monty23psk

[monty23psk]

Received my new gift, a programmable wiper module from Innovative Goods who is on the forums on R3Vlimited.

Here is the link to the product:
http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=400403

I remove the old one, removed the cover to it, added it it to the new module and works like a charm. Now I can program my delay in seconds in the lowest speed. Also a nice feature is when you activate the washer pump, it sprays before it begins to swipe and there is are 2 clean swipes a few seconds later after the washer stops pumping fluid on the windshield.

Here are the pics of the module and it with the cover with the old one next to it.

[monty23psk]

Hey everyone, just another quick update. I decide to overhaul my instrument gauge cluster. Something I started about 9 years ago, I finally completed. The SI board was bad when I bought the car and had it swapped Programa, which is probably the most popular company for the repairs is located near my home town so I get lucky with quick turn arounds for a replacement board. Also, when I bought the car, I knew I would overhaul the cluster so I bought a use cluster off the forums and decided to make my own extension cables. My plan was to place the cluster on top of dashboard for any testing to then fix things quickly before installing it back into the dashboard. I unsoldered the AMP terminations from the borrowed cluster to make 10-12" extensions. I used the same pin out at my m42 so this might not work on other e30 cars. Also, the m42 came with Motometer clusters, not the common VDO ones.

Well the SI board went bad again and needed to swap it out. I took this time to finish the pigtails and overhaul the cluster.

Here is a picture of the pigtails. I will take some of them installed in the near future.


I have also tested a few LED bulbs and have found everyone one to swap out in all the correct colors from SuperBrightLEDs.com. I just placed the order and hope to have the cluster hooked up this weekend. I also cleaned the gauge faces and repainted the needles red as I had paint smears from the first time. Novice mistakes.

I was thinking of renting this cables even though they will be limited or maybe even sell them.

[monty23psk]

While waiting for my LED bulbs to arrive, I got the case of the cluster and decided to try something. I have the ColorBond BMW black for interior pieces and wanted to see what if the inside of the cluster was black instead of the gray. Here is a picture of the two. I am leaning towards the black. It seems to pop out the black of the gauges and the red needles.

The fuel and temp needles are not done at this point. Also, the LEDs should stand out more this way.

Which one do you like? I still would move the trim rings over.

Original (Gray)


New (Black)

[monty23psk]

Here is the black cluster with 2 of the rings. I will be going with the black version and now deciding to get black satin rings or keep these aluminum ones.

[monty23psk]

In the end, decided to go with the black refreshed cluster and then went with some satin black clusters rings. While the aluminum had a nice contrast, it didnt match the stainless steel color of the shifter/ebrake and I rather a more less subtle contrast to match closer to stock. The satin rings just do it right. I have all the LEDS in and working and hope to post a picture of it when it is all installed.

Here is a before and after:



After:

[DesktopDave]

IMHO you made the right choice on the color combo, although every choice was tasteful/somber enough that it would have worked. I wasn't familiar with two different shades in the clusters, was that OEM BMW or aftermarket? Either way, I like it.

Those trim rings certainly modernize & refresh the relatively old-fashioned E30 cluster. It's a subtle difference...only an expert would notice...but it's apparent every time you drive!

[monty23psk]

Thanks Dave. I wasn't familiar with two shades but others chimed in other forums that the gray is OEM it just faded a little over time. It was never this deep of a black. This is what I figured and either way, the black freshens it up as you stated and makes it nice looking with the amber glow of the bright LEDs.

[monty23psk]

Here is a picture of the cluster with the light on at night. Used phone this time. The glow in the MGP gauge is nice at night due to the strength of the bulbs but more subtle in person.



Here is picture of all the lights showing the LED colors. The turn signal greens are blinding, that is for sure. I still need the gas to go down to the reserve to kick in the amber low fuel light. Other than that, all is working as it should. I do recommend this update. The camera is not the best to get the lower lights nice and I wasn't going to play with filters to get it nice. I can show it to anyone in person if they like...lol.

[monty23psk]

Small update. I installed a Mtech1 steering wheel. My dad had a 87 635csi in the mid 90s and my sister wrecked it. But right before that happened, he had bought a brand new steering wheel. I am guessing about $200 at the time. He has had it in storage for over 15 years since we parted the car in his work warehouse not covered. It was covered in dust and wood shavings as it is a freight forwarding company. The heat was also not good for it. I asked to borrow it until I get an mtech2 version as he forgot about it. I told him it needs to go into his e28 535i when I am done with it. It was so bad that I had to give it a good cleaning as it was very tacky. Took horn pads apart to give the rubber a cleaning and then applied Leatherique oil and clean to revive the leather. It is night and day but I need to give it another pass in a few weeks as some areas have a dry patch. Here is the pic of it installed. I had to use two 5/8 lock washers from home depot in the meantime until I can get the proper spacer from BMW as combined, they meet the same 14mm as the BMW spacer. I have the PN but I want to try on getting a thinner spacer. I want the gap between the wheel and column to be smaller. The stalks on the side are so much closer and cool but still need to get use to it or can always try to get non-airbag switches as worst case.

[DesktopDave]

That's looking great! Your idea about shimming the E28 wheel slightly is also a really good idea...even with the proper spacers there is always a fairly large gap at the clamshell housings.

I swapped in some non-airbag stalks when I fitted the three-spoke 'sport' wheel on mine, it's an easy fix. I've had a little trouble finding decent switches recently, I worry that E30 parts are drying up. You can also use E23, E28 & late model E24 parts, they're more or less the same parts, just minor detail differences.

[monty23psk]

Little update. I bought a LED bulb for my 3rd brake light like I have on my e39. I also installed the George Graves voltmeter SI light replacement that I bought over 2 years ago.  It works like a charm, and tells me my voltage and I can see my issue that unless I rev the car to 3k RPM, the alternator does not kick in via the excite wire. My research states its an internal fault or voltage regulator. I just got my Bosch VR and will install it later this week. But another thing that looks to be fixed is my Brake Lining light. It always flickers and after research 5 years ago, and with the cluster out, I took a crack at it, no pun intended. There is a resistor on the back of the main cluster board that over time due to heat, will have the solder points crack. Sure enough they were and resistor was rocking on the pins/solder. Added a little solder and now its solid. Now when car is powered on, the light is quiet as a mouse. I still need to drive it to see how it works with movement and vibration but confident it should be fine.

Here is a pic of the LED bulb from SuperBrightLEDS.com.

[monty23psk]

I got my steering wheel spacers. I found out in the ETK there is a smaller ring on the end, towards the firewall that looks smaller. I receive it and sure enough, same diameter but 7mm in length, not 14mm. Its half in size. So instead of having a ~1/2 inch gap from column to steering wheel, it is much closer, about 1/4 now. The switches are closer and will still have to get use to it but if I dont like, it, I have the standard 14mm spacer to swap in.

The smaller one is on the right. Left is the standard one we all get. If I use both 14mm spacers, it brings it back to airbag oem distance but the gap is insanely huge.



Here is picture with no spacer:


Here is the picture with the 7mm ring:


I also fixed my exicter wire issue. I decide to replace the voltage regulator and glad I did, because the brushes were all wasted. I know bet 14.1 instead of 13.6. This still didnt fix my issue on the exciter circuit. I did more research and decided to put the regular bulb back in because the LEDs work at 3v or less. Sure enough, that was it. I know have it working just fine and this is the only bulb I was not able to swap out with an LED.

Here is a picture of the old and new VR. I went with a Bosch new unit and I replaced it with everything still mounted in the car. Very easy job. I have done some in the past on other cars.
 

[monty23psk]

Another update. I have some rust pitting on my trunk lid, so I grinded it out, and then treated it with an epoxy primer and then bought a can of factory color in a spray can from paintsratch.com. Then applied 3 coats of clear. Nothing professionally looking but it covers the white keeps it going until I paint my car. But with with leftover product, I decide to primer my tow hook and rear strut bar, which was unfinished. Here are a few pictures.

Primer:


Here is the bar painted with 3 coats of paint and 3 of clear:


Here is it installed. Sound system is a mess because I am changing the configuration:

[monty23psk]

A few more updates.

Here is the tow hook painted and cleared in body color, after the fast etch and primer. Also a picture of it installed. Matches rear strut bar nicely.




With extra paint, I painted the front IS lip spoiler that I have owned new for over 5 years. I also installed the Ryan G splitter that I bought at that time. I also installed new clips to hold the lip plus a tow hook cover.







Here is a picture of it installed. Exterior needs more work, parts and paint.


I also got my 2nd rim, 16x7.5 e28 m5 wheel. It looks like they were going to refinish it as the paint was stripped. 2 more to find and don't want to buy them new.

[monty23psk]

My OEM glovebox flashlight was getting worst and worst on light output. I found a DYI for replace the button batteries with a AAA version that home phone uses. This was done in Europe so sourcing US equivalent parts took a week to find but I got it. I opened it up and little by little solder in the new components and boy is it bright. The bulb is yellow but its has a bright white output around 5700K color.

Here is a picture of the insides:


Any one here going to the Vintage in NC? I registered on 1/1 and this will be my first time.