New Z4 owner seeking advice

A

Andywoo

Member
Hi All
I've had the 2003 E85 for a week now and have come across some issues that I'm hoping someone will be able to help with please:

1.Bonnet keeps popping up, I've tried oiling the cable and adjusting everything including the release cable but it still pops up, It clicks when I push it down as normal.
2. Coolant level Amber warning on dash sometimes, I've checked the level and it was a little high but still some on intermittently.
3. NS door speakers, tweeter and main, don't work, I've taken the panel off and noticed that someone has chopped the wires and tried to connect cables together without the connectors, is there somewhere that sells male and female wired connectors so I can connect them up? I've bought used speakers to replace.
4. Trying to get airvent above the stereo out so can connect a Bluetooth Adapter to the harness, but I've looked through loads of videos and still cannot release any metal clips as I can't see any in there.
5. EML Amber light on constantly, I guess it will need a reader to look for codes, I did have OBD11 with my previous car (Audi), but what is the best similar use for BMW please?

Sorry for all the questions on my first post, I love the drive of the car though and just want these minor issues ironed out.
Cheers
Andy
 
Hey Andy

A few answers- assuming you are ok with the spanner’s?!

Bonnet catch- you can wind out the loop on the bonnet to sit more into the catch… pop the cover off and you’ll see it screws in/out. Be careful as if you force it and it snaps off you’ll be needing a new bonnet so get a load of penetrating fluid in and let it soak

Sensors in the expansion tank can stick. If the level is ok just keep checking it, or replace the tank they aren’t expensive

Most car spares places will sell male/female aftermarket connectors like bullet connectors. You can find the wiring diagrams on here if you search for them

The air vent is one of the most difficult things to pop out so don’t worry. find the two recesses at the top of the vent and shine a torch, you should see two metal clips. Get a pick or similar in, round and down. Once there put something in to hold it down. Repeat on the 2nd one and then pull the vent forward. It’s difficult but possible.

EML get it scanned. Don’t buy a cheap reader get something half decent like a creator 310 which will allow you to do airbag lights etc

Good luck you’ll love having a z4!!

Stuart
 
Hi and welcome to the forum Andy. :thumbsup:

It looks like Stuart has covered everything so now all we need is a photo or two of your Z4!
 
Thanks for welcomes and the replies :D

The only thing I did not try for the bonnet was the actual loop, I'll try that tomorrow!

I did try to find the catches in the vent top but can't find them, again I'll persevere with it as I know they should be there.

Does the creator 310 allow you to clear codes do you know please?

The wires for the speakers were connected already but they were cut and put into some bullet connectors, I was assuming that because of the weird connectors on the speakers that the signal was not being sent correctly which is why they are not working.
I am loving the car tbf, especially in sport mode :D :D
Thanks Stuart for your advice again :thumbsup:
 
Welcome along- I’m sure you willl get your Z sorted soon. The c310 does allow you to clear codes :thumbsup:
 
Andywoo said:
Thanks for welcomes and the replies :D

The only thing I did not try for the bonnet was the actual loop, I'll try that tomorrow!

I did try to find the catches in the vent top but can't find them, again I'll persevere with it as I know they should be there.

Does the creator 310 allow you to clear codes do you know please?

The wires for the speakers were connected already but they were cut and put into some bullet connectors, I was assuming that because of the weird connectors on the speakers that the signal was not being sent correctly which is why they are not working.
I am loving the car tbf, especially in sport mode :D :D
Thanks Stuart for your advice again :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Welcome aboard.
Those vent clips are a sod.................until you know how, then you look like some kind of god!
 
Here’s a pic to help you find the tabs Andy!

I thought I would never do it but can now do it in less than a minute. Also, get a trim removal kit from eBay to help lever things out without damaging the surrounding trim.

Use a small, cheap flathead screwdriver with the pointy end slightly bent for the two metal tabs on the vent (pictured).
 

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Agree good code reader is the Creator 310+ or their newer 410+ circa £50 on eBay or Amazon. Covers all BMW models not other makes. Very portable handy to keep in the boot/ trunk. If you get hooked on diagnostics then consider laptop based software BMW Inpa and it's suite of software interface cable and software on eBay, software now comes on a usb stick rather than on a CD. I also use BMW Scanner 1.4 which is very simple to install and operate, it will read all modules on the car and has limited coding facility on some modules. It will reset Transport mode should a low battery condition set it but cannot delete transport mode.
For a more powerful tool you need one of the Tablet type tools like Autel or Launch or Topdon, you can spend from £300 to £1k on these tools, I use a Launch tablet (Chinese Clone) paid £300 for mine now around £360, works perfectly and have 2 years free updates. Will still function with last updates if you don't buy the update package.
 
colb said:
Agree good code reader is the Creator 310+ or their newer 410+ circa £50 on eBay or Amazon. Covers all BMW models not other makes. Very portable handy to keep in the boot/ trunk. If you get hooked on diagnostics then consider laptop based software BMW Inpa and it's suite of software interface cable and software on eBay, software now comes on a usb stick rather than on a CD. I also use BMW Scanner 1.4 which is very simple to install and operate, it will read all modules on the car and has limited coding facility on some modules. It will reset Transport mode should a low battery condition set it but cannot delete transport mode.
For a more powerful tool you need one of the Tablet type tools like Autel or Launch or Topdon, you can spend from £300 to £1k on these tools, I use a Launch tablet (Chinese Clone) paid £300 for mine now around £360, works perfectly and have 2 years free updates. Will still function with last updates if you don't buy the update package.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info, I bought the 410+ and have used it to clear the code which I'll post below if I can work out how to attach a picture :? :?
 
Please see the codes that have come up with the reader. The car runs fine, apart from a tiny bit of rev bounce on idle.
Is this a massive problem does anyone know?
It did clear the code, and worked fine on a 30 mile trip to work, but half way back it popped up the eml at some traffic lights
 

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salfer said:
Here’s a pic to help you find the tabs Andy!

I thought I would never do it but can now do it in less than a minute. Also, get a trim removal kit from eBay to help lever things out without damaging the surrounding trim.

Use a small, cheap flathead screwdriver with the pointy end slightly bent for the two metal tabs on the vent (pictured).
Click to expand...

Sorted it! You have to kind of get a screwdriver in from a horizontal angle and pull the metal clips down which I could not see at first, thanks for your advice it really helped :D
 
With those codes look for an air leak across the engine vacuum system from Maf to exhaust look for holes or split hoses and intake boots. Smoke test will find any you can't find visually. High fuel trims are a giveaway for air leaks and bad running as the car think's it's running lean so increases fuel at the injectors will add 20% more fuel till it gives up and sets the EML.
 
colb said:
With those codes look for an air leak across the engine vacuum system from Maf to exhaust look for holes or split hoses and intake boots. Smoke test will find any you can't find visually. High fuel trims are a giveaway for air leaks and bad running as the car think's it's running lean so increases fuel at the injectors will add 20% more fuel till it gives up and sets the EML.
Click to expand...
Thanks! I'll give it a look over and update with findings, much appreciated 👍
 
Ha! Found the cause of what I assume is causing the eml light and mixture issue, a small pipe was hanging down that attached to half way down the main big pipe, it had a spigot bit coming off it which appears to have perished and split, I've managed to push the small pipe into the hole and it's held in there pretty tight, so fingers crossed it might have cured the problem.
Another weird thing happened earlier on way home from work, the coolant level sensor warning comes on intermittently but tonight whilst in traffic for a second or two the engine heat dial went to the red and bleeped, as soon as I pulled away it went off and went straight back to normal level? Anybody have any idea what could be going on here please? The fan kicks in when stationary if it helps.
 
Update: I've bought a new coolant level sensor as I'm hedging my bets that it's that part that is causing the issue.
Is this is simple job or do I need to take to a mechanic to sort?
 
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