e36 factory bug. caution!
 

i believe i may have ran accross a "stupid" problem in the e36. i had a tape in the deck as i disconnected the battery. when i reconnected the battery the tapedeck asks for the code for the factory alarm. the problem is that you can NOT enter the code as the "number" buttons read the tape controls: "eject", etc. BUT it does not read the eject command as it is looking for the code. i had to take apart the radio and take the tape out. there is no manual release but i disconnected a spring and turned the motor to eject the tape. after i installed the deck in, it took the right code and everything worked fine. thought you'd like to know.

That's good to know - I'm sure the guy designing the tape deck didn't test that particular situation...

-Wayne

Yeah those stereos are quirky. I had the tuner in my '96 go bad, and it took several conversations with the svc. mgr. to get me a remanufactured replacement. They wanted to pull it and repair, at 6-8 week interval! I told him I wanted to talk to the district mgr. Next thing he was saying they'd replace it. Car had 90 some thousand on it, I bought it at 30, certified. Also have had to replace (at my cost) a fan sensor, climate control unit, battery, and alternator.

I'm mainly responding to Wayne's plea for posts, I just registered, and find this bbs an excellent resource.