temperature gauge needle rearely leaves blue zone

[325e1984]

i am vertually a BMW virgin, having accuired one just a month ago.
Here's a few kinks to ponder:

a)the temperature gauge needle rearely leaves the blue zone, even though the temps in Seattle are mild 35-50 degreeshe. the coolant light on the check panel is on most, but not all the time.
the upper radiator houses are plenty warm though, as well as the engine's head. is it normal or am i tripping over nothing? the car runs fine, has good power and doesn't burn or leak oil, knock on wood, and it's 1984 (325 e)with over 250K miles;

b)the brake ligning light is often on, then off, then on again after i hit a small bump on the road. i checked the pads. they are 1mm away from metal-to-metal , but only 1mm thinner then new ones. is it malfunction in the diagnostic system or should i replace the pads?

thanks for your thoughts on this.

[larmstrong]

the temp could be from a few things, do you have heat????? if you are getting good heat then the temp gage is malfunctioning, if you are not getting real good hot heat then your thermastat should probably be reaplaced......the light for the coolant level does'nt mean much check your resevoir, i have 4 of these cars and all but one the light comes on, you can jump the connection if you want to turn it off, but if you are low on coolant add some and then bleed your system, there is a bleeder screw right on top of the thermastat housing, just run the car and open the screw, there should be a steady stream of coolant coming out, if you have air you will know it when you see it.......

the brakes you should take off the wheels and inspect them, the brake lining light is a pain in the ass, you can take that little sensor and jump that connection too if you want to turn the light off, since you just got the car, it would be a good idea to do a good inspection of the brakes, and make sure all is good, good luck have fun with your car

[325e1984]

larmstrong:

so it sounds like a thermostat then, since the salon heater blows only tepid air when the heat is turned up all the way.

The thermostat probably stuck in open position all the time. if that's the case, is it bad for the engine to operate at lower temps?

I also noticed that the radiator fan is always on, even when the engine is cold. Is that how it suppose to be on that model?

The coolant level is good and its light, just like the brake lining light, is on only half the time.

How does one jump a sensor connection? My electrical experience is very basic.

Thanks for your help.

[larmstrong]

well running at low temps is not bad, many people get cool running thermostats, many people believe it is very good for high milage cars, but if you want heat, which i do right now because its cold, i would start with a thermostat, someone else here would have to guide you thru the heater core if the thermastot is not your problem.....but most likely the thermastot is stuck open.......there are 2 fans on this car, there is the primary and the secondary, the secondary is really only used if the a/c is running or the temp is very high, the secondary fan is located in the very fron of the car, if you took off your grill it would be staring at you, the primary fan is in the engine compartment, right up against the radiator, and i do believe it runs all the time, it is hooked up to a clutch, but i am pretty sure it runs all the time..........

ok there are 2 black wires that go to a little tab that slides into the brake pads, when the brake pads where the connections is broken and the brake lining light comes on, if you just cut the wires and splice them together it will turn the lights off, but remember you need to find the wheel that is acting quirky or do it to all of the wheels......but now that you say it comes on and off, this may not help you, it could be a short anywhere in the system..........

[325e1984]

thanks. at least i know none of these problems are urgent.