[bmw] RE: bmw-digest V10 #201

["Paul Tabour" <ptabour@xxxxxxxxxx>]

There are two possible causes that have been mentioned here, but neither
poster has given the actual reason behind each of them.  I've experienced
both in my E30 325i and have talked to my local BMW expert about them.

1. "News reminder".  If you're only getting this ding occasionally, this is
not likely to be your problem -- but here goes.  On your clock/calendar
unit, there is a feature that allows you to set a little alarm.  It will go
off every hour on the hour to remind you that there may be a radio news
program starting that you can tune in to.  As far as I know, you can't reset
the alarm time; I guess the Wise Folks in Munich decided that if news wasn't
reported on the :00, it wasn't worth hearing.  I forget the exact button you
can press to turn this off, but I think there is a little icon on the
display (perhaps in the shape of a clock?) that will de-illuminate when you
get it right.

2. "Black Ice Warning".  Based on the time of year and the frequency you
reported, I think this is more likely.  Every time the temp falls to 37F,
you'll get a DING to warn you of the possibility that black ice may be
present on the roadways.  Why they did this is beyond me, since it can be
37F and perfectly dry out, but there's a ding for it nonetheless.  I know of
no way to turn this off short of unplugging your clock unit.

Hope this helps.
Paul Tabour

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 09 Mar 2004 21:01:29 -0500
From: Thomas Bejma <tcbracing@domain.elided>
Subject: [bmw] 1987 325 "Ding"

Hope someone out there can help me with a little problem on my 1987 325e.
Occasionally while driving I get a "ding" sound like some kind of warning.
There are no warning lights associated with the sound (although the whole
row of oil change LED's do not light up - so there might be more lights
out).  The water temperature is fine, oil level is fine (changed about 1,000
miles ago), lights are all working (except for 3rd brake light) and washer
and radiator fluid are full.

I'm not extremely concerned, but I am a little more lately because it seems
to be more frequent.  It happens when the car is warmed up or cold, during
acceleration or braking - no rhyme or reason.

As soon as the weather warms up around here, I plan to take the whole dash
apart and replace any burned out bulbs, but if this is something I should be
worrying about sooner, I'd like to know.

Anyone out there with a similar year/model that has heard this sound and
could tell me what it is?
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