Dumb Question Thread - No Flaming Allowed

[zzyzx85]

Hello,

I received camber plates like this from GC. That doesn’t seem normal. Balls were falling off when I opened the package. I am not sure how to assemble it. Anyone had the same experience ?

It looks like the "missing" half is stuck in the piece on the left of the photo. It should be a plastic piece with a round groove that's coated in grease.

[Tbonem3]

Hello,

I received camber plates like this from GC. That doesn’t seem normal. Balls were falling off when I opened the package. I am not sure how to assemble it. Anyone had the same experience ?

I have a complete pair of those yellow/black bearings I can sell you if you want. I have a new set for $34 shipped usps or a lightly used set I'll sell for $25 shipped. New is $50 after tax.

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/classifieds/members-parts-for-sale-wtb/e46/183357-genuine-bmw-strut-perches-bearings-for-stock-mounts-some-camber-plates

[MTiz]

How do I get this illuminated shift knob to work? It came with wires but no connector. Got it off eBay for $60. In my mind I want to just take the old connector off and reuse it but is that even possible? Is there a diy for this somewhere, with pics? I know nothing about wiring but would like to figure this out.

[Tbonem3]

Buy a plug from the dealer/online vendor and wire it up. Find the right plug on realoem.com

Or buy a broken shift knob and cut off the plug and repurpose it.

[zzyzx85]

has anyone ever seen the gauge cluster (either speed or tach, i forget) needle "jump" when the car is off? I last recall seeing it do that when I turned the car off and removed the key but it could have been when I opened or closed the door.

I've chalked if off as old car quirks but wondered if anyone else has seen it.

[Slideways]

has anyone ever seen the gauge cluster (either speed or tach, i forget) needle "jump" when the car is off? I last recall seeing it do that when I turned the car off and removed the key but it could have been when I opened or closed the door.

I've chalked if off as old car quirks but wondered if anyone else has seen it.

Yeah, it tends to only do it when opening the door as the cluster and other components get power after sitting for a while.

[zzyzx85]

Yeah, it tends to only do it when opening the door as the cluster and other components get power after sitting for a while.

thanks for confirming. I thought there was something wrong electrically because I haven't seen that in any other car but BMWs (my old E30 did it too lol)

[fourmula1]

Request: For anyone running 13.5" front and 13" rear ride height as measured from center of wheel to fender lip. Could you take measurements from the ground to a fixed point on the chassis under the car for the front and rear (not body or rocker panels). Ideally you would be on 18's and a track oriented tire profile, but anything will help me.

Much appreciated.

[Dino]

Hey guys, looking for some help on a starting problem I’ve been having. My car will sometimes start up just fine but sometimes it won’t turn over just get a single click. This usually happens after the car started in the morning and I turn it off briefly after getting to my destination, when I come back it doesn’t start.

I’ve replaced the battery days ago and alternator recently. Starter I don’t think has ever changed, mileage is at 72,000.

If anyone experienced this one click issue when cranking I would love to hear if it was the starter or something else.

Thanks!

[E46m3zcp]

Here is a dumb question: where was the owner's manual stored when the car came new?

Mine does not have a leather case or anything, I have 3-4 booklets that I keep in a desk at home because I'm not sure where they're supposed to be stored in the car.

[Slideways]

Here is a dumb question: where was the owner's manual stored when the car came new?

Mine does not have a leather case or anything, I have 3-4 booklets that I keep in a desk at home because I'm not sure where they're supposed to be stored in the car.

To my knowledge, there is no specific storage for it in the car. If you did not received the leather case with the car and the car was purchased 2nd hand, the case is probably lost or with a previous owner. You should be able to get one off eBay for $30-40.

[Cubieman]

Hey guys, looking for some help on a starting problem I’ve been having. My car will sometimes start up just fine but sometimes it won’t turn over just get a single click. This usually happens after the car started in the morning and I turn it off briefly after getting to my destination, when I come back it doesn’t start.

I’ve replaced the battery days ago and alternator recently. Starter I don’t think has ever changed, mileage is at 72,000.

If anyone experienced this one click issue when cranking I would love to hear if it was the starter or something else.

Thanks!

Just a thought..
I had an issue once in which I was an intermittent no crank due to the clutch switch not being engaged. That was the fault of an improperly adjusted clutch stop. Your single click if different, but similar.

If you have a 6 speed move the clutch pedal by hand and listen for an audible click from the relay.

[heinzboehmer]

Hey guys, looking for some help on a starting problem I’ve been having. My car will sometimes start up just fine but sometimes it won’t turn over just get a single click. This usually happens after the car started in the morning and I turn it off briefly after getting to my destination, when I come back it doesn’t start.

I’ve replaced the battery days ago and alternator recently. Starter I don’t think has ever changed, mileage is at 72,000.

If anyone experienced this one click issue when cranking I would love to hear if it was the starter or something else.

Thanks!

I had the same symptoms in my car. Cleaned starter terminals and did some other stuff to try to resolve it. Starter swap ultimately ended up being the fix for me.

[L0okitzRaj]

I dropped the quarter glass nut down the b pilar, i tried the magnet, and couldn't find it.

Whats the part number to the nut? I tried realoem, but i couldnt find hte right diagram as the glazing diagram didn't have the nut.

Also looked in the abc, trim panel diagram and it wasn't tehre.

[Nate047]

My car has been having a weird starting/battery problem lately. Most times, I go out to the car, unlock it, start it up, totally fine. But occasionally, the car will act as if the battery is completely dead. Usually this happens after I have been driving the car for a while, park, then try to start it up again. No crank, no windows, no power locks. But then I might go away for 5 or 10 minutes, come back, and it's fine and starts right up. I'm so confused.

I can jump start and bump start it on a downhill and it acts completely normal. And the battery IS charged, it's an OPTIMA Red Top and I have pulled it and recharged it out of the car twice in the last two months. Neither time was it under 75% but I charged it fully anyway. Connections are good. Where do I start on this?