Help - E32 problems
Discussion
Hi guys, firstly id just like to say its nice to be back into the BMW fold after well over a year out. I have just purchased myself an E32 740i from fellow PHeader markmullen.
My biggest problem (i knew this when i bought it) is that the autobox is stuck in D. All of the forward gears work as did the rest of it before a 6 month layoff when it decided to stick in D. Any ideas what the problem is?
Next the car has serious vibration in the steering when braking from speed - its so bad that the car moved all over the road and almost jolts the wheel from my hand. Surely cant be tracking? Perhaps bushes?
Also my instrument panel only works intermittently - its either all on or all off - hoping that will be a fairly easy fix?
Thanks a lot in advance
My biggest problem (i knew this when i bought it) is that the autobox is stuck in D. All of the forward gears work as did the rest of it before a 6 month layoff when it decided to stick in D. Any ideas what the problem is?
Next the car has serious vibration in the steering when braking from speed - its so bad that the car moved all over the road and almost jolts the wheel from my hand. Surely cant be tracking? Perhaps bushes?
Also my instrument panel only works intermittently - its either all on or all off - hoping that will be a fairly easy fix?
Thanks a lot in advance
"Also my instrument panel only works intermittently - its either all on or all off - hoping that will be a fairly easy fix?"
Try this....locate the fuse relevant to the instruments ( If I recall it's either fuse 21 or 22 ). Even if it doesn't look blown simply take it out and then re-seat it.
I know it sounds improbable but I have 'fixed' my own in this manner and advised a couple of other people with the same problem as this...in their cases too it worked and cost nothing!
Try this....locate the fuse relevant to the instruments ( If I recall it's either fuse 21 or 22 ). Even if it doesn't look blown simply take it out and then re-seat it.
I know it sounds improbable but I have 'fixed' my own in this manner and advised a couple of other people with the same problem as this...in their cases too it worked and cost nothing!
The juddering from braking sounds like it may be the front suspension bushes.
Get underneath and have a good poke around tie bars, if the bushes are worn or collapsed you will be able to move them, when they are worn they can cause the struts to move under braking.
As for the auto box, is the actual selector stuck in 'D'? Or can you move the selector but it doesn't change gear?
If you can move the selector it could be that the linkage has failed or become disconnected somewhere, again you'll have to get underneath. If this isn't the case I can suggest changing the gearbox fluid. Take the cover off the resevoir and have a look and smell, if it smells burnt it will be way past it's best, it may do the job. If it's somthing more serious, I suggest a secondhand box from the breakers or a BMW specialist.
Get underneath and have a good poke around tie bars, if the bushes are worn or collapsed you will be able to move them, when they are worn they can cause the struts to move under braking.
As for the auto box, is the actual selector stuck in 'D'? Or can you move the selector but it doesn't change gear?
If you can move the selector it could be that the linkage has failed or become disconnected somewhere, again you'll have to get underneath. If this isn't the case I can suggest changing the gearbox fluid. Take the cover off the resevoir and have a look and smell, if it smells burnt it will be way past it's best, it may do the job. If it's somthing more serious, I suggest a secondhand box from the breakers or a BMW specialist.
The box is stuck in D. Took it to a small garage and the guy said it sounded like it was the torque converter (ie. a more expensive fix than the car is worth). Does that make sense? the car worked fine, still done now in the forward gears - runs like a dream infact. The car was stood for 6 months before i bought it so would something like that just break?
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