RE: questions about bongs

[Jeff Pharr <pharr@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Pat Donahue wrote>
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> 
> Andy asks:
> > 
> > I have a '95 M3 w/ OBC, and when it's started in
> > cold weather the temperature flashes a few times
> > but there's no "bonging" sound. 
> > 
> > I guess the PO of my car disabled the bong (is
> > this even possible?)
> 
> I would guess that they just disconnected the wires to the "bong"
> module (I
> remember when you got busted for carrying those around) which is in
> the driver's
> footwell.  The modules I've seen sit in the panel under the dash above
> your
> feet.  If you lower that down you can probably see if the wires are
> disconnected.
> 
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> ****************************
> 
> I think you will find that your bong is working just fine.  If the
> temp is below the "bong temp" when you start the car, the temp readout
> will be selected on the OBC and will be flashing, but no bong will
> sound.  You will only hear the bong if the temp goes above the "bong
> temp" and then drops back down.
> 
> Try this bong experiment:
> Drive the car for a while and after it reaches operating temp, turn
> the car off for a minute.  The outside air temp will then shoot up
> above the "bong temp" unless you are parked somewhere in the arctic
> circle.  Now start the car and drive off.  As the temp rapidly falls
> you should hear the bong as it goes below 38.
> 
> And Bil Powell wrote>
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> 
> I must have missed part of this thread, and I have been wondering for
> a long
> time:
> Why DOES the OBC make that 'bong' when the temp dips below 38 degress?
> 
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> ****************************
> Why does it bong at all?  Well, people will offer lots of
> techno-babble about how this warns you that outside temps have reached
> the point where ice may be forming on roads and bridges, but they will
> all be wrong.  The truth is much more interesting.  Place a case of
> your favorite German Lager in the trunk and drive off.  The bong will
> sound when the beer has reached the proper serving temperature.  This
> is, of course, based on average outside temp during Octoberfest in
> Germany.
> 
> --Jeff
> Required Mark content:
> 
> Quiz:  How many Marks does it take to change a lightbulb?
> 
> Answer:
> Two.  One to replace the bulb and one to light the flamethrower.
> 
> Or:
> 
> Two.  One to boast about how much brighter the new 61 watt lightbulb
> is compared to the old 60 watt lightbulb, and one to talk about all
> the lightbulbs they have replaced in the past.  Wait, no one actually
> replaced the bulb...
> 
> Or how about:
> 
> None.  They can't be convinced it's dark.
> 
> Go ahead.  Try it yourself.  It's fun...
> 

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