Service Interval Display

tonyXNF · 07-22-2003, 12:25 AM

Just purchased a 98 328i with 44.4k mileage on it from a dealership. This is my first car

.

Based on the mileage, the Inspection II should have been done by the previous owner (I am the third owner), but in the Service Information booklet, there are only two service records: one for oil change in 99 and another one for Inspection I in 00. Right now, the Service Interval Display has 5 green lamps. Obviously an oil change has been done recently. My question is how to tell whether an Inspection II has also been done. Does the onboard computer memorize all the service info? I am facing a choice to do the Inspection II right now or to wait for a yellow lamp. Your advices are very welcome.

One more question. The air conditioner blower failed to work today. I checked the fuse box. Everything seems fine there. Do I have to go to a dealer to fix it? Or it is an easy problem that can be solved by myself?

Thanks in advance.

TonyXNF

john_lb · 07-22-2003, 05:59 AM

try this link to know more about inspection II http://www.bimmerzone.com/inspection.htm. as u can c its basically changing oil and filters, spark plugs... i have an older car but i'm pretty sure that only the oil change info is saved. if i were u i will change the engine oil and filter(although its still on green. i put the kind of oil that lasts 5000Km(~3000 miles) and change it every 3000-4000 km), differential oil, transm. oil and filter, air filter, spark plugs, drive belts, fuel filter, micro filter(for A/C). let ur dealer check for the parts mentioned in insp. II (for leaks and stuff). about the engine oil inspection light, u can reset it with a special tool, which should be found in bmw garages.

well, i had some action regarding my A/C , it doesn't seem to be very reliable in our beauties... i can't help u much because my A/C is not digitally controlled like urs, i read some threads saying that the digital climate control has a mind of its own....

John

abcxyz · 07-22-2003, 07:59 AM

Tony,
I bought a 98 328is 6 months ago. Before I bought it, I found out the previous repairs the car had etc, and one of them was the a/c blower. If your BMW was a Certified Pre-owned car, then you may still have CPO warranty left, which the a/c blower should be covered under, so check that out...could save you a bundle...

dsonyay · 07-22-2003, 10:24 AM

You really don't even need a special tool to reset the service indicator. A simple paper clip, straightened out into a "U" shape will do what you need to do:

Here's how I do it:
- Fashion a short jumper cable of out flexible 4 mm-squared wire.
[This falls between AWG 5-6.]

- Switch on the ignition but *do not* start the engine.

- Unscrew the cover on the diagnostic socket.

- Jumper pin 19 to pin 7, in that order to avoid damage from
static electricity.

- The numbers are printed on the socket.

- To reset OIL SERVICE, maintain the connection for approximately
3 seconds. A wristwatch is sufficient to judge the time.

- To reset INSPECTION, maintain the connection for approximately 12
seconds.

- Screw the diagnostic socket cover back on.

ekim · 07-22-2003, 10:41 AM

How in the hell did you figure this out?????

champeny · champeny's Garage

Yeah - sounds scary. Make sure you don't jumper the wrong pins!
I have the reset tool - takes the guesswork out.

Jared at Pelican Parts · 07-22-2003, 03:22 PM

I highly reccomend that you not do this. i have seen this fry DME boxes. You are better off buying the Peake Research tool. This tool will reset all your indicator lights and is a much safer means than jumpering wires.

Basically it goes like this,

Peake Research tool = $50

New DME control unit = $1075

dsonyay · 07-22-2003, 08:07 PM

You cannot fry the ECU using a wire. As long as you follow the directions- which if not followed correctly using the Peake tool might fry the ECU too.

I've done it a million times (well maybe dozens) to my car and many others. Never a problem. Ever.

MAtter of fact, the procedure is written about in so many other websites, that I can't believe no one has heard of this. All the tool does is create an electrical short, which is what you do by using a wire between the 19 and 7 pin. Just don't start the car!!

There is nothing scary about this and there's nothing magical about the procedure. Matter of fact, to make it a bit simpler, just plug one wire into the 7 hole and ground the other end of the wire to the chassis. That way you only need to get only one hole correct.

Take a look at this ingenious method too:

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/electrical/e36_reset_service_lights.html

This guy knows what he's talking about, his website is terrific.

No slam meant to anyone- I just hate spending money when I know that a simple method exists - for free.

And I agree, the 45 dollars or so is still inexpensive as compared to having BMW reset it. But how about free?

I'm not advocating that people not buy the Peake- but if you want to clear the wires by making your own "tool", there's another way....

tonyXNF · 07-22-2003, 08:27 PM

Thanks for all your replies. I called 4 BMW dealers today for the price of Inspection II. The cheapest I got is $735, the others are all around $900. Comparing the estimate of $500 given by couple car websites I visited, their prices are much higher than I expected. They are expensive because they provide loaner car to you or because their labor is expensive?

ekim · 07-22-2003, 08:48 PM

Have you tried any little forgein car shops? I just had my II done on my 98 323ic and it was $475 w/ a loaner car.

btw...My BMW dealer charger $80 per hour.

dsonyay · 07-23-2003, 06:06 AM

Also, ask what the dealer will do in the Service II. Some won't change the tranny or differential fluid, even though it's called for. They'll charge extra for that. I'd ask for a list of everything they do.

Even if you use a local independant shop, I'd get them to tell me what is done exactly.

David S

Jared at Pelican Parts · 07-23-2003, 07:15 AM

David, Im sure that the method works, however Im just looking out for those here on the boards who have less experience with electrics than most. The simple fact is this, I have seen people fry ECU's this way. Otherwise i would not go out of my way to advise against this procedure. I for one, ALWAYS use the tool.

larry309 · 08-21-2003, 02:45 PM

Jared,
Where can I buy the Peake Research $50 reset tool.

Wapiennik · 05-02-2010, 12:55 PM

I know this post is old, but I thought I would chime in on the subject.

I did the interval reset yesterday using a wire on pins seven and nineteen and it worked perfectly. It is a bit scary doing this, as I have heard people have somehow fried their DME's. However, I called my dealership prior to attempting this and they told me it would take twenty minutes, but would be $60. I thought that was a bit much considering the price of the peake tool.

1996 328i 5-speed sedan