New car - some issues

**603Racing** · 07-03-2013, 06:03 AM

Best bet is to have someone that knows e30's to inspect it. They can help you with e30 specific items. As for things you've mentioned:
Issues:
--The coolant gauge does not work

Do you mean the coolant temp gauge? If so then it could be a sensor issue, it is located in the thermostat housing.

--Inspection light on

This is not necessarily an issue, just needs to be reset most likely.

--It does not run smoothly ("cold blooded" but idles smooth as far as I can tell after it has ran for a few minutes) (The higher RPMs do the same thing run rough when cold seems to run smooth when warm)

There are two coolant temp sensors. One drives the gauge, as mentioned above. The other sends data to the ECU, when it is failing your car can run poorly until it warms up. I'd check to make sure these two sensors are 1) plugged in. 2)not swapped (they connectors are the same). 3)if 1 and 2 are ok, then likely they need to be replaced.

-- I believe the car does not pass smog

This could be from the coolant temp sensor issue. Getting the car to run properly is the first step to passing smog. Address the temp sensors, if that does not complete resolve your idle/running issues then come back to us with more info.

You should also check for codes thrown.

**jlevie** · 07-03-2013, 06:22 AM

While the coolant temperature sensor could be bad (as could the engine coolant temperature sensor), the age of the car, the Inspection light being on, and the temperature gauge not working suggest dead batteries in the SI board or a bad board. That is so common a problem that it should be the first thing to check. Another symptom of an SI board problem will be that the Inspection light can't be reset.

Intake leaks are the most common problems on a car of this age. A smoke test will tell if any are present and where they are.

**DarkLordFreeman** · 07-03-2013, 08:09 AM

How do I check for codes? what tools/programs do I use?

Is there a DIY for coolant temp sensor? Bentley manual leads me to two area, I don't know if it addresses replacing that part. I think it does, but is there still something written up by someone in the e30 community?

What is the SI board? I replaced the vehicle battery. What other battery in the SI are you talking about?

Is there a DIY for smoke test? I have heard of that, but I have never performed one on any vehicle before...

Lastly, I don't have any buddies that know much about an e30 so it will be me on this one. I will post another thread in a different regional section see if I can get somebody to help out.

What do you guys think of the car here? Is it fresh?

**SmokeE30** · 07-03-2013, 09:43 AM

Originally posted by DarkLordFreeman

How do I check for codes? what tools/programs do I use?

Is there a DIY for coolant temp sensor? Bentley manual leads me to two area, I don't know if it addresses replacing that part. I think it does, but is there still something written up by someone in the e30 community?

What is the SI board? I replaced the vehicle battery. What other battery in the SI are you talking about?

Is there a DIY for smoke test? I have heard of that, but I have never performed one on any vehicle before...

Lastly, I don't have any buddies that know much about an e30 so it will be me on this one. I will post another thread in a different regional section see if I can get somebody to help out.

What do you guys think of the car here? Is it fresh?

The Bentley should have what you need in it for test procedure on the Coolant temp sensor, it's easy to acces in front of the fuel rail.

The SI board is the service indicator board inside the gauge cluster. The service indicator lights and a few other functions run through it. GregsM on this forum offeres replacement battery's and rebuild services for them.

A smoke test is best left up to a shop with proper equipment to do it.

The car looks decent overall would love for somebody to give me a Mtech2 sedan. That body kit alone is worth $1500 lol

**DarkLordFreeman** · 07-03-2013, 01:24 PM

I will order a coolant temperature sensor, and go ahead and just replace the piece.

Why do I need to replace the SI battery / rebuild the service indicator? It is glowing red.

I will leave alone the smoke test for now.

And still - how do I read the engine codes?? The CHECK light is flashing immediately when the ignition is turned on..... When I drove the car back to my house (3mi) it did not physically overheat, and it did not make any weird smells, or drips or leaks or anything.

**Tom.** · 07-03-2013, 02:12 PM

Originally posted by DarkLordFreeman

I will order a coolant temperature sensor, and go ahead and just replace the piece.

Why do I need to replace the SI battery / rebuild the service indicator? It is glowing red.

I will leave alone the smoke test for now.

And still - how do I read the engine codes?? The CHECK light is flashing immediately when the ignition is turned on..... When I drove the car back to my house (3mi) it did not physically overheat, and it did not make any weird smells, or drips or leaks or anything.

hitting the button on the overhead check panel will make the 'CHECK' light stop flashing.
the check engine light is a totally different light on the cluster.

**dnguyen1963** · 07-03-2013, 04:56 PM

#1 rule for all new owners - DO A SMOKE TEST - if you don't then you'll be pulling your hair out. With regard to your check light, look up in the overhead panel and see which of the light is illuminated. Fix the problem and the check light should go away. The SI batteries are over 20 yrs old. They are made of NiCd and can leach big time when they go bad. The acid can eat the solder on the SI and cluster board. You need to read up on how to reset the service light (search here or Google).

**dnguyen1963** · 07-03-2013, 04:57 PM

Search "Stomp Test" and you can pull the error code.

**DarkLordFreeman** · 07-03-2013, 05:11 PM

No CEL when the car is running.

For the CHECK light, Coolant, Washer fluid, and brake light is on the overhead. I press the button on the overhead check panel and the CHECK light does turn off. But there is still a reason why it would turn on to begin with. Again the lights illuminated are 1) Brake Light 2) Washer Fluid 3) Coolant.

STOMP TEST does not work on this car. I read it can be 1) SI batteries dead 2) Motronic

**DarkLordFreeman** · 07-03-2013, 05:28 PM

And the coolant temperature gauge needle flickers when the ignition is turned on!

**MrNatural** · 07-03-2013, 07:38 PM

probably want to change the timing belt before you drive it too much...bad things happen if that breaks!

**dnguyen1963** · 07-03-2013, 07:39 PM

1. Brake lights - this problem is very finicky. Make sure that you have the correct bulbs or the warning light will stay on. The switch under the brake pedal can also go bad.

2 & 3 Clean the sensors using some fine wet sand paper.

4. Temp gauge flickering - take out the cluster and exam the SI Board/batteries. Clean and tighten the ground nut behind the gauge.

**DarkLordFreeman** · 07-03-2013, 07:40 PM

Originally posted by MrNatural

probably want to change the timing belt before you drive it too much...bad things happen if that breaks!

Yes sir on the list! I drove the car one time for 3mi - it has been sitting in its place until I get some things done.

I have read a timing belt is fairly simple on these vehicles.

**DarkLordFreeman** · 07-03-2013, 10:07 PM

I just pulled the cluster and gauge and the whole thing was completely clean - it literally looked brand new.

The grounds were completely clean guys...

I do not think there is any issue with the Cluster here.....

New car - some issues

New car - some issues

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