<E36> Re: New Discovery and some bad dealer experience rants

["Mudry, Robert (CAP, AMR)" <rob.mudry@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

<<<From: "Odd Job" oddjob_007@domain.elided <mailto:oddjob_007@domain.elided>
BMW Digest...

Fellow digesters,
I'm too excited to inform you about a new discovery that I've made over 
the last week end. Maybe some of you guys were already aware of that but 
I wasn't.
If you press the "auto" and the rear window "defrost" buttons at the 
same time while the car is running, the climate controls display's 
changes into a data display.
On the left hand side you will see a number between 1 and 12 and on the 
RHS you will see an other set of numbers. 
If you press + and - of the climate control, you will see that the 
numbers on the LHS change between 1 and 12. I couldn't figure out all of 
the steps between 1 and 12 but I'm sure that step 6 shows the actual rpm 
and step 7 shows the actual speed in km/h.
I also assume that steps 1 and 2 show oil and coolant temperatures.
so it is for you guys to figure out the rest. If I'm correct about 
temperatures, there is no more need for extra gauges.
I hope this was something new for you guys as well. I asked about it to 
my service but they didn't have a clue about it. 
Enjoy your new trick

Harun Simavi
95' CBR 600 (for sale)
97' M3 Dakar Yellow II, Euro snorkel, Supersprint DTM, AC Shifter, AC 
pedals and newly discovered digital display.>>>

Yes, I've seen this 'feature' on a '97 M3, and yes it did have the OBC.  So
maybe that's the reason why it didn't work on someone else's M3. I've tried
it a long time ago on my  '96 328is and it just stared blankly at me.  It
may have something to do with that my Climate Control Unit was replaced at
one point and the BMW tech put a 318 climate control unit or did not
reprogram the unit for the 328.  How did I find out?  Well, I had some weird
problems with the push buttons and when I went to a different dealer, the
tech told me that it was programmed for the 318.  So I suppose those things
come with different software versions/releases, etc.

Speaking of digital climate control units...  Does anyone know how to take
one apart?  Heishman BMW in Arlington VA replaced an interior sensor fan
last Friday, and 10 miles down the road the damn thing almost exploded
inside and started making all kinds of weird loud noises as if the fan was
hitting something.  Freaked me out.  Almost had an accident.  Anyway, I've
just about had it with Heishman.   The car has been there 3 times in past 2
weeks and they still can't get everything right.  They cannot seem to figure
out why my idle is oscillating on startup.  They allegedly fixed a squeaking
clutch, and I heard it squeaking again as soon as the valet pulled in with
the car during pick-up.  They ruined my passenger side lower cushion heating
element while replacing an air bag occupancy sensor and when I had them fix
it the next visit, they diagnosed it with " ...the wires are connected
properly"   This is such BS!    What surprises me is that they seem to have
a pretty good reputation for their service department.  Makes you wonder...

Sorry for this rant, but I needed to vent... (pun intended).  Ironically, as
I was typing this post, BMW NA customer satisfaction survey called.  Boy,
did they catch me at the wrong time...  ;)

Rob Mudry
'96 328is
BMW CCA #135536

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