1985 BMW 3 SERIES door release

0•7Anti-theft audio system
Anti-theft audio system
General information
Some models are equipped with an audio
system having an anti-theft feature that will
render the stereo inoperative if stolen. If the
power source to the stereo is cut, the stereo
won’t work even if the power source is
immediately re-connected. If your vehicle is
equipped with this anti-theft system, do not
disconnect the battery or remove the stereo
unless you have the individual code number
for the stereo.
Refer to the owner’s handbook suppliedwith the vehicle for more complete
information on this audio system and its anti-
theft feature.
Unlocking procedure
1Turn on the radio. The word “CODE” should
appear on the display.
2Using the station preset selector buttons,
enter the five-digit code. If you make a
mistake when entering the code, continue
the five-digit sequence anyway. If you hear
a “beep,” however, stop immediately andstart the sequence over again. Note: Yo u
have three attempts to enter the correct
code. If the correct code isn’t entered in
three tries, you’ll have to wait one hour, with
the radio on, before you enter the codes
again.
5Once the code has been entered correctly,
the word “CODE” should disappear from the
display, and the radio should play (you’ll have
to tune-in and enter your preset stations,
however).
6If you have lost your code number, contact
a BMW dealer service department.
Instrument panel language display
On some later models, disconnecting the
battery may cause the instrument panel
display to default to the German language
(this does not usually apply to UK models). If
it is necessary to reset the correct language
after the battery is reconnected, proceed as
follows. With all the doors shut and theignition on (engine not running), press the trip
reset button until the panel displays the
desired language. There are eight languages
available. If you wish to bypass a particular
selection, release the reset button and press
again - this will cause the display to advance
to the next language. Once the correctlanguage has been selected, continue holding
the reset button until the display reads “I.O.
Version 2.0”. Continue holding the button until
it reads “H.P. Version 3.4”, then release the
button.

12Disconnect the cables from the clips
securing them to the lever assembly, marking
them for accurate refitting.
13Disconnect the electrical connection from
the control assembly.
14Remove the screws attaching the bezel to
the control assembly, and remove the control
assembly.
Refitting
15Refitting is the reverse of the removal
procedure.
11 Heater matrix-
removal and refitting
1
Caution: If the radio in your
vehicle is equipped with an anti-
theft system, make sure you
have the correct activation code
before disconnecting the battery.
Note: If, after connecting the battery, the
wrong language appears on the instrument
panel display, refer to page 0-7 for the
language resetting procedure.
1Disconnect the battery negative cable.
2Drain the cooling system (see Chapter 1).
3Remove the centre console (see Chap-
ter 11). Spread an old blanket over the front
carpeting; this will prevent stains if any
residual coolant spills.
Removal
3-Series models
4Remove the left-hand side heater ducting,
and set it aside.
5Remove the heater valve clamp.
6Remove the screws and detach the flange
where the two coolant lines enter the heater
matrix case. Be careful; some coolant may
spill.
7Remove the two screws holding the heater
matrix case to the heater main assembly.
8Slide the heater matrix out of the mounting.
Be careful not to spill any of the remaining
coolant in the heater matrix when removing it.
5-Series models
9Disconnect the temperature sensor
electrical connectors.
10Disconnect the straps holding the wiring
to the case, and set the wiring out of the way.
11Unfasten the cover fasteners.
12Remove the screws holding the cover in
place, then remove the cover.
13Disconnect all heater pipe connections
attached to the heater matrix. Be careful;
some coolant may spill.
14Lifting on the right side of the heater
matrix first, remove the heater matrix.
Refitting
Note: Always use new O-rings when attaching
the coolant lines to the heater matrix.15Refitting is the reverse of removal. Refill
the cooling system (see Chapter 1), then run
the engine with the heater on, and check for
correct operation and leaks.
12 Air conditioning system-
precautions and maintenance
1
Precautions
Warning: The air conditioning
system is under high pressure.
DO NOT loosen any hose or line
fittings, or remove any
components, until after the system has
been discharged. Air conditioning
refrigerant should be properly discharged
by a qualified refrigeration engineer. The
refrigerant used in the system must not be
allowed into contact with your skin or
eyes, or there is a risk of frostbite. Should
the refrigerant come into contact with a
naked flame, a poisonous gas will be
produced. Smoking in the presence of
refrigerant is therefore highly dangerous,
particularly if refrigerant vapour is inhaled
through a lighted cigarette. The refrigerant
is heavier than air, and it may cause
suffocation if discharged in an enclosed
space such as a domestic garage.
Finally, uncontrolled release of the
refrigerant causes environmental damage,
by contributing to the “greenhouse
effect”.
Maintenance
1The following maintenance checks should
be performed on a regular basis to ensure the
air conditioner continues to operate at peak
efficiency:
a) Check the drivebelt. If it’s worn or
deteriorated, renew it (see Chapter 1).
b) Check the system hoses. Look for cracks,
bubbles, hard spots and deterioration.
Inspect the hoses and all fittings for oil
bubbles and seepage. If there’s any
evidence of wear, damage or leaks, have
new hose(s) fitted.
c) Inspect the condenser fins for leaves, flies
and other debris. Use a “fin comb” or
compressed air to clean the condenser.
d) Make sure the system has the correct
refrigerant charge, as described below.
2It’s a good idea to operate the system for
about 10 minutes at least once a month,
particularly during the winter. Long-term non-
use can cause hardening, and subsequent
failure, of the seals.
3Because of the complexity of the air
conditioning system and the special
equipment necessary to service it, in-depth
fault diagnosis and repair procedures are not
included in this manual. However, simple
checks and component renewal procedures
are provided in this Chapter.
4The most common cause of poor cooling issimply a low system refrigerant charge. If a
noticeable loss of cool air output occurs, the
following quick check may help you determine
if the refrigerant level is low.
5Warm the engine up to normal operating
temperature.
6Set the air conditioning temperature
selector at the coldest setting, and put the
blower at the highest setting. Open the doors
(to make sure the air conditioning system
doesn’t switch off as soon as it cools the
passenger compartment).
7With the compressor engaged - the
compressor clutch will make an audible click,
and the centre of the clutch will rotate - feel
the tube located adjacent to the right front
frame rail, near the radiator.
8If a significant temperature drop is noticed,
the refrigerant level is probably OK.
9If the inlet line has frost accumulation, or
feels cooler than the receiver-drier surface,
the refrigerant charge is low. Recharging the
system should be carried out by a qualified
refrigeration engineer.
13 Air conditioning compressor
- removal and refitting
5
Warning: Due to the potential
dangers associated with the
system, you are strongly advised
to have any work on the air
conditioning system carried out by a BMW
dealer or air conditioning specialist. At the
very least, DO NOT dismantle any part of
the system (hoses, compressor, line
fittings, etc.) until after the system has
been discharged by a qualified engineer.
Refer to the precautions given at the start
of Section 12.
Note: If a new compressor is fitted, the
receiver-drier (see Section 16) should also be
renewed.
Removal
1Have the air conditioning system
discharged (see Warning above).
2Disconnect the battery negative cable.
Caution: If the radio in your
vehicle is equipped with an anti-
theft system, make sure you
have the correct activation code
before disconnecting the battery.
Note: If, after connecting the battery, the
wrong language appears on the instrument
panel display, refer to page 0-7 for the
language resetting procedure.
3Disconnect the compressor clutch wiring
harness.
4Remove the drivebelt (see Chapter 1).
5Disconnect the refrigerant lines from the
rear of the compressor. Plug the open fittings
to prevent entry of dirt and moisture.
6Unbolt the compressor from the mounting
3•8 Cooling, heating and air conditioning systems

7 Hinges and locks-
maintenance
1
Every six months or so, the hinges and lock
assemblies on the doors, bonnet and the boot
lid/tailgate should be given a few drops of
light oil or lock lubricant. The door or tailgate
lock strikers should also be lubricated with a
thin coat of grease, to reduce wear and
ensure free movement.
8 Fixed glass- renewal
5
Renewal of the windscreen and fixed glass
requires the use of special fast-setting
adhesive materials, and some specialised
tools and techniques. These operations
should be left to a dealer service department
or windscreen specialist.
9 Radiator grille-
removal and refitting
1
3-Series
1Detach the clips along the top of the grille
(see illustration).2Remove the screws, and lift the centre and
side grilles out (see illustrations).
3Refitting is the reverse of removal.
5-Series
E28 (“old-shape”) models
6Remove the screws, and detach the centre
and side grille pieces.
7Refitting is the reverse of removal.
E34 (“new-shape”) models
Centre grille
8Remove the screws and detach the
headlight covers in the engine compartment
for access.
9Remove the screw, and lift out the plastic
cover behind the centre grille for access to the
clips.
10From the engine compartment, reach
under the headlight housings and detach the
clips retaining the centre grille valances, then
push the grille forwards (see illustration).
11Use a screwdriver to depress the clips,
detach the grille assembly and remove it by
pulling it straight out.
12Refit the centre grille by placing it in
position and pushing it straight back until it
clips into place.
Side grille
13Remove the centre grille.
14Remove the screws, and lift the side grille
assembly out (see illustration).
15Refitting is the reverse of removal.
10 Bonnet- removal, refitting and
adjustment
1
Note: The bonnet is heavy and somewhat
awkward to remove and refit - at least two
people should perform this procedure.
Removal and refitting
3-Series models
1Open the bonnet. Scribe or draw alignment
marks around the bolt heads to ensure proper
alignment on refitting (see illustration).
2Disconnect the earth cable and windscreen
washer hose from the bonnet.
3Detach the bonnet hinge rod clip and
11•4 Bodywork and fittings
10.3a Use needle-nose pliers to pull off
the hinge pin clip . . .
10.1 Use paint or a marking pen to mark
on the hinge plate around the bolt heads -
mark around the entire hinge plate, if
desired, before adjusting the bonnet
9.14 Remove the screws and pull the side
grille assembly straight out
9.10 Detach the centre grille valance by
reaching under each headlight and
pressing on the release lever
9.2b Side grille screw locations (arrowed)9.2a The centre grille is held in place by
two screws (arrowed)9.1 Open the bonnet and remove the grille
retaining clips (arrowed)

15 Latch, lock cylinder and
handles- removal, refitting
and adjustment
1
1Remove the trim panel(s) and, on the door,
the plastic shield (see Section 12).
Latch
2Disconnect the operating rods from the
latch (see illustration).
3Remove the latch retaining screws.
4Detach the latch assembly and withdraw it.
5Refitting is the reverse of removal.
Lock cylinder
6Detach the linkage.
7Use a screwdriver to slide the retaining clip
off, and withdraw the lock cylinder.
8Refitting is the reverse of removal.
Interior handle
9Disconnect the operating rod from the
handle.
10Remove the retaining screws and lift the
handle from the door.
11Refitting is the reverse of removal.
Exterior handle
12Lift up the handle for access, remove the
two retaining screws, then detach the handle
from the door.
13Refitting is the reverse of removal.
16 Door window glass-
removal and refitting
3
Caution: If the radio in your
vehicle is equipped with an anti-
theft system, make sure you have
the correct activation code
before disconnecting the battery, Refer to
the information on page 0-7 at the front of
this manual before detaching the cable.
Note: If, after connecting the battery, the
wrong language appears on the instrument
panel display, refer to page 0-7 for the
language resetting procedure.
1Disconnect the battery negative cable.
2Remove the door trim panel and the plastic
water shield (see Section 12).
3Prise the door inner and outer weatherstrips
from the door.
Front door
4Raise the window so that the mounting
bolts can be reached through the access hole.
If electric windows are fitted, temporarily
reconnect the battery cable to accomplish
this.
5Support the glass, and remove the retaining
bolts securing the glass to the regulator.
6Lift the window glass up and out of the door
window slot, then tilt it and remove it from the
door.
7Refitting is the reverse of removal.
Rear door
8Carry out the operations described in
paragraphs 1 to 5.
3-Series models
9Disengage the glass from the front guide
roller, and prise out the rubber window
guides.
10Remove the door handle screws, and
allow the handle assembly to hang out of the
way.
11Remove the rear window frame bolts,
push the frame into the door, and remove the
window glass.
12Refitting is the reverse of removal.
5-Series models
13Loosen the rear window guide mounting
bolt.14Detach the glass from the front guide
roller, disengage the glass from the guide
rails, then slide the glass to the rear and
remove by lifting from above.
15The fixed glass can be removed by
removing the guide rail bolts, then pulling the
rail down to the rear and detaching the glass.
16Refitting is the reverse of removal. The
rear window glass can be adjusted by
loosening the adjustment bolts, then raising
the glass to within one inch of the top of the
door opening. Adjust the glass-to-
opening gap evenly, then tighten the bolts
securely.
17 Door window regulator-
removal and refitting
3
Removal
1Remove the door window glass (Sec-
tion 16).
2Remove the securing bolts or nuts, and lift
the window regulator assembly out of the
door (withdraw the regulator mechanism
through the access hole). On models with
electric windows, unplug the electrical
connector.
Refitting
3Refitting is the reverse of removal.
18 Exterior mirror-
removal and refitting
1
Removal
1If it is required to renew the mirror glass
only, insert a small screwdriver through the
hole in the bottom of the exterior mirror, and
carefully lever clockwise the plastic holder on
the rear of the glass (ie move the bottom of
the screwdriver to the right). This will release
the glass, which can then be withdrawn. If
electric mirrors are fitted, it will be necessary
to disconnect the wiring before completely
removing the glass.
2To remove the complete mirror, prise off
the cover panel (and/or the tweeter speaker,
where applicable).
3Unplug the electrical connector.
4Remove the retaining screws and lift the
mirror off
Refitting
5Refitting is the reverse of removal.
11•8 Bodywork and fittings
15.2 Typical door latch, lock cylinder and
handle details
14.14 Unscrewing the hinge mounting
bolts (5-Series)

REF•2MOT Test Checks
Seat belts and seats
Note: The following checks are applicable to
all seat belts, front and rear.
MExamine the webbing of all the belts
(including rear belts if fitted) for cuts, serious
fraying or deterioration. Fasten and unfasten
each belt to check the buckles. If applicable,
check the retracting mechanism. Check the
security of all seat belt mountings accessible
from inside the vehicle.
MThe front seats themselves must be
securely attached and the backrests must
lock in the upright position.
Doors
MBoth front doors must be able to be opened
and closed from outside and inside, and must
latch securely when closed.
Vehicle identification
MNumber plates must be in good condition,
secure and legible, with letters and numbers
correctly spaced – spacing at (A) should be
twice that at (B).
MThe VIN plate and/or homologation plate
must be legible.
Electrical equipment
MSwitch on the ignition and check the
operation of the horn.
MCheck the windscreen washers and wipers,
examining the wiper blades; renew damaged
or perished blades. Also check the operation
of the stop-lights.
MCheck the operation of the sidelights and
number plate lights. The lenses and reflectors
must be secure, clean and undamaged.
MCheck the operation and alignment of the
headlights. The headlight reflectors must not
be tarnished and the lenses must be
undamaged.
MSwitch on the ignition and check the
operation of the direction indicators (including
the instrument panel tell-tale) and the hazard
warning lights. Operation of the sidelights and
stop-lights must not affect the indicators - if it
does, the cause is usually a bad earth at the
rear light cluster.
MCheck the operation of the rear foglight(s),
including the warning light on the instrument
panel or in the switch.
Footbrake
MExamine the master cylinder, brake pipes
and servo unit for leaks, loose mountings,
corrosion or other damage.
MThe fluid reservoir must be secure and the
fluid level must be between the upper (A) and
lower (B) markings.MInspect both front brake flexible hoses for
cracks or deterioration of the rubber. Turn the
steering from lock to lock, and ensure that the
hoses do not contact the wheel, tyre, or any
part of the steering or suspension mechanism.
With the brake pedal firmly depressed, check
the hoses for bulges or leaks under pressure.
Steering and suspension
MHave your assistant turn the steering wheel
from side to side slightly, up to the point where
the steering gear just begins to transmit this
movement to the roadwheels. Check for
excessive free play between the steering
wheel and the steering gear, indicating wear or
insecurity of the steering column joints, the
column-to-steering gear coupling, or the
steering gear itself.
MHave your assistant turn the steering wheel
more vigorously in each direction, so that the
roadwheels just begin to turn. As this is done,
examine all the steering joints, linkages,
fittings and attachments. Renew any
component that shows signs of wear or
damage. On vehicles with power steering,
check the security and condition of the
steering pump, drivebelt and hoses.
MCheck that the vehicle is standing level,
and at approximately the correct ride height.
Shock absorbers
MDepress each corner of the vehicle in turn,
then release it. The vehicle should rise and
then settle in its normal position. If the vehicle
continues to rise and fall, the shock absorber
is defective. A shock absorber which has
seized will also cause the vehicle to fail.
2Checks carried out
WITH THE VEHICLE ON THE
GROUND