I bet you don't have an airbag . . .? (archive)

The E32 cars without airbags had an option for an adjustable steering column. For some reason, for the cars WITH airbags, either they couldn't figure out how to make the steering wheel adjustable, or they simply didn't on purpose -- perhaps because of safety concerns.

Jason F.

Run your hand down the center of the column (bottom side) and if yours is adjustable you should feel a 3"-4" long lever. Flip the lever down towards the floor, slide the steering column up/down and relock when you are happy with the position. It is quite visible if you have a look under there.

'88 750iL

Hey Wayne!
How can you tell if it has telescoping steering?
I have an 89 750iL and would be absolutley pleased to find this out!tell me, tell me, tell me
Henry

I am not totally clear on the subtleties but:
1) depending upon whether your 735iL washer system is arranged like the 735i or like the 750iL, your intensive fluid reservoir should be 1 liter and found in one of two locations:
- 735, then your fluid reservoir should have two flip top caps; the large one being the main fill and the smaller one towards front is the intensive fill
- 750, then the intensive reservoir is attached to the rear of the main reservoir
2) pushing the wiper/washer lever from the end along its axis towards the steering wheel (the same way you get the OBC info onto the dash) activates the intensive cleaner pump as well as the main pumps. Pulling the stalk towards you activates the normal windshield washer cycle with main pump only in operation.
3) the headlight washer system is activated...
- when you activate the main winshield washer system,
- only when the headlights are in use and,
- not every time...from what I've read it is every fifth time. What I haven't figured out is how the 5 times is counted; e.g. must be five times in one on sequence of the lights (not likely) or, five times regardless of how many washes done without them on in between (likely), etc., etc.

Anyway, the hide and seek game with the features of this fine beast is half of the fun of owning it. For example, I have owned mine for 10 months now and while looking under the dash two weeks ago found that I had telescoping steering, more recently one-touch action on the sunroof switch and before that the drop down feature of the glove box and on and on it goes. It is like having Christmas every month!

'88 750iL

I have a '92 735iL and was told by the previous owner that the headlight washers haven't worked in a long time. I've put 12volts across the pump motor and got plenty of water spraying the headlights. The tubes and pump are fine.

Blasted if I cannot find a THING in the owners manual about the headlight washers. I can't find an interior switch either! Am I as dumb as I look? Is the windshield washer switch supposed to activate the headlight washer pump too?

AND while on the topic of the owners manual...it shows and "intesive" cleaner, which my car doesn't have. I assume that this is a second "stronger" cleaner used on the windshield.

AND ALSO, there isn't a thing in the manual abouty the rocker switch below the ashtray that is labelled EDC, S, K. Electronic Suspension? Sport? Komfort?!? Please inform the uninformed.

PS: I should just about pass next week's pilot test. I am clear on "trip computer 101" and am working on "intermittent wiper programming 201" That wiper programming is VERY handy. Once I understand EDC, it'll be cake! ;-]

thanks-Jeff

Follow Ups:

Wait Jason...I have airbag(driver only) and tele.. Q 15:43 7/09/2001 (3)
- Hmm, if yours is definitely a 91-- then . . . Jason Ferguson 17:20 7/09/2001 (2)
  - build date on mine was 1/91...hhmmm ;-) Q 17:47 7/09/2001 (1)
    - Build dates of 10 and 12 of 91 for 92 model year guysimpson 19:47 7/09/2001 (0)
You're on the mark here!! Wayne McKay 13:43 7/09/2001 (0)
Re: I bet you don't have an airbag . . .? Jeff Giedt 13:43 7/09/2001 (1)
- I believe 1992 was the first year with this option Jason Ferguson 15:17 7/09/2001 (0)

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