E36 328i Coupe issues...........

[yozzer]

I have recently bought a 1996 E36 328i Coupe. It was a bargain as it had been looked after mechanically - well serviced and good bodywork etc, however there are a few things that need tidying around the interior and I would like some advice from you if thats ok!?

The climate control isnt working properly, the control unit lights up but there is no air flow from the air vents or hot / cold air. I assume the fan behind the dashboard is at fault, is there anything I could check myself or is it more likely to need specialist attention?

The passenger window makes a large bang when it closes as the glass reaches the closed position. I assume its the motor / regulator closing the window too much?

The steering also makes a sounds as the wheel is turned, it sounds like something is catching on the cowl around the steering column. I cant feel it rubbing thought the wheel but something is definately not right.............

I am based in the Peterborough area and would like advice on where i would be best taking the car for servicing? Is there a specialist or recommended garage in the area?

I would really appreciate anyones input on any of these problems, this is my first BMW (and 6 cylinder car) and coming from a couple of Elises and an S3 i am really loving it.

Thanks in advance for your help!!

[LC23]

Hi Yozzer

The noise on the steering wheel may be the horn ring. My old E36 made this noise and having that replaced sorted the problem.

[MarkwG]

Climate control ie digital panel with left & right options, rather than three rotary switches?

If so, it could also be: needs a regas; or panel is faulty, easy & cheap enough fix if you're handy with a soldering iron, surf "e36 aircon faults"; or condensor/pipework leaking, lots of spanner work & will need a garage to check & refill, anyway.

To check, can you manually increase the fan speed? If so, does the air go cold within 20 secs or so? If yes, you've got refridgerant, so likely to be the panel fault. Could be some or all of the above, though...

But, this is not an exhaustive list! When you've found a decent indie, they'll be able to test it, which saves lots of faffing about.

[wiggy001]

My climate control did the same thing at the start of last summer. It was in for a service anyway so I asked the dealer to carry out their £90 (iirc) aircon service. Turned out it was simply due to the filters being blocked, which they changed for about £30 and didn't charge me for the aircon service.

If you hit the screen blower button, can you hear that kick in at full whack?

[yozzer]

Thanks for your quick replies......

LC23 - I will check the horn ring this weekend to see if that is the issue, thank you!

MArk / Wiggy - The control panel i have is the digital panel with the left and right options, when i put any fan speed into it I can hear the fan react to the input i.e either faster or slower depending on my input, also when i put it on to clear the front screen I can hear the fan go at full speed. No air seems to come out of the vents tho so I am wondering of the pipework has become dislodged? There seems to be no change in temperature but i dont leave it on long enough to change really.

Thanks again chaps, any further hints or tips for 328 ownership are more than welcome.

Regards,

Guy

[MarkwG]

Might also be a blocked pollen filter, depending on age. If it's just a tepid puff, worth a change (not done mine, myself, so not sure how tricky it is). Also, forgive if stating the bleedin' obvious, but where are the slider controls set to? The "I" is off, the "O" is open, IIRC (ETA: I didn't RC...it's the other way around on mine...& I got fecking puncture on the way home...) Flick them back & forth, you should see movement. Then, press "auto", should default to previous setting, worth working them up & down, see if you get a change.

Edited by MarkwG on Thursday 23 April 21:04

[yozzer]

Just a quick update:

I managed to find out what was causing the bang on the window. The motor and the frame that holds it in place had slipped down into the door as the bolts had come off. I will be replacing the bolts tomorrow so that should solve that problem.

Mark, I will be checking the air con more thoroughly at the weekend so i will make sure all the vents are open correctly. Thanks again for your advice.............

Any help on the other points is most welcome

[MarkwG]

(Check my edit first...)

[fastka]

hello chap

this is too spooky...

i'm in March and i've just bought a '97 E36 328i in silver. it's also my first bimmer as well!...some service, black leather, hartge alloys (now sold) and 100k miles for £1400...very happy!

doing the brakes this weekend

if you find a good indie, then please give me a shout
i'll do the same for you

Phil

[Sir_Dave]

Best advice i can give is join up on www.e36coupe.com.

Brilliant source of information.