I am nearly finished un-"cooling" a black on dove grey 98 m3/4/5 (removing strobe lights, fixing concessions made for goofy spoilers, etc) and just had a bit of a set back...
I had replaced the alternator with an autozone unit and ran the car a thousand or so miles when I realized it was overcharging. I had smelled sulfuric smells from the back for a few days but thought it was my cats as I had just ran a bottle of seafoam through it and the smell started then).
I drove it 35 mins to a friend's place to pick up a set of low-mile cats from his m3 and discovered the battery boiling.
A quick check showed 15.9 volts at idle.
Knowing I shouldn't drive it and should call a tow truck, I loaded up the donated exhaust and hit the road; because grm.
I had autozone exchange my alternator but the car was on stands for a few weeks while I replaced the exhaust in my spare time. (The seafoam was the coupe de gras for the original, failing cats.)
After getting the car back on the road I discovered that the following items are not working:
All speed functions on the obc (17- or 19- button on board computer) such as mpg, average speed, fuel range.
Cruise control
I have tried a different bcm (body control module), a different obc, and also tried another gauge pod also with no effect. I tried each one individually, not all together.
These were the items that seemed to be able to cause the symptoms with the gauge cluster being the most likely suspect.
It is entirely possible that the gauge cluster is bad too, but before I try and track down another one, does anyone have any other ideas?
Or anyone who conuld loan me a known good cluster? I'll gladly pay shipping and a loaner's fee. :)
