Unofficialbmw.com

cjhsa · Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 325 Location: West Michigan

Especially when using the intermittent setting. They will sometimes work correctly, other times they will run three or four or more swipes before pausing. Sometimes they get stuck in the middle.

Is this a relay issue?
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1984 325e 5-speed coupe
Lapis blau

tncean · Joined: 26 Feb 2005 Posts: 1652 Location: Chattanooga, Tn.

Had similar problem... fix was to re-seat ground wire from wiper control stalk on steering column. Been awhile... think we pulled steering wheel cover to expose controls wiring. Think it a brown wire? or green? attached on R side of column. A phillips head, I think.

Give everything a cleaning with some rubbing alcohol while you are in there. Dilectric grease on seat screw.

good luck... tncean

tncean · Joined: 26 Feb 2005 Posts: 1652 Location: Chattanooga, Tn.

Ground wires on my 90i are at about 25 and 35 min after, as if a clock face, on the steering wheel stalk face. The wheel removed, it will expose the 2 brown wires at the base of the "face" of the wheel mount. These are the ground wires for the control stalks.

Had mine off last Sunday. Thanks to some experienced and generous hands, I now have working odo, new bulbs in gauge panel.

tncean

cjhsa · Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 325 Location: West Michigan

tncean · Joined: 26 Feb 2005 Posts: 1652 Location: Chattanooga, Tn.

Odo had busted gears. Spedo, etc, fine. We pulled wheel to make easier access for gauge panel. My car is a 90i, has airbag.

Experienced person here in Tn did the project.

As stated earlier... wiper problem similar to yours, fix was to re-seat ground wire. Just happened to of had wheel off.

t

cjhsa · Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 325 Location: West Michigan

My speedo and odo only work when it's really cold outside or the car is really hot inside. I figure it's an SI board issue and just use a Magellan to know how fast I'm going. Not worried about the ODO because nobody would buy this car anyway that wasn't a collector or needed parts.
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1984 325e 5-speed coupe
Lapis blau

tncean · Joined: 26 Feb 2005 Posts: 1652 Location: Chattanooga, Tn.

The odo and speedo both receive an electric pulse from the "reader" that is attached to the rear diff. If that ok, then signal might be getting "lost" in SI board/batteries, as you surmise.

t

dale · Joined: 22 Aug 1999 Posts: 3087 Location: Seattle, WA USA

Something that is really common on '80s BMWs with wiper trouble, is the grease on the electrical contact wiper board, on the wiper motor and linkage assembly, the grease gets hard and caked with dust over the years, where it doesn't do a very good job of lubricating anymore. I've been able to take these apart, clean, reinstall, and get them working 100%.

If you're not 100% comfortable working on anything mechanical on the car, get some experienced help working on this, as the wiper assembly has been the biggest PITA of almost anything I've worked on for an E30.
The actual fixing isn't a big deal, the hassle is getting the wiper assembly out of, and then back into the car.

You may be able to remove the black plastic housing cover and clean and regrease these parts without pulling the assembly.

Good luck.

Dale
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87 325 5spd eta

craig325es · Joined: 17 Jul 2001 Posts: 284 Location: Holland, MI / USA

I have a windshield wiper motor assembly from a 1989 325iX you can have for...oh, I don't know...10 bucks maybe? (Gotta prove to the wife it was worth keeping all this stuff!)

If it will work for you and you want it just let me know. It was working when the car was totaled three years ago. It's just sitting around. I live in Holland and work in GR.

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Craig
'86 BMW 325es

cjhsa · Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 325 Location: West Michigan

I might take it, and the window switches. Any idea if the window motors will fit/work in a coupe?
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1984 325e 5-speed coupe
Lapis blau

craig325es · Joined: 17 Jul 2001 Posts: 284 Location: Holland, MI / USA

I sold a couple of the motors last week. The kid who bought them said they were the same. I'll compare part numbers if you want. I have some switches left but not all of them.

Again, the motor is from a 1989, so check the part numbers and let me know.
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Craig
'86 BMW 325es

cjhsa · Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 325 Location: West Michigan

Was it Kirkbride that bought em?
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1984 325e 5-speed coupe
Lapis blau

craig325es · Joined: 17 Jul 2001 Posts: 284 Location: Holland, MI / USA

A young guy names Chris. He saw my CraigsList posting.
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Craig
'86 BMW 325es

cjhsa · Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 325 Location: West Michigan

Ok not the same guy. The guy I mentioned Is a friend of my daughter that I met shortly after moving here. He has been an e30 owner since long before he could drive.
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1984 325e 5-speed coupe
Lapis blau