3 Problems...Help!

[Boggie1688]

Hi guys...got a few problems...

Problem #1
My right headlight is being very tempermental...when I turn the lights on...both my low beams come on...then after awhile the right side light goes off...then after I use the high beams a few time the right side comes on...then later it comes off...it comes and goes...and its quite annoying...I haven't changed the bulb yet...but I did look at it and it seems fine...anyone have an answer?

Problem #2
I dunno if this is really a problem, but the car kinda is slow on starting...it takes a second or two...and it kinda makes that starting noise...then suddenly no noise...then the starting noise...and its starts...then sometimes after I drive it for a long time...go in to a store and come out and start it...it just starts right away..I dunno if its maybe the battery losing its ability to hold a charge...or maybe the distributor...Can anyone shed some light?

Problem #3
I just bought an eibach spring kit...and it should be here in one week..paid a good price from it $195...so happy...but the local installation place wants $100 to install...I think I could do it myself...and I know you need a special compression tool...and I know kragen has a rent a tool program...so now all thats left is to get instructions on installing new springs...Can anyone give me instructions? maybe with pictures? LOL Thanks

Thanks for even reading all my problems and stuff...any help will be greatly appreciated...THANKS!

[Phil M]

just try changing out the bulb first with a new one and see if it still does it (common sense, of course). if not that, clean the connector. or maybe the prongs have become corroded or oxydized or something? it sounds like somethings a lil loose or corroded

[Boggie1688]

Thanks...go idea...u think wd40 would clean that connector up a bit?

[ryan roopnarine]

i dunno if that problem is indicative of a dying Light Kontrol Module.. maybe yours needs to be resoldered. instructions for replacing shocks (and springs) are herehttp://bmwe32.student.utwente.nl/johan/front_shocks/front_shocks.html

replacing the rears is in the menu under rear shocks.

[Phil Sanderson]

1. As Ryan says the light going on and off after it gets hot is almost certainly the LKM (Light Kontrol Module - German spelling) in need of soldering the relay posts. Chech out www.bmwe34.net for the procedure.

2. The fusible link being cracked will cause the problems you are experiencing. It will be ok when hot (it expands and joins the break) but when cold it will shrink causing a break in the fuse material. I'm not sure what car you have but on a 525i the fusible link is beside the battery in the engine bay and in a 535i it is beside the battery under the rear seat.

3. $100 to install springs (I assume rear only) seems pretty cheap to me but if you are handy you could do it yourself

[Boggie1688]

DAMn...

I hope its not the LKM like u guys say...I don't wanna go spend a weekend soldering stuff for my car....I haven't gotten much solder pratice...maybe like twice....for my 5th grade science project...

Anyone have a picture of the fusible link?

And the 100 dollars if for both front and rear installation..

Thanks for the info guys...I'll definitely look into everything you guys have said...

[Mr Project]

The LKM soldering only takes a few minutes, and it's a lot cheaper than buying another one, and even cheaper yet than hitting something when your headlights go out on a dark country highway! :)

[Hallmark]

It turned out to be the bulb had fried but the filament halfs would periodically touch and the light would come back on. I found that I could turn on the lights and tap on the lens for that light and make it go on and off. When I replaced it I went ahead and did the 9005 upgrade.

[Boggie1688]

Well...I think it is the LKM...this morning I get up...took the battery of the charger...and went to start it...and yea I get that 2 second delay before the engine fires up...so its annoying...but I'm driving to work...and 30 mins later I remember to turn on my headlights...its board daylight by now...but by what you guys say...the lights should turn on...and after they have been on for awhile...they should stop working...or in my case my right side should stop working...so I go and flip the switch and they both come on...and I have them on for about 10 mins....so I really think it might be the LKM...

I read http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/maintenance/electrical/LKM.htm
and I'm still kinda of confused...what do I need to do to fix the LKM? Just go over the relays and resolder the connections? or do I need to replace the relays?

Now about the fusible link...I figured out what it was and looked on www.bmwe34.net and I think thats gone bad too....*curses at car* anywayz...yea cold start had a 2 second delay...then after I got to the office..I was half an hour early...damn LA traffic is unpredictable...soo I turned my engine off and decided to poke around...then turn the engine back on..and it fired up quick....I looked at the fusible link...and it looks in perfect condition...but the site says u can't see if anything is wrong until you unscrew the nut....my question is...is it safe to unscrew with the battery plugged in? cuz theres a high voltage warning next to the link on the shock tower...and I wanna make sure I can still use my brain after this....also to how to I replace the links?

[Mr Project]

For the LKM, usually re-soldering the connections is good enough.

[Boggie1688]

Ok cool...as soon as I get off work I'm rushing home to resolder....I know I got a soldering iron somewhere...I'll just go pick up some solder.....or steal some from my friend...thats an RC freak and has all this left over stuff since he doesnt run his cars anymore...

BTW are any of you guys into RC cars? Just wondering out of curisoity...

[Warren N.CA]

Would suggest you have someone who is skilled at soldering do this for you. The conections can look perfect and still be bad.



DAMn...

I hope its not the LKM like u guys say...I don't wanna go spend a weekend soldering stuff for my car....I haven't gotten much solder pratice...maybe like twice....for my 5th grade science project...

Anyone have a picture of the fusible link?

And the 100 dollars if for both front and rear installation..

Thanks for the info guys...I'll definitely look into everything you guys have said...

[mholbrook]

Everyone has chimed in on LKM repair, probably your problem.

As for the install of the Springs for $100 that is a steal. It is generally at least a 3 hour job if not more. Are you going to upgrade your shocks too. Lowering springs and stock shocks will not work.

[Boggie1688]

Don't worry on the soldering ... If i can't do it i'll get my dad to do it...hes a retires electrical engineer... :D

I don't have stock shocks...I have kybs...they feel good...and handle well...but I dunno if they are " good " .

[Boggie1688]

I think my e34 is possessed....

Ok soo I'm driving home today...and according to what u guys say...when the LKM gets hot..its starts to malfunction....soo right when I leave work I turn the lights on....mind you its 103F outside...and my drive home is stop and go in traffic...and all the way home I keep my lights on...when I get home...I check...both my lights are on...WTF?!

Next thing...the fusible link....I took a look at in...and there a metal piece going between the two screws....and wellz...its prefectly fine...and intact....I tried cleaning it and then started...it and it started fast...but I've only been home for like 2 hours...and its still quite hot...I'll let it sit over night and then try it out..THANKS! Oh and I decided to let the local place install my springs....everyone keeps telling me 100 is a damn good deal..

[Paul in NZ]

you dont know when it is going to happen.When i first bought my car on my way home my headlights went out completely on a fast lh sweeper in the midle of a dark country road...that is scary.Luckily i quickly hit the foglights and they came on.When i turned the headlights off and then on again they came back on.FIX THE LKM.Get your dad to resolder ALL the relay connections even if they look ok.THe slow start is normal.My car NEVER starts first crank when cold.It always cranks about three or four times.I beleive there is some sort of ignition delay to enable fuel pressure or a richening process or even to let the oil pressure come up b4 the engine ffires....my 2c

[Boggie1688]

LOL aites...Ill just get him to resolder...Definitely don't want what happened to you happening to me...

I just think a car looks super ghetto when one or some of its lights aren't working...and the E34 doesn't deserve to look ghetto...

As for 3 or 4 tries...WOW! LOL I'd be pissed if my car took 3 or 4 tries....mine always starts first try but the damn delay is annoying...sounds like my cars , again "ghetto" like its a shitty as car that doesn't wanna start...lol...

[Incantation]

unless you have access to air tools or enough room to use a torque bar under the car don't even bother.. the nuts on the brakes are lock-tighted on and damn near impossible to take off. (lock-tight is a paste you put on the bolt and it glues the nut in its place.. it's removeable but damn hard to remove )

there is a post on www.bmwe34.net that tells you how to install.. it's under the maintenance -> suspensions tab

[Paul in NZ]

my cars always starts the first time,but it is always a couple of rer rer rer vroom,never just rer vroom

[Boggie1688]

LOL

rer rer rer vroom,never just rer vroom
I just found that funny...

Anywayz yea I definitely gave up on the spring change...lol I'll just grab some pop corn and a coke and watch...

As for the starting issue...my suspiscions were right...it was the battery...I took it into today to sears and they said the battery was dead and gave me a new one for $45.45 . Sears has a good warrenty program...the battery cost $100 and is suppose to last 3 years...if it falls short they credit you money towards a new battery! So now my cars starts with its usualy VrRRooomm....hehehe

I was also thinking my headlight issue could have been cause by the battery...I remember once I started the car...and the windows wouldn't roll up....and I went check the battery move the connections...started it again and then the window rolled up...I think it might have to deal with voltage...maybe there not enough voltage on start up...and it can't power some parts...like the lights...but the voltage doesn't drop low enough to trigger the light warning...I'm not sure...just speculating...hopefully we will find out...I'll take the car out tonite and drive around and see if my light issue is gone...

THANKS guy for all your support and advice...very much appreciated!

[Boggie1688]

Oh one more question...

Do your e34s eat batteries for lunch?

Mine love to munch and batteries...every year or so I have to get a new battery...what are your experiences?

Another thing I noticed...you leave the trunk open by accident...and the car won't start in the morning...one stupid light bulb...kills the battery...whats up with that?