Questions after the mechanic called.... (92 e32)

I dropped off many parts at my mechanic of choice, and left the bmw there. He looked in the trunk and said "All that?" "yes please".

In the process of doing everything, we discovered that it was all needed, and I wasn't going "overboard", and discovered a few other things along the way that needed attention.

Three things happened that have me concerned.

1) The drivers door lock no longer actuates. Turning the key unlocks the other 3 doors, just not the drivers door. Is this just a case of the actuator no longer working? Is it an easy swap/fix? Would it be worthwhile cleaning it or something prior to replacing it? There is a loose connection that sometimes stops me from being able to roll down the window (if I squeeze the rubber boot around the wires when the door is open I can make it happen).

2) When the engine is cold, it idles funny. not really rough; but it goes up & down slightly - barely enough to notice. However, the mechanic (not a bmw specialist) called to say it was very noticable. He thinks it's the idle bypass motor (or something or other that controls how much air it gets at idle, I'll get more info in the morning). While it was always a LITTLE rough when cold, nothing that cuased me concern. (I am now) I went thru the paper work I got when I bought the car, and there's BMW / Seattle service record: "customer concerned with idle goes up and down when cold gets smoother when warmer" diagnosis was "check idle quality, found slight idle fluctuation is normal". Is it?

2) The car ran out of gas. When I dropped it off; it was above "E" and the computer showed "38 miles" to go, or just over 2 gallons.

I'll admit; it was bad of me to let it go that low; but what I was after was seeing if the OBC would gong and dash would light up and say "LOW FUEL DUMMY!".

As it was idling at the shop, a low fuel light came on, then sputtered & died. Showing "30 miles" remaining.

My question is, is this normal? Can it be calibrated/adjusted? From what I understand there are two fuel sensors at the tank. Could one be reading a lot more than the other; so it's averaging?

Thanks

-j

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Reply to
Josh Assing
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several of us already told you that, 1) no, it is not "normal". Usually it will still have some small reserve of extra gas when the OBC and gauge say it is empty and 2) It is probably caused by a bad sending unit and 2) I personally would not beother replacing it (at considerable expense) and learn to live with it.

Your call.

Reply to
Malt_Hound

Told me? wow; sorry -- 1st time I asked - you must be psychic... ;-)

Thanks.

-josh

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Reply to
Josh Assing

Josh,

I apologize. It was a different poster that asked the exact identical question just 3 days ago.

formatting link

Reply to
Malt_Hound

No problem... You did get me to double check my past postings to be sure I didn't have a brain-fart..... ;-)

Thanks for hte link.

-josh

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Reply to
Josh Assing

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