I decided it was time to overhaul the radiator, though instead of getting a re-core of the OE unit, I went with the Vick Auto Sports custom aluminum radiator.
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Current Status
Thanks to a little off-board suggestions from Papa Tony and Bob Brown, I installed a separate fuse box to run the headlight mod, Stereo/Amp, secondary radiator fan console switch and push-button starter in a nice, clean way that allows for easy maintenance. Very happy with the results.
I’m still tweaking the position of the Euro-style front bumpers that Ricardo re-produced, to get it just right (while leaving room for adjustment) before finalizing. They are a great fit with the revised brackets Ricardo made. Ricardo made the Euro-style side markers for me as well. I sourced the spoiler from Henk.
First Time Timer
I have never timed a motor before, nor really understood how/why. Yeah, I know. Well today I decided to teach myself and went to Harbor Freight and picked up a $25 timing light. If fact, I picked up a lot of things, because you know, it’s Harbor Freight.
I’m checking the timing because when it failed the last smog check, the tech said the timing was off. First, I checked my timing marks:
According to the Timing Guide, I think I’m off the mark from the start?
This is where I’m at with the motor running, timing light advance on 10 degrees. The tach reads 1200 at idle, which is too high (if it’s reading correctly).
Check-up, Smog and New Tires
I paid a visit to Stephen’s ALFA on 30th and Broadway in Oakland where I ended up dropping of the X1/9 for a complete once-over, brake hose replacement and smog check. The car would spend 3 days there while the mechanic would go through these items with a shop manual I have not ever seen before. Cool that he had one though, it looked OEM as well. I was happy that by the time he was done with everything, I had a completely overhauled hydraulic system, a clean motor and best of all, it passed smog with awesome results.
Next up: new tires. A fellow X-Webber had posted about a new supply of 185/60/13 tires on the Tire Easy website so I ordered 4. These tires are become more and more hard to find (at least here in the U.S.) so I thought I would jump on these. I had them delivered to Tire Sales and Service on the corner of MacArthur and Market for $50, the guys mounted, balanced and installed them. He later informed me that he could easily get the same size tires, next-day and for $60/ea installed. I’ll have to keep him in mind for the next time.
BMW E39 ABS Module Rebuild
With the X1/9 being a reliable daily driver, I have been focusing on maintaining the 528i. For the past several months, I had been driving it without the DSC (stability traction control) enabled and without the ABS active. This was due to the ABS computer located in the engine compartment failing due to a combination of age and exposure to heat from the engine. I had been experiencing “soft failures” in that after the engine cooled, the module would work for a few miles before failing again. This resulted in the illumination of the DSC/BRAKE/ABS lights on the instrument panel. The only way to get these systems working again was to either replace the module with a brand new one and have it programmed by a competent mechanic, or send it out for a rebuild to a company named “Module Master“. For $300, Module Master rebuilt the unit and had it returned to me in 5 days. A new unit would have cost about $900 + the costs for programming.
Sending the module out of course means removing it from the brake system, which is about a 10-minute job using a T-20 bit. This causes additional failure to these other systems:
- Speedometer
- Cruise Control
- Automatic Central Locking System
- Trip Computer (including MPG/MPH/Range)
- Speed Sensor A Failure – which will limit power above 5,000 rpm
- Automatic Volume Control (radio)
The car can still be driven though, although it is limited to traditional brakes, no traction control in addition to all of the above. I logged about 500 miles without the ABS module in place and only found the Speed Sensor failure annoying when trying to pass. Although I was advised that the actual mileage would be captured in another computer somewhere, it still has not “appeared” yet on the odometer…some report it coming back to actual mileage several days later. One other thing, with the ABS module removed, expect to see the SES light glowing in addition to the other 3. I had the added pleasure of also having the brake pad wear sensor indicator lighting up since my front pads were low. So many idiot lights on this car! (I actually wouldn’t do without them).
Pic of the module removed:
The exposed system which needs to be protected while the module is out:
The module is back and repaired…then reinstalled…but not upside down as illustrated 
.
All is immediately well again and all the lights on the instrument panel are now off.
In Memory Of Ian “Mac” McIntosh
