Some newbie questions

[Johnson]

Hey all. Been looking around the forum and the web, but I still haven`t found answers to some questions I have. Since I don`t know what I`m even looking for, I figured I would just put them all in one place. These are all on my `70 1600-2.

1)The key comes out with the ignition in the run position(not accessory though). Is it supposed to?

2)There is this little red light between the speedo and the left gauge set. It has a small button that turns it on. It`s not on any other time. What the heck is that for?(it looks factory, not added on)

3)With the key off, when I hit my turn signal one way, it turns on the rear marker light on that side. I don`t have working front markers/turn signals. Is that supposed to happen?

4)The interior light doesn`t come on when you open the doors. It does work with the switch on the back. I assume it`s meant to, just that the circuits aren`t working. Right?

5)My back window has defroster lines on it. I can`t find any sort of switch to turn it on. I also don`t have any wires going to the defrost grid. Not sure if it`s a replacement back window, or if somebody removed the wiring. How is the rear defrost normally turned on?

6)I have an ignition key and a trunk key. Is one of these supposed to work the doors, or was there a third key once upon a time?

Any help with these mysteries would be greatly appreciated. They are bugging me on a daily basis. Thanks guys,

Jake

[ray_]

1. Yep, as designed, tho I'm scared to pull my key out in that position!

2. Brake failure indicator, the button is to test the circuit. Should come on when brake fluid is low and perhaps when another brake fault is detected.

3. Clearance lights for use when parked, keeping the traffic side of the car illuminated.

4. Check the switch in the door jamb.

5. One of the 4 knobs around the cluster that pulls to one detent, I think, on the 70's. Maybe.

6. Ignition key does the doors too. Trunk key does the trunk.

7. Owners manuals are likely on ebay.

Have fun!

Hey all. Been looking around the forum and the web, but I still haven`t found answers to some questions I have. Since I don`t know what I`m even looking for, I figured I would just put them all in one place. These are all on my `70 1600-2.

1)The key comes out with the ignition in the run position(not accessory though). Is it supposed to?

2)There is this little red light between the speedo and the left gauge set. It has a small button that turns it on. It`s not on any other time. What the heck is that for?(it looks factory, not added on)

3)With the key off, when I hit my turn signal one way, it turns on the rear marker light on that side. I don`t have working front markers/turn signals. Is that supposed to happen?

4)The interior light doesn`t come on when you open the doors. It does work with the switch on the back. I assume it`s meant to, just that the circuits aren`t working. Right?

5)My back window has defroster lines on it. I can`t find any sort of switch to turn it on. I also don`t have any wires going to the defrost grid. Not sure if it`s a replacement back window, or if somebody removed the wiring. How is the rear defrost normally turned on?

6)I have an ignition key and a trunk key. Is one of these supposed to work the doors, or was there a third key once upon a time?

Any help with these mysteries would be greatly appreciated. They are bugging me on a daily basis. Thanks guys,

Jake

[Guest Anonymous]

Welcome to Berlin, you bought a German car in so so condition, put on your

Nazi cap and start thinkin like a German, u will figure it out. Q 1 Your ig switcth is toast, u are in a need to know position, dont show anyone or tell anyone your ig is f-d, if u live in the big city your car will be jacked. Q2 The little red light, does it affect anything when lit? its been awhile since I had my 70 and someone here will tell u what it does, in the mean while just dont push the button, u will go back & forth just fine. Q3 Welcome to the 60s, u found your parkin lights, really cool in Oklahoma. Q4 Befriend a can of WD40, the little push button on your door jambs needs some lovin, enjoy. Q5 Check and see if u have wire connectors to rear window, if not u do not u dont have foggers, if u do u have rear window foggers, if u do should be a pull switch on dash, time to ebay a owners manual. Q6 Ig key works doors, see above.

Dont know what u did right but u have been handed a piece of BMW history, respect, cherish and above all dont butcher said blessing, loose the mags and go 14 steelies, its all u need and will fit.

On the positive great work with Hot Wheels

Welcome to Berlyche

Dave Miller

DBMW2002

76 Golfie, Screamin Yellow Zonker

97 328is For when u absolutley positively gotta get there fast

[Johnson]

1. Yep, as designed, tho I'm scared to pull my key out in that position!

2. Brake failure indicator, the button is to test the circuit. Should come on when brake fluid is low and perhaps when another brake fault is detected.

3. Clearance lights for use when parked, keeping the traffic side of the car illuminated.

4. Check the switch in the door jamb.

5. One of the 4 knobs around the cluster that pulls to one detent, I think, on the 70's. Maybe.

6. Ignition key does the doors too. Trunk key does the trunk.

7. Owners manuals are likely on ebay.

Have fun!

I figured about the manuals, but right now I`m still gathering collision repair parts....

Q 1 Your ig switcth is toast, u are in a need to know position, dont show anyone or tell anyone your ig is f-d, if u live in the big city your car will be jacked.

Even if it won`t turn without the key? It just pulls straight out. I live out in the country. I would have been a lot more worried about my ign switch and no door locks in the city.

Q2 The little red light, does it affect anything when lit? its been awhile since I had my 70 and someone here will tell u what it does, in the mean while just dont push the button, u will go back & forth just fine.

It doesn`t seem to. I only pushed it while sitting still, but the idle didn`t change, no other lights went on/off etc.

Dont know what u did right but u have been handed a piece of BMW history, respect, cherish and above all dont butcher said blessing, loose the mags and go 14 steelies, its all u need and will fit.

On the positive great work with Hot Wheels

I`m working on it. Each to his own on the wheels though.

Thanks. That answers most questions, for now anyway....

[Mike Self]

I'll just address the ones that could use additional information...

1)The key comes out with the ignition in the run position(not accessory though). Is it supposed to?

A: worn ign switch--my '69 does this and it doesn't hurt a thing in terms of switch function.

3)With the key off, when I hit my turn signal one way, it turns on the rear marker light on that side. I don`t have working front markers/turn signals. Is that supposed to happen?

A: two different functions. With the key off, use your turn signal lever to illuminate front and rear left or right side tail/parking lights. Required for on-street parking in many European countries. Yours is the first US spec '70 I've heard of that does this. My '69 doesn't. Inop turn signals are a different problem; check archives for troubleshooting, or drop me an e-mail as I did several columns on the subject. Front parking/turn signal lights can usually be traced to a bad ground. The lights ground to the body with the mounting screws--replace with stainless steel screws.

4)The interior light doesn`t come on when you open the doors. It does work with the switch on the back. I assume it`s meant to, just that the circuits aren`t working. Right?

A: remove the pushbutton on the door frame edge, clean the little contacts and replace the mounting screw with a stainless steel one. Problem solved.

5)My back window has defroster lines on it. I can`t find any sort of switch to turn it on. I also don`t have any wires going to the defrost grid. Not sure if it`s a replacement back window, or if somebody removed the wiring. How is the rear defrost normally turned on?

A: Check under the rear package shelf for the wires--one on each side. Very few US spec '70s were fitted with a heated back window so your window may be a replacement. If you want to hook it up, drop me an e-mail as I did this to my '69 after I found a suitable backlight. The switch to turn it on is the heater blower switch. Pull switch out to turn on the heater blower, rotate to turn on the backlight defroster.

6)I have an ignition key and a trunk key. Is one of these supposed to work the doors, or was there a third key once upon a time?

A: Ign key also fits both doors; if it doesn't someone has swapped locks. This is fixable either by yourself or a locksmith; I did a column on it too. Trunk key is separate and different.

BTW, there's a good sized group of 02 owners in SW Ohio; drop me an e-mail and I'll put you in touch with the lead of the pack.

cheers

mike

[Johnson]

1)The key comes out with the ignition in the run position(not accessory though). Is it supposed to?

A: worn ign switch--my '69 does this and it doesn't hurt a thing in terms of switch function.

Ok, cool. I`ll just think of it as an additional "anti-theft" device when my car is warming up in the morning.

3)With the key off, when I hit my turn signal one way, it turns on the rear marker light on that side. I don`t have working front markers/turn signals. Is that supposed to happen?

A: two different functions. With the key off, use your turn signal lever to illuminate front and rear left or right side tail/parking lights. Required for on-street parking in many European countries. Yours is the first US spec '70 I've heard of that does this. My '69 doesn't. Inop turn signals are a different problem; check archives for troubleshooting, or drop me an e-mail as I did several columns on the subject. Front parking/turn signal lights can usually be traced to a bad ground. The lights ground to the body with the mounting screws--replace with stainless steel screws.

My front ones don`t work for two very good reasons. My pass. side is just gone(from the collision damage the car sustained before I bought it), and when I removed the driverside the wiring disintegrated(plus the socket is very badly corroded). Need to fix those.

As far as I know it`s a `70. I can get the VIN number to verify.

4)The interior light doesn`t come on when you open the doors. It does work with the switch on the back. I assume it`s meant to, just that the circuits aren`t working. Right?

A: remove the pushbutton on the door frame edge, clean the little contacts and replace the mounting screw with a stainless steel one. Problem solved.

Cool. It would be great to quit leaving my interior light on until I look out the window after removing my shoes....

5)My back window has defroster lines on it. I can`t find any sort of switch to turn it on. I also don`t have any wires going to the defrost grid. Not sure if it`s a replacement back window, or if somebody removed the wiring. How is the rear defrost normally turned on?

A: Check under the rear package shelf for the wires--one on each side. Very few US spec '70s were fitted with a heated back window so your window may be a replacement. If you want to hook it up, drop me an e-mail as I did this to my '69 after I found a suitable backlight. The switch to turn it on is the heater blower switch. Pull switch out to turn on the heater blower, rotate to turn on the backlight defroster.

I`ll take a closer look at that and let you know.

6)I have an ignition key and a trunk key. Is one of these supposed to work the doors, or was there a third key once upon a time?

A: Ign key also fits both doors; if it doesn't someone has swapped locks. This is fixable either by yourself or a locksmith; I did a column on it too. Trunk key is separate and different.

Checked today, my drivers side door lock works. The passenger side fits the key, but does not lock. I imagine I`ll have to take it apart for further diagnosis.

BTW, there's a good sized group of 02 owners in SW Ohio; drop me an e-mail and I'll put you in touch with the lead of the pack.

Would that happen to be Jason(eurotrash)? If so, I`ve emailed him a couple times, and am planning on finding the RGB facebook page next time I get on(don`t travel to that realm of the internet often).