Electrical problem on braking

E28 technical advice asked and given! Troubleshooting, modifications and more.
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m5Kelly
Posts: 18
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM

Post by m5Kelly »

I have noticed that when I brake, the backlight on the computer (clock next to instruments, don't know the name for it) dims and the interior fan squeals. What should I look at to solve this problem, I don't mind the clock dimming but the fan squeal is driving me crazy.

Kelly
Seymour in C'ville
Posts: 360
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Ivy, Va.

Post by Seymour in C'ville »

Try cleaning all of the contacts to the brake light bulbs. I don't think you can completely eliminate the dimming issue, but you can minimize it by reducing the current draw on that circuit. I was surprised how much the dimming was reduced after cleaning things up. There was quite a bit of corrosion in the tail light assemblies.
I used DeoxIT from Craig http://www.caig.com to clean the contacts.
FastFiver
Posts: 1716
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: The murder mitten

Post by FastFiver »

My fan does the same thing. In order to eliminate the squeal, you need to remove the fan and clean and lubricate the bearings. This process should be detailed in the Bentley manual.
a
Posts: 12473
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Marshfield ,MA

Post by a »

according to Caig's websight, their stuff is available through Radio Shack. I will check this out as I have heard good things about de-oxit, but havent found a convienent source. Re the squeaky fan motor. My latest re-lube is beautiful in its simplicity. I remove the fans, sand the shafts 1st, and suspend the motor ends in a can full of ATF for a day. This allows the bronze bushings to absorb the ATF and fills up the felt washers too.
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