Dashboard LED, and heavy steering
Paul Rayner
11-15-2004, 09:55 AM
Hi so I have just bought a 1996 740 and it's in fabulous condition with a couple of exceptions - any advice would be welcome.
Both the radio and dash board display "LED's" have pixels missing maiking it hard to read. Can I repair or replace these?
The steering is quite heavy when driving slowly. can this be repaired or adjusted?
Thanks
Both the radio and dash board display "LED's" have pixels missing maiking it hard to read. Can I repair or replace these?
The steering is quite heavy when driving slowly. can this be repaired or adjusted?
Thanks
Boinggg
11-15-2004, 10:01 AM
As for the steering problem check your belt it could be sloppy and very worn causing it to become harder to control when your rpm's are down.....
libertylover
11-17-2004, 07:44 AM
Adding to Boinggg's reply, check a recent post called "Battery Light". I think that guy had power steering fluid leaking onto his belt causing it to slip.
Hopefully, it's as simple as a lose belt but... You didn't say if your car is a 740i or 740iL. The 740iL models have a system that levels the rear suspension and this system shares hydraulic fluid and a piggyback pump with the power steering sytem. You should check the level of this fluid reservoir-it's about 4 inches in diameter and 8 inches tall. When you take the cap off all you see is a metal screen. Remove this screen (10 mm nut) and check the fluid level. It should be about 1 inch or so from the top. If it's low you'll need to add the special fluid stated on the cap-Pentosil something-or-other. The only place I know to get it is from the dealer for about $20/liter.
If it's VERY low you should check for leaks including at the rear struts and their associated cartoon-like "bombs" (you'll see). The struts are very expensive to replace and hopefully they're OK. If it's a slow leak or something you might just need to refill the system and bleed the air out.
The steering on your BMW is variable based on speed and there is a possibility that the control module for that is kaput. It's in one of the footwells but I can't think of the name of it right now. Write back if you don't fix it via a belt or leak.
Re missing pixels:
Here's a link I found for getting BMW to fix the problem free. Look under "Electronics" http://www.e38.org/
Also, I know I've seen the solution to this on www.roadfly.org but I couldn't find it in the archives. I'd suggest you join and re-ask your question there. Even though your car is an E38, it maybe best to ask/look under the E32 section because the folks there do a lot more of their own fixes than the folks in the E38 section.
Hopefully, it's as simple as a lose belt but... You didn't say if your car is a 740i or 740iL. The 740iL models have a system that levels the rear suspension and this system shares hydraulic fluid and a piggyback pump with the power steering sytem. You should check the level of this fluid reservoir-it's about 4 inches in diameter and 8 inches tall. When you take the cap off all you see is a metal screen. Remove this screen (10 mm nut) and check the fluid level. It should be about 1 inch or so from the top. If it's low you'll need to add the special fluid stated on the cap-Pentosil something-or-other. The only place I know to get it is from the dealer for about $20/liter.
If it's VERY low you should check for leaks including at the rear struts and their associated cartoon-like "bombs" (you'll see). The struts are very expensive to replace and hopefully they're OK. If it's a slow leak or something you might just need to refill the system and bleed the air out.
The steering on your BMW is variable based on speed and there is a possibility that the control module for that is kaput. It's in one of the footwells but I can't think of the name of it right now. Write back if you don't fix it via a belt or leak.
Re missing pixels:
Here's a link I found for getting BMW to fix the problem free. Look under "Electronics" http://www.e38.org/
Also, I know I've seen the solution to this on www.roadfly.org but I couldn't find it in the archives. I'd suggest you join and re-ask your question there. Even though your car is an E38, it maybe best to ask/look under the E32 section because the folks there do a lot more of their own fixes than the folks in the E38 section.
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