1988 735i

[magellis]

We just purchased this car for my son - great condition - garage kept. We had no problems with the car until he had a new stereo and speakers installed. The day after we noticed that some of the dash lights would go off and on. Two days later the car would not start and seems that the battery is dead. First of all, how do we remove the back seat to access the battery. 2nd, could it be a problem with the stereo installation. This is a our first BMW, so any help would be great.

[shogun]

The E32 experts are here
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/e32/
and here are the tech tips and also have a look at my website below.

I assume that you rear seats are the non electric types. That makes it easier.
Just sit in the middle and put a hand under each side and pull the rear seat up.
If it is a eletric rear seat:
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/62868
and here non electric and electric
http://evansweb.info/articles/2003/01/18/rear-seat-removal

I assume that the problem has to do something with the stereo installation.
And the dash light flickering could be also the same problem.

Looks like your stereo is permanently on power and draws the battery empty.
BTW: you can also get with the jumper cables on the plus pole under the hood.
But be careful and follow the instructions in owners manual, to avoid further damage to the electronics.

Last but not least, if you register on bimmerboard, use as your signature the complete data of your car. So 735iA (A stands for automatic transmission), and then the production month and date. If you do not know that, go to my website below and look for VIN decoder, just type in there the last 7 digits of your chassis/VIn # and then you have the details.

That is important for us to help you, as the wiring diagrams are different by production year/month.
If you do not have an owners manual, dowload it here (at the bottom of the page)
http://www.e38.org/e32/

Battery is 49D
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/33924
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/182396/