Reply With QuoteDust??
NEWBIE Smoke From Gearbox??? HELP!!
Hi guys, On saturday I picked up my fourth e34, a silver 535, superchipped, koni shocks all round, uprated cams etc etc, drives like a dream.. BUT
This morning i get in te car, turn the electrics on while I plug my cd player in and a smell a burning smell... a small wisp of smoke comes up from under the gear stick (auto). So I turn everything off, and a few mins later turn it on again and it doesnt do it. Ive driven about 5 miles since, and its not reoccured, but wanted any ideas on it - as I dont want a fire!!
see pics of car below
Big, Big Time Poster
Dust??
BMW parts professional
Previous rides:
BMW
E12 M535i (go the dogleg!)
E28 M535i (MMM M88!)
E34 535i M
MAZDA:
RX7 S-IV T04 (440 hp ATW)
RX7 S-I 13b bridge port
RX4 13b peripheral port
How would dust cause it?Originally Posted by Ausmpower
Major Contributor
dust + electrical source = smoke???
Big, Big Time Poster
Yep!
BMW parts professional
Previous rides:
BMW
E12 M535i (go the dogleg!)
E28 M535i (MMM M88!)
E34 535i M
MAZDA:
RX7 S-IV T04 (440 hp ATW)
RX7 S-I 13b bridge port
RX4 13b peripheral port
ok - it does make sense i suppose, espcially as before I bought the car it hadnt really been used much for a while.... not think i should worry too much about it then unless it re-occurs?
Major Contributor
well, prevention is the best cure...i would just have a look under there to make sure nothing was damaged too bad (i.e. exposed wires), maybe vacuum a bit too. Electrical fires are the worst, dont want any of those...
Major Contributor
Your gear position switch has become dirty, which is causing relatively high resistance at the contacts which allow it to only start in park and neutral. These are now heating up and melting the plastic on the contact board in the switch. You can try disassembling the switch and cleaning the contacts (and possibly filing down some melted plastic), but you're probably better off replacing the switch.
1997 535i V8
5spd, OBC, A/C, cruise, BMW phone, factory M-Tech wheel & suspension, 18" Alpinas
Big, Big Time Poster
Have you got the optional Lucas wiring harness fitted?...
Lift the shifter surround and have a good look and clean up. I'd tend to agree with Dave's prognosis, especially if the car has been standing for a while.
Major Contributor
The hardest part will be getting the smoke back in!
Sounds like a dirty contact somewhere... check to see if there's a lot of crud and spilled coke down there under the shifter.
Posting Permissions
