with button on dash. Guess that means pulling instrument cluster to find a bad contact behinf the button.
As to exterior temperature sensor, I really appreciate the location answer. It is missing, just two cut wires in that area. I know the car had been in a slight accident from CARFAX, so I guess bumper was replaced and the sensor was damaged and just cut off. Have already entered a search on Internet for used part. Got a great price on this car, so was not expecting absolute perfection.
Will wait for my Bentley manual, and see if I can fix all this stuff.

 

[aNoodle]

Tried holding button in, no help. Disconnected battery for 15 minutes, odometer set itself to zero, but still will not reset later with button on dash. Guess that means pulling instrument cluster to find a bad contact behinf the button.
As to exterior temperature sensor, I really appreciate the location answer. It is missing, just two cut wires in that area. I know the car had been in a slight accident from CARFAX, so I guess bumper was replaced and the sensor was damaged and just cut off. Have already entered a search on Internet for used part. Got a great price on this car, so was not expecting absolute perfection.
Will wait for my Bentley manual, and see if I can fix all this stuff.

Cool. Yeah, be sure you get the update Bentley. They just came out with a new one. I'm looking to get the update too, cuz I know they improved some of the sections, like the transmissions, etc.

I'm glad you were able to find the sensor okay. Just two dangling wires? Wow. At least it's easy to get to...should be a pretty easy DIY.

If holding in the trip stalk for 7 or so seconds doesnt open up the hidden codes function (as well as just normally pressing it once doens't resetting the trip), then I guess the stalk just isn't making contact. It must be a mechanical problem witht he contact?

 

[bama328]

Well, here I am again. On a different board I see that the service part of the inst. panel has a battery behind it that can go dead. Well, my service reminder for oil change will not reset, and it is stuck on -2945. So, my guess is that the battery is dead, and I have to pull the inst. panel to get at it. Just have to find that other message board, I know the address is www.bmwboard.com.