check engine BMW CONVERTIBLE 1998 Owners Manual

Contents

At a glance
Controls and features

Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning
lamps20
Hazard warning system22
Hazard warning triangle22
First-aid kit22
Refueling23
Fuel specification23
CARB OBD II interface24
Tire inflation pressures25

Locks and security systems:

Keys30
Electronic immobilizing device35
Doors31
Trunk lid33
Luggage compartment34
Power windows35
Sliding/tilt sunroof36
Convertible top operation37

Adjustments:

Seats43
Steering wheel45
Mirrors46

Passenger safety systems:

Safety belts47
Child restraint system48
Installing child seats49
Airbags50
Child-safety locks52
Rollover protection system Ð
convertible52
Driving:

Steering/ignition lock54
Starting the engine54
Switching off the engine55
Parking brake56
Manual transmission57
Automatic transmission58
Turn signals/high beam60
Wiper/washer system61
Cruise control62

Everything under control:

Odometer63
Tachometer63
Energy control63
Fuel gauge64
Coolant temperature gauge64
Service Interval Display64
Multi-Information Display (MID)66
Outside temperature display
and digital clock68
Check Control71
Check Control with outside
temperature display and
digital clock74
Onboard computer77

Technology for driving comfort
and safety:

Automatic stability control
plus traction (ASC+T)84

Controls and features MaintenanceAt a glanceControls Car care Repairs Technical Data Index

19
1 Fuel gauge with low-fuel
warning lamp 64
2 Indicator lamp for turn signals 20
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator and warning lamps for

d

Battery charge current 20

d

High beams 20

d

Engine oil pressure 20
5 Tachometer 63
Energy control 63
6 Coolant temperature gauge 64
7 Indicator and warning lamps for

d

Brake pad wear 20

d

Brake system hydraulics 21

d

Parking brake 21

d

Airbag 50
8 Indicator lamp for ASC+T 20
9 Indicator and warning lamps for

d

Automatic transmission

*
20

d

Warning lamp for Check Control

*

71

d

Please fasten seat belts

*
21

d

ABS 20
10 Trip odometer 63
11 Service Interval Display 64
12 Odometer 6313 Indicator lamps for

d

Foglamps

*
20

d

Emissions-related systems
indicator 21

d

Rollover protection system

*
21
14 Trip odometer reset button 63

Instrument cluster

20

Turn signal left/right, green

k

Flashes when the turn signals
are in operation.

Battery charge current, red

v

Goes out after the engine has
started.
If the lamp comes on during
normal vehicle operation:
The battery is no longer being charged.
Indicates a defect in the generator drive
belt or the charging circuit.

a

If the V-belt is defective, do not run
the coolant pump; overheating and
potential engine damage would result.
Contact your BMW Retailer.

c

High beam, blue

l
Lights up when the high beams
are switched on or the head-
lamp flashers are activated.
Engine oil pressure, redw
Goes out after the engine has
started. May come on briefly at
idle when the engine is hot,
but must go out again at higher engine
speed.
If the lamp comes on during normal vehi-
cle operation: stop vehicle and switch off
engine immediately. Check engine oil
level; if necessary, add oil. If oil level is
correct: contact your BMW Retailer.
Foglamps
*, green
t
Lights up whenever you switch
on the foglamps.
Airbags, redp
This lamp turns on for an oper-
ational check when you turn the
ignition key to position 1. If, at
the operation check, it does not go on,
or goes on while driving, have it checked
at your BMW Retailer.
Additional notes: Page 50
Automatic transmission
*, yellow
O
Goes out after the engine has
started.
Additional notes: Page 58
ASC+T (Automatic Stability
Control plus Traction), yellows
Goes out shortly after the igni-
tion is switched on:
System OK.
Additional notes: Page 84
ABS (Antilock Brake System),
yellowo
Goes out after the engine has
started. If the lamp comes on
during normal vehicle opera-
tion: ABS has been deactivated in
response to a system malfunction. Con-
ventional braking force remains unim-
paired.
Additional notes: Page 103
Brake pad wear, yellow#
Lights up when starter is actu-
ated and goes out when the
engine is started.
If the lamp comes on during normal
vehicle operation: replace brake pads
immediately.
a
Use only original BMW-approved
brake pads otherwise the vehicle
authorization is no longer valid.c
Indicator and warning lamps

At a glanceControls Car care Repairs Technical Data Index
21
Brake hydraulics, redn
Goes out after the engine has
started.
If the lamp comes on during
normal vehicle operation: low brake
fluid. Additional notes: Page 128
Parking brake, redm
Goes out after the engine has
started. Comes on when you
engage the parking brake.
Additional notes: Page 56
Emissions-related systemsY
Lamp goes out once engine
starts.
If this indicator lamp lights up
during normal vehicle operation, either
continuously or intermittently, this indi-
cates a fault in one of the emissions-
related electronic circuits. Although the
vehicle remains operational, you should
have the systems checked by a BMW
Retailer at the earliest possible opportu-
nity.
Please fasten safety belts
*, red
q
(With acoustic signal
if the
driverÕs belt is not buckled).
Lights up briefly when the
ignition key is turned, and then goes out
(in some models it goes out after you
fasten safety belts).
BMW Convertible
Rollover Protection System
*,
yellow
;
Goes out shortly after the igni-
tion is switched on:
System OK.
Indicator and warning lamps

28
Locks and security systems:
Keys30
Electronic vehicle immobilizer 30
Doors31
Luggage compartment lid33
Luggage compartment34
Power windows35
Sliding/tilt sunroof36
Convertible top operation37
Adjustments:
Seats43
Steering wheel45
Mirrors46
Passenger safety systems:
Safety belts47
Child restraint system48
Installing child seats49
Airbags50
Child-safety locks52
Rollover protection system Ð
convertible52Driving:
Steering/ignition lock54
Starting the engine54
Switching off the engine55
Parking brake56
Manual transmission57
Automatic transmission58
Turn signals/high beam60
Wiper/washer system61
Cruise control62
Everything under control:
Odometer63
Tachometer63
Energy control63
Fuel gauge64
Coolant temperature gauge64
Service Interval Display64
Multi-Information Display (MID)66
Outside temperature display
and digital clock68
Check Control71
Check Control with outside
temperature display and
digital clock74
Onboard computer77

64
When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp comes on briefly to indi-
cate that the system is operational.
If the indicator lamp comes on and
stays on, there are approx. 2.1 gallons
(8 liters) of fuel in the tank.
Tank volume: Page 166.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies, e.g.,
when you are driving in mountainous
areas, this may cause the needle to
fluctuate slightly.
a
Please refuel early, as driving
to the last drop of fuel can result in
damage to the engine and/or catalytic
converter.c
BlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at moder-
ate engine and vehicle speeds.RedIndicator lamp comes on, the warning
"COOLANT TEMPERATURE" appears
in Check Control
*: engine overheated.
Switch off the engine immediately and
allow it to cool down.
Between the blue and red sectorsNormal operating range. It is not un-
usual for the needle to rise as far as the
edge of the red sector in response to
high outside temperatures or severe
operating conditions.
Checking coolant level: Page 127.
Green lampsThe number of illuminated lamps
decreases as the time for your next
maintenance visit approaches.Yellow lamp This field appears together with
OILSERVICE or INSPECTION.
Maintenance is due. Please contact
your BMW Retailer for an appointment.Red lampMaintenance overdue.
F
R
12
UNLEADED GASOLINE
ONLY
360us032
360de007
360us009
Fuel gauge Coolant temperature Service Interval Display

82
Switch on directlyAvailable only with ignition key at posi-
tion 1.
Key sequence as in illustration.Switch off directlyIn ignition key position 1: key sequence
as in the illustration.
In ignition key position 0: press only the
key SET/RES.
Enter codeIn addition to electronic vehicle immo-
bilization (refer to page 30), you can
attain further engine immobilization or
protection against tampering by enter-
ing a code into the onboard computer.
A code number is used to arm the sys-
tem. The code is then required for sub-
sequent starting attempts. Always
remember the code number.To set (ignition key in position 1):
Press the keys in the sequence illus-
trated and then turn the ignition key into
position 0 or remove the key.
Code numbers from "0000" to "9999"
can be entered. (You will have to re-
enter the code each time you activate
the system).
The LED lights up for up to 36 hours
with the ignition key in position 0 or with
the key removed. If the LED flashes for
10 seconds the engine hood has not
been closed or the radio has been
removed.
To cancel with ignition key in position 1
or 2:
A gong and the display "---- Code"
request you to enter a code.
dUse entry keys to enter the code
number
dPress the SET/RES key
dStart the engine.
The system responds to attempts to
start the vehicle using an incorrect code
or no code at all by preventing the
engine from starting.
2
1TIMER
km/mls
MEMOSET/RES 1000 100
10 1
SPEED CONSUM TEMP DIST CHECK CLOCK
DATE
LIMIT RANGE CODE
360us313
360us122
Onboard computer*

10 3
At a glanceControlsCar careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
ABS enhances active safety by helping
to prevent the wheels from locking under
braking. When the front wheels slide, the
driver loses steering control over the
vehicle. Traction loss at the rear wheels
can cause the rear end to break into
uncontrolled oversteer.
ABS is designed to meet two essential
requirements during every application:
dto help provide vehicle stability on all
types of road surface (asphalt,
cement, dirt, moisture, snow and ice).
dto help to retain steering and maneu-
vering capability under the same con-
ditions.
However, certain important consider-
ations must be borne in mind in connec-
tion with these requirements:
Not even ABS can suspend the normal
laws of physics. ABS alone can not pre-
vent accidents when the brakes are
applied without an adequate safety
interval between vehicles, when the car
reaches excessive rates of lateral accel-
eration in curves, or if aquaplaning
occurs. Responsibility for these types of
situations remains in the hands (and feet)
of the driver. You should never allow the
added safety of ABS to lull you into a
false sense of security, or mislead you
into taking increased risks that could
affect your own safety and that of others.
Driving with ABSThe yellow ABS warning in the instru-
ment panel goes out as soon as the
engine is started.
The system becomes operative once the
vehicle exceeds a speed of 5 mph
(8 km/h). The ABS is deactivated when-
ever the vehicle's speed drops below
approx. 2 mph (3 km/h). This means that
the wheels can lock in the Þnal phase of
a braking action - a factor of no signiÞ-
cance in actual practice.
The ABS system closed-loop control cir-
cuit cycles in fractions of a second. A
pulsation at the brake pedal indicates to
the driver that ABS is active, that is, that
the car is within its maximum braking
range. In addition, the audible pulsation
that accompanies the control operation
calls your attention to the reduced trac-
tion between tires and road surface
(marginal adhesion), and reminds you
that the vehicle's speed should be
reduced to adapt to road conditions.On road surfaces featuring a loose top
layer on a Þrmer substratum, e.g., on
gravel or snow, the braking distances
with ABS may be longer than with the
wheels locked. However, ABS continues
to provide enhanced vehicle and steer-
ing control under these conditions.
a
To ensure that the system remains
completely operational, never modify the
ABS. Service procedures on ABS are to
be performed by authorized technicians
only.c
ABS may fail to function with maximum
efÞciency when tires of different sizes
are mounted (e.g., winter tires/spare tire;
remount the correct tires at all wheels as
soon as possible).
In the event of a fault, the ABS warning
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up,
refer to page 18. The braking system
then reverts to conventional operation as
on a vehicle without ABS. However,
have the brake system checked by your
BMW Retailer as soon as possible. To
prevent undetected defects and cumu-
lative faults from adversely affecting the
brake system, refer any problems to
your authorized BMW Retailer at the
earliest opportunity.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)

12 4
Headlamp washer
* and
windshield washer
Capacity approx. 2.65 US quarts
(2.5 liters) for the windshield washer or
5.3 US quarts (5 liters) in conjunction
with the headlamp cleaning system.
Fill with water and - if required - with
antifreeze (according to the manufac-
turer's recommendations).b
We recommend that you mix the
washer fluid before adding it to the res-
ervoir.c
Windshield washer spray
nozzles The spray from the nozzles should be
directed so as to ensure effective
cleaning, even at high speeds.
Use a needle to adjust the nozzles as
required, or have them adjusted by your
BMW Retailer.
Checking oil level As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions.
Consequently you should check the oil
level regularly with the vehicle posi-
tioned on a level surface - approx. every
600 miles (1,000 km), or more fre-
quently if your vehicle is driven under
increased demands.
To obtain precise readings:
dCheck with engine cold, before start-
ing.
dWhen checking with the engine
warm, wait briefly for the oil to drain
back down into the oil pan (e.g.,
while refueling).
360de100
360de095
Washer fluids Engine oil

12 9
At a glanceControlsCar careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
High steering effort:
Check oil level, refer to previous page.
High steering effort during sudden tran-
sitions:
Please contact your BMW Retailer for
an immediate inspection.a
If the power steering fails, in-
creased effort will be required to steer
the vehicle.c
In the engine compartment on the right-
hand side of the heater partition panel
(arrow).
The information on the type plate and
the Vehicle Identification Number must
match those contained in the vehicle
papers.
These data are essential for processing
inquiries, expediting service procedures
and when ordering replacement parts.
360de310
Power steering fluid Vehicle Identification Number