Check fuse 12. More... (archive)

Fuse 12 goes to all those things. Clean the fuse, clean the contacts in the fusebox, and bend the contacts in a little so they make better contact with the fuse.
Also, there's a large connector under the dash, to the left of the steering column, mounted on the firewall. Try unplugging and reseating this connector. You have to remove the driver's kick panel to see it. It's easier to access if you remove the chime unit/OBC relay/cruise control rack to the left of the steering column (two nuts- one on either side.)

If that doesn't cure the brake light problem, clean the brake light bulbs and removeable sockets. Also unplug and reseat the connector for the check relay module, just left of center next to the trunk lock.

The "radio pops or cuts out when I hit the brakes" problem is common in these cars. Looks like you have a severe case. Some people completely dismantle and clean the fusebox. Some people route the radio to another circuit. I think I'm unique here in that I actually opened the radio and added a capacitor on the 5V section. This immediately invalidated my warranty, of course, but it worked like a charm.

In any case, I wouldn't start suspecting the SI batteries until the tach and MPG gauges misbehave even when everything else works.

I hope this is the cause...
When I drive my car (1987 535is) for about an hour...it's hot in NJ.

When I go to apply the brakes coming off I-95, my dash goes crazy. The tach needle goes up and down, my MPG guage goes up and down. Also, my rear brake warning light comes on. Also, the radio will cut out temporarily.

When I stop the car (like if I go into a store) and then start the car, all is fine.

Is this my SI board and battery going bad?

Joe

Follow Ups:

Re: Check fuse 12. More... Joe 21:00 7/01/2001 (0)

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