Operation: Obtain e30>>SUCCESS>>Initiate project #2

[Spyke]

I guess I need some help... I seem to have some cross breed e30.

Here's what I got:

1987 325e (10-1986 build date)

-NO tweeters
-Fader switch in the dash
-NO amp in the trunk
-Fader wires DO NOT change colors, there are NO additional wires in the bundle. I followed them all the way behind the speedo to make sure. There's only the 4 striped and 2 solid wires going to the fader switch.

Photos of my head unit, fader switch and wiring to the head unit:


IMG_20130210_103441 by Spyke e36/e30, on Flickr


IMG_20130210_092643 by Spyke e36/e30, on Flickr


IMG_20130210_092814 by Spyke e36/e30, on Flickr


IMG_20130210_092929 by Spyke e36/e30, on Flickr

[Spyke]

Okay, been delaying her for a while, but hopefully here's the plan:

Getting last part of the speedometer fixed (Service Interval board)
Add Le-Ah to insurance
Smog test
Pay shitloads of money to DMV

Negative profit?

DRIVE


Also on the way:

[Spyke]

Okay, had to skip smog, car will randomly just go dead at idle. Engine is running super nice at speed. At a full stop I just touch the gas pedal really light and it stays steady and smooth. Stalls at idle maybe 40% of the time if I had to guess... doesn't stumble or anything, just goes silent and dead.

I'm trying to run all the gas out of it right now, a drive every couple nights. Trying to rule out any other possibilities here:

New vacuum hoses - done
New spark plugs - done
New ignition wires - done
New cap and rotor - done
New fuel filter - done
Fuel pump(s) - done in last 3 years at dealer by PO

Remaining possibilities:
ICV - clean or replace with new
Fuel pressure regulator - replace with new
Pulse generator - Worth replacing right now?

I may just preemptively replace the cat as well to get it passed the first go on smog.

[pandaboo911]

I would also scuff the contacts in the AFM, and make sure it's within spec

[Spyke]

I would also scuff the contacts in the AFM, and make sure it's within spec

A step ahead of you on that one! I had already had Greg on here (local) professionally refurb my AFM as I know that's a commonly overlooked part.

Sexy cluster by the way, that looks amazing

[Spyke]

Cleaned my ICV as well as I could with electrical parts cleaner. Now it doesn't die anymore, but it does have an intermittent idle surge... Odd thing is if I keep it in gear at a stop and just pull the clutch out halfway it will idle perfect every single time. Works for now, but I guess I just need a new ICV altogether.

[Spyke]

New ICV and rebuilt fuel injectors on the way! Euro smileys just delivered as well.

[Spyke]

Went to do the first oil change... and if there's one thing I hate in this world it's people who take their cars to oil changers. Found this beauty:


IMG_20130512_134444 by Spyke e36/e30, on Flickr

[JinormusJ]

Workmanship looks top notch



But other than that, car looks like its coming along nicely; tuck those bumpers!

[Spyke]

Okay got insurance done, and blew $720 at DMV getting reg up to date (previous owners were behind, but at least the car was a steal).

Since I took the day off work for that, I spent the rest of the day pulling all the OEM radio wiring out, and re-purposing (re-running) the stock wire to phase out the fader junk, and make each speaker have a positive and negative in addition to the head unit ground. I will post my wiring colors to help others out, as I know I certainly had trouble figuring out the unusual wiring on the ETA. Once it's all out it makes perfect sense. While I am at it, I am taking the chance to install a permanent e36 female radio harness so that upgrades are easy and most importantly non-damaging in the future. Rear speaker covers and screws also got a fresh coat of black paint.

On the driveability side, I am hoping to get the new ICV installed, rebuilt fuel injectors installed, and get an initial smog test. One of my customers offered to do a free test for me so I am taking him up on that. If it doesn't pass then I will do a new cat, pay for a retest and should be gravy after that.

[Spyke]

Ok, new ICV installed, already running much smoother at idle. Still need to install the fresh injectors...

Got all the new radio wiring done. I now have a permanent e36 female plug so that wiring will never have to be messed with again in the future, easy upgrades. This is for my 87 ETA, fader in dash, no amp in trunk, standard speakers. Wiring colors followed a fairly consistent pattern to my surprise. Here's what I did:

e30 ETA OEM wiring <> e36 female radio plug <> Metra 70-8590 plug

12v ignition/acc
Violet/Grey <> Violet/(White) <> Red
12v batt/constant
Red/Green <> Red/(White) <> Yellow
Ground
Brown <> Brown <> Black
Power antenna
(White) <> (White) <> Blue
Illumination
Red/Grey <> Red/Grey <> Orange

Right Front +
Blue/Red <> Blue/Red <> Grey
Right Front -
Blue/Brown <> Brown/Orange <> Grey/Black
Left Front +
Yellow/Red <> Yellow/Red <> (White)
Left Front -
Yellow/Brown <> Brown/Orange <> (White)/Black

Right Rear +
Blue/Black <> Blue/Black <> Violet
Right Rear -
Blue/Brown <> Brown/Orange <> Violet/Black
Left Rear +
Yellow/Black <> Yellow/Black <> Green
Left Rear -
Yellow/Brown <> Brown/Orange <> Green/Black

***The e36 female plug will have the speaker + and - as a twisted pair. I highly recommend connecting only ONE pair at a time to keep from getting confused, since all speaker grounds have the same color wire.


IMG_20130517_191050 by Spyke e36/e30, on Flickr

[Spyke]

New smileys so we can finally drive at night with some confidence.


IMG_6233 by Spyke e36/e30, on Flickr


IMG_6235 by Spyke e36/e30, on Flickr


IMG_6238 by Spyke e36/e30, on Flickr

Still looking for a small A/C button, got sent a large one that doesn't fit. Others are cleaned and clear-coated to prevent damage to the symbols. New head unit installed, new wires run, no amp and sounds way better.


IMG_6240 by Spyke e36/e30, on Flickr


IMG_6242 by Spyke e36/e30, on Flickr


IMG_6246 by Spyke e36/e30, on Flickr

[Spyke]

Been working on the steering overhaul after work lately, here's everything new going in:


IMG_20130613_194726 by Spyke e36/e30, on Flickr

e36 rack, just went with the non-M, plus all the goodies that go with it. Also going in is a new fuel pre$$ure regulator and new throttle po$ition $en$or. They seem really overpriced, but whatever. Good to replace 26 year old parts. Still trying to track down the surge at idle... not too many parts left to replace and it's starting to annoy me now.

Time has been tight...my parents just closed on their first house ever and are starting to move this weekend!

[JCarp90]

Looks awesome so far.

[saturnv7890]

This is really thorough and really clean!

I'm liking everything you've done to it so far, the smoked parking lights really look nice!

One thing I'd definitely do before you throw too many more expensive parts at the idle issue is do a smoke test, chances are you've got a vacuum leak hiding somewhere hard to see.

What are the details on those seats? I want some!