So Fix it

The BMW 740 is large luxury sedan that delivers limousine comfort in a sporty chassis. The 7 series is so good that it actually serves as the base for many Rolls Royce cars, which BMW also makes. However, it has a lot of electrical gadgets that can go bad, necessitating the removal of the center console to gain access to certain components. Alternatively, you can replace a faded or damaged center console with a replacement to resh the look of the interior.

Instructions

1

Drive the BMW 740 into your garage or driveway because if you perform this removal procedure on the side of the road it will look like you are stealing the stereo. Place the 740 in "Park" and pull the emergency brake to make sure it does not shift while you are working on it. Make sure the car is off before you continue.

2

Pull the two plastic cup holders out from the center arm rest by hand. Unscrew the Philips head screws at the bottom of the cup holder holes. Go to the back seat of the 740 and pull the ash tray out from the rear of the front center arm rest. Unscrew the two Philips head screws that are underneath. Pull the center arm rest up and then back and place it to the side so that it does not get bent. Pull the emergency brake jacket off and the center plastic bezel from around the shifter.

3

Pry the bottom of the center console bezel up with a flat screwdriver. Be very gentle, as you can easily crack the plastic. Work the screwdriver in the seam between the center console bezel and the rest of the dash. Pull the center console bezel straight back and then up once all the pegs are disengaged. Place the center console somewhere safe, as it too is prone to cracking.

The BMW E30 was a series of compact executive cars manufactured from 1982 to 1994, including the 325. The most common engine in the 1987 325 was a six-cylinder 2.7-liter engine with a single overhead camshaft. The crankshaft in this model drives the camshaft with a timing belt, which makes less noise than a timing chain. BMW recommends replacement of the timing belt in a 1987 325 after no more than four years.

Instructions

1

Remove the cable from the negative battery terminal using a socket wrench. Disconnect the cap, rotor, inner cover and seal of the distributor. Remove the mounting bolts for the distributor guard plate and remove the guard plate.

2

Turn the crankshaft clockwise so that the arrow on the camshaft sprocket aligns with the timing mark on the cylinder head. Drain the radiator and disconnect it with a socket wrench.

3

Disconnect the splash guard below the engine. Detach the drive belts for the alternator, power steering motor and air conditioner. Remove the mounting bolt for the crankshaft pulley with a socket wrench and disconnect the crankshaft pulley. Remove the vibration damper.

4

Remove the bolt on the crankshaft hub with a socket wrench, detach the crankshaft hub with a gear puller. Disconnect the mounting bolt and adjusting bolt on the alternator bracket, and push the bracket out of your way. Detach the top dead center transmitter from the engine.

5

Disconnect the bolt on the lower timing belt cover with a socket wrench, and detach the cover. Remove the bolts for the roller of the timing belt and push the roller towards the timing belt to relieve the tension on the timing belt. Tighten the upper bolt for the roller of the timing belt tensioner to hold the roller in place. Disconnect the timing belt from its pulleys.

6

Turn the crankshaft to align the camshaft timing marks, if necessary. Install the new timing belt onto the crankshaft sprocket and proceed in a counterclockwise fashion.

7

Loosen the upper bolt for the roller of the timing belt tensioner to place tension on the timing belt. Turn the crankshaft one full turn clockwise and align the timing marks again. Tighten the upper roller bolt with a socket wrench, then tighten the lower roller bolt.

8

Replace the lower cover for the timing belt with a socket wrench. Install the top dead center transmitter and the alternator bracket. Connect the crankshaft hub and tighten its retaining nut to between 281 and 309 foot-pounds with a torque wrench. Replace the vibration damper and the crankshaft pulley. Tighten the bolts for the crankshaft pulley to 17 foot-pounds.

9

Connect the guard plate for the distributor with a socket wrench. Replace the seal, rotor and cap for the distributor. Attach the drive belts for the accessories and the splash shield below the engine. Connect the radiator and fill it with coolant.

The BMW E60 is more commonly known as the BMW 5 Series. The automobiles in this series come equipped with an on-board computer that tracks driving conditions and uses this information to determine when service is needed. The computer will illuminate an indicator on the instrumentation panel to alert the driver that maintenance is required. Once the car has been serviced, the computer must be reset so it can resume tracking conditions and alert the driver the next time maintenance is required.

Instructions

1

Turn the ignition on without actually starting the car.

2

Press the odometer reset button and hold it in for about 5-10 seconds until the "Service" icon appears.

3

Release the odometer button and press it again. This will display images of the various service icons. For example, an oil can indicates that oil service is required.

4

Reset the service indicators by releasing and pressing the odometer button until the service icon that you want to reset appears. As soon as it appears, hold in the odometer button until the prompt "RESET?" displays. When the prompt appears, release the button briefly and then hold it in again for another 5-10 seconds until another icon appears. Continue resetting the other service indicators in this manner.

The Service Engine Light on your BMW 3 Series is monitored and controlled by the Engine Control Module or ECM. It keeps track of all routine maintenance and servicing requirements of your BMW. When this light illuminates, you should have your BMW serviced before attempting to manually reset the light. The best way to reset it is to use a computerized scan tool obtained from your local auto parts retailer. This tool can be purchased or borrowed for free from most auto parts stores.

Instructions

1

Put the key into the ignition and turn the vehicle to the "on" position but dont start the engine.

2

Find the diagnostic port under the drivers side dashboard near the pedals. Plug the computerized scan tool into this port. The battery from the vehicle will automatically power on the tool.

3

Find arrows on the faceplate of the scan tool and use them to scroll through the menu until you find the "Read All Codes" command. Select this command.

4

Scroll through the menu again and find "Clear All Codes." Select this option then wait for the service engine light to shut off.

5

Turn off the vehicle and wait five minutes. Start the engine and verify that the check engine light is still off.

The Z3 made its first appearance in the U.S. in the 1996 model year with only a 1.9-liter four-cylinder engine. In 1997, BMW added in an optional 189-horsepower, 2.8-liter in-line six-cylinder engine to complement its standard 138-horsepower, 1.9-liter engine. The base-level four-cylinder on the 1997 Z3 uses two oxygen sensors, one before the catalytic converter and one after it. These oxygen sensors are responsible for keeping close tabs on the air-to-fuel ratio and harmful exhaust emissions, by testing the oxygen density in the exhaust system. Replacing the 1997 Z3s oxygen sensors is a straightforward task that most DIYU mechanics can complete with relative ease.

Instructions

Removal

1

Lift the front of the Z3 with a floor jack and slide jack stands under its frame rails. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.

2

Crawl under the center of the vehicle and find the catalytic converter the muffler-like object just after the exhaust goes from two pipes to one pipe. The upstream oxygen sensor is screwed into the exhaust pipe just before the catalytic converter and the downstream sensor if screwed into the pipe just after the catalytic converter.

3

Trace the failed oxygen sensors wiring upward until you find where it connects to the vehicles main wiring . Unplug the sensors wiring harness from the Z3s wiring harness. Pull the oxygen sensors wiring from the routing clips. Remove the failed sensor, using a ratchet and oxygen sensor socket. Repeat this step for the other sensor, if needed.

Installation

4

Apply a thin coat of an anti-seize compound to the new oxygen sensors threads. Use caution not to get any anti-seize on the tip of the sensor. Thread the new sensor into its respective hole in the exhaust pipe by hand.

5

Tighten the oxygen sensor to 37 foot-pounds using the torque wrench and oxygen sensor socket.

6

Route the oxygen sensors wiring upward toward the Z3s wiring harness, pressing the wiring into its routing clips as you go. Plug the oxygen sensors wiring harness into the Z3s harness.

7

Repeat steps 1 through 3 to install the other oxygen sensor, if you removed it.

8

Raise the vehicle off of the jack stands and remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground.

The BMW 328 is a perennial favorite of car review sites such as Edmunds, which says the vehicles look, ride and handling are "unmatched by most cars at any price." The brake lights in a 2009 BMW 328 are an important safety feature that alert other drivers when you are ready to stop. These lights should be checked regularly to ensure proper performance. Replacing your 328s brake lights is an easy job that doesnt require any special tools or experience.

Instructions

1

Turn off your BMW 328 and set the parking brake. Ensure the light selector switch is in the "Off" position.

2

Open the trunk using the interior switch or key-fob remote.

3

Use a screwdriver to gently remove the plastic plugs that secure the trim piece to the light assembly. Remove the trim and set it aside.

4

Twist the bulb assembly counterclockwise to release it from the light assembly.

5

Remove the bulb by pushing it into into the holder and rotating the bulb counterclockwise. Insert the new bulb by placing it in the holder and turning it clockwise.

6

Replace the bulb assembly back into the vehicle and reattach the trim.