1998 BMW CONVERTIBLE lights

20

Turn signal left/right, green

k

Flashes when the turn signals
are in operation.

Battery charge current, red

v

Goes out after the engine has
started.
If the lamp comes on during
normal vehicle operation:
The battery is no longer being charged.
Indicates a defect in the generator drive
belt or the charging circuit.

a

If the V-belt is defective, do not run
the coolant pump; overheating and
potential engine damage would result.
Contact your BMW Retailer.

c

High beam, blue

l
Lights up when the high beams
are switched on or the head-
lamp flashers are activated.
Engine oil pressure, redw
Goes out after the engine has
started. May come on briefly at
idle when the engine is hot,
but must go out again at higher engine
speed.
If the lamp comes on during normal vehi-
cle operation: stop vehicle and switch off
engine immediately. Check engine oil
level; if necessary, add oil. If oil level is
correct: contact your BMW Retailer.
Foglamps
*, green
t
Lights up whenever you switch
on the foglamps.
Airbags, redp
This lamp turns on for an oper-
ational check when you turn the
ignition key to position 1. If, at
the operation check, it does not go on,
or goes on while driving, have it checked
at your BMW Retailer.
Additional notes: Page 50
Automatic transmission
*, yellow
O
Goes out after the engine has
started.
Additional notes: Page 58
ASC+T (Automatic Stability
Control plus Traction), yellows
Goes out shortly after the igni-
tion is switched on:
System OK.
Additional notes: Page 84
ABS (Antilock Brake System),
yellowo
Goes out after the engine has
started. If the lamp comes on
during normal vehicle opera-
tion: ABS has been deactivated in
response to a system malfunction. Con-
ventional braking force remains unim-
paired.
Additional notes: Page 103
Brake pad wear, yellow#
Lights up when starter is actu-
ated and goes out when the
engine is started.
If the lamp comes on during normal
vehicle operation: replace brake pads
immediately.
a
Use only original BMW-approved
brake pads otherwise the vehicle
authorization is no longer valid.c
Indicator and warning lamps

At a glanceControls Car care Repairs Technical Data Index
21
Brake hydraulics, redn
Goes out after the engine has
started.
If the lamp comes on during
normal vehicle operation: low brake
fluid. Additional notes: Page 128
Parking brake, redm
Goes out after the engine has
started. Comes on when you
engage the parking brake.
Additional notes: Page 56
Emissions-related systemsY
Lamp goes out once engine
starts.
If this indicator lamp lights up
during normal vehicle operation, either
continuously or intermittently, this indi-
cates a fault in one of the emissions-
related electronic circuits. Although the
vehicle remains operational, you should
have the systems checked by a BMW
Retailer at the earliest possible opportu-
nity.
Please fasten safety belts
*, red
q
(With acoustic signal
if the
driverÕs belt is not buckled).
Lights up briefly when the
ignition key is turned, and then goes out
(in some models it goes out after you
fasten safety belts).
BMW Convertible
Rollover Protection System
*,
yellow
;
Goes out shortly after the igni-
tion is switched on:
System OK.
Indicator and warning lamps

40
a
The convertible top operates fully
automatically. Assistance with your
hand is necessary only as an exception
(refer to the note, next column).
Only operate the convertible top with
the vehicle stopped and do not drive off
during operation, as otherwise the pro-
cess will be interrupted. A half-opened
top can cause damage or injuries.
Remove foreign objects from the wind-
shield frame before closing the convert-
ible top, since these may prevent the top
from closing.
Do not lay objects on the convertible
top. They would fall off during top oper-
ation and cause damage or injuries.
When closing the power side windows
during driving, always close the rear
windows first or all four windows simul-
taneously, as otherwise the windows
may not seal tightly at higher speeds.c
a
Do not reach into the convertible
top mechanism during opening and
closing. Keep children away from the
swiveling area of the convertible top
during operation.
Releasing the operating button for the
top immediately interrupts the automat-
ic movement. Movement can be contin-
ued in the desired direction by pressing
the appropriate button.c
b
If the convertible top has been
stored in the convertible top compart-
ment for a longer period, e.g., in the
winter when the hardtop is used, it may
be necessary to support the first auto-
matic closing operation by hand:
Should the top come to a stop shortly
before the end of the closing phase (still
open approx. 8 in/20 cm), reach into the
handle depression in the center of the
front convertible top frame and briefly
support the closing process while
pressing the button until it is automati-
cally continued.c
Opening and closing1 To open
2 To close
Press the convertible top operating but-
ton until the opening or closing process
is completed.
The indicator lamp (arrow) lights up
continuously during convertible top
operation. The indicator lamp flashes
after releasing the button if the opening
or closing process is not yet completed.36cde020
Convertible top operation

51
At a glanceControls Car careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
The airbags are triggered by impacts
coming from the directions shown in
the illustration. Note that the supple-
mentary protection against lateral
impact is available only on vehicles
equipped with optional door-mounted
airbags.Indicator lamp in instrument
clusterSystem operational:
dThe indicator lamp comes on briefly.
System malfunction:
dThe indicator lamp fails to come on.dIndicator lamp lights up for approx.
4 seconds, goes out brießy and then
lights up again.
A system malfunction could prevent the
system from responding to an impact
occurring within its normal response
range.
Please have your authorized BMW
Retailer inspect and repair the system
as soon as possible.
a
For your own safety, please ob-
serve the following precautions con-
cerning airbags, as otherwise their
protective function may be impaired. We
also request that you make this informa-
tion available to your passengers, and
that you urge them to observe the in-
structions for safety belt use: the air-
bags are a supplemental restraint
device designed to provide extra pro-
tection; they are not a substitute for
safety belts. Wear your safety belt at all
times. The system does not respond to
minor collisions, if the vehicle rolls over,
or if the impact is at the rear of the vehi-
cle. In this situation, only the safety belt
protects you.
When adjusting your seat, select a posi-
tion that provides maximum distance
between you and the steering wheel, the instrument panel and the door while still
allowing comfortable and safe access to
all vehicle controls.
Always grip the steering wheel on its
rim with your hands at the 9 and 3 oÕclock
positions, otherwise hand and arm inju-
ries could occur when the airbag
inflates.
Never allow any objects to obstruct the
area between the airbag and the driver/
passenger.
Do not use the cover panel above the
passenger-side airbag as a storage
area.
Do not glue, cover or in any way alter
the padded covers on the steering
wheel, the instrument panel or the side
trim panels of the front doors.
Do not install a rear-facing child re-
straint device on the front passenger
seat. Children under 12 years of age
should only sit in the back.c
Even when all these guidelines are
observed, there is still a residual risk of
mild facial injuries occurring in isolated
instances of airbag actuation. The igni-
tion and inßation noise may induce a
mild temporary hearing loss in sensitive
individuals.
Airbag information is also located on
the sun visors.
p
The indicator lamp comes on from
ignition key position 1 to indicate
that the system is operational.
390de142Airbags

60
Indicator lamp for shift
electronicsdIf the lamp fails to go out or
dif it lights up during driving, there is a
malfunction in the shifting electronics
or in the transmission.
Bring the vehicle to a stop, select trans-
mission position "P", set the parking
brake and turn the engine off (ignition
key to position 0).
Wait a few seconds, then start the
engine.
If the indicator lamp goes out after a
few seconds, normal transmission per-
formance has been restored. Drive off
normally.
If the indicator lamp does not go out, all
selector lever positions can still be
selected, however in the forward posi-
tions the vehicle has limited perfor-
mances as it drives only in the 3rd or
4th gear.
If this happens, avoid extreme engine
loads and consult the nearest autho-
rized BMW Retailer.
a
Never carry out any work in the
engine compartment without first
ensuring that the transmission is in Park
or Neutral. Never leave children in the
vehicle unattended.c
For information on tow-starting, towing
and jump starting refer to pages 153
and 154.
1 High beam (blue indicator lamp)
2 Headlamp ßasher
3 Turn signal indicator (green indicator
lamp and rhythmic ticking of the
blinker relay).
Flashing of the indicator lamp and tick-
ing faster than normal: a turn-indicator
lamp is defective.
To signal brieflyPress the lever up to but not beyond the
lock.
O
Goes out after the engine has
started.
1
2
3
3
360de039
Automatic transmission*Turn signals/high beam

80
Speed limit warning (Limit)You are alerted when you exceed the
maximum speed that you entered ear-
lier (e.g., posted speed limit). An acous-
tic signal sounds, the corresponding
LED flashes and the stored limit briefly
appears in the display.
Vehicle speed must drop back to at
least 3 mph (5 km/h) below the pro-
grammed speed to reset the system for
repeat warnings.
To enter the speed warning threshold:
Key sequence as in illustration. The
LED lights up.To cancel speed warning:
dPress the LIMIT key again.
The LED goes out, but the value re-
mains stored and can be reactivated
with the LIMIT key.
To adopt current speed as limit:
dPress the LIMIT and SET/RES keys.
Timer
*
The timer can be used only on vehicles
without independent ventilation. The
running time ranges up to 99 hours and
59 minutes. The time is shown in the
display: first in seconds and tenths of a
second, after a minute in minutes and
seconds and after an hour in hours and
minutes.
To start:
Key sequence as in illustration.
The LED lights up and the time runs in
the display.
360us119
360us120
Onboard computer*

81
At a glanceControls Car careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
To stop:
When the time is displayed:
dPress the SET/RES key.
If other information is displayed:
dKey sequence as in illustration.
Take intermediate time:
dPress the TIMER key.
The LED flashes, the intermediate time
is displayed and the timer continues to
run.
Display time again:
dPress the TIMER key again.b
The timer stops with the ignition
key in position 0 and runs again in posi-
tion 1.c
Independent ventilation
*
To enter activation times
You can select two starting times for
independent ventilation. After 30 min-
utes the ventilation shuts off again auto-
matically.
Refer to page 87 for important informa-
tion on using the independent ventila-
tion system.
When you press the TIMER key, the
current status of the ventilation appears
in the display.Enter a switch-on time:
Before you can enter data, the ignition
key must be at position 1 and the digital
clock must be visible in the display.
Repeat key sequence as in the illustra-
tion. (Press the TIMER key twice).
Enter the second switch-on time:
Repeat key sequence as in illustration.
Correct the entered time:
Repeat the key sequence as shown in
the illustration, but enter a different
time.
After you enter the time, an asterisk
*
appears in the display and the LED
lights up, so that you can ascertain that
a switch-on time has been selected.
During ventilation the LED blinks. It
goes off when you turn the switch off.
Request a previously selected time
(LED lights up):
dFor the first switch-on time, press the
TIMER key twice.
dFor the second switch-on time, press
the TIMER key three times.
360us311
Onboard computer*

82
Switch on directlyAvailable only with ignition key at posi-
tion 1.
Key sequence as in illustration.Switch off directlyIn ignition key position 1: key sequence
as in the illustration.
In ignition key position 0: press only the
key SET/RES.
Enter codeIn addition to electronic vehicle immo-
bilization (refer to page 30), you can
attain further engine immobilization or
protection against tampering by enter-
ing a code into the onboard computer.
A code number is used to arm the sys-
tem. The code is then required for sub-
sequent starting attempts. Always
remember the code number.To set (ignition key in position 1):
Press the keys in the sequence illus-
trated and then turn the ignition key into
position 0 or remove the key.
Code numbers from "0000" to "9999"
can be entered. (You will have to re-
enter the code each time you activate
the system).
The LED lights up for up to 36 hours
with the ignition key in position 0 or with
the key removed. If the LED flashes for
10 seconds the engine hood has not
been closed or the radio has been
removed.
To cancel with ignition key in position 1
or 2:
A gong and the display "---- Code"
request you to enter a code.
dUse entry keys to enter the code
number
dPress the SET/RES key
dStart the engine.
The system responds to attempts to
start the vehicle using an incorrect code
or no code at all by preventing the
engine from starting.
2
1TIMER
km/mls
MEMOSET/RES 1000 100
10 1
SPEED CONSUM TEMP DIST CHECK CLOCK
DATE
LIMIT RANGE CODE
360us313
360us122
Onboard computer*