[bmw] 1985 535i Inspection lamp question

["Chris Pawlowicz" <cpawlowicz@xxxxxxxxx>]

Dave asks
>I have a 1985 535i that has it's Inspection warning light on. I have
>tried to reset this using my Peake reset tool.
>This tool has been successful in the past in turning off this light. Now
>the reset doesn't seem to work, any ideas?

likely the ni-cad batteries are finally dead. 2 AA batteries keep the SI
lights working properly.. when they no longer hold a charge, the SI lights
don't reset properly

you can remove the SI light board and then not worry about 'em :)

eventually you'll have to go back and replace the batteries because when
they *really* fail they'll kill the tach and mpg gauge (temporarily.. no
damage done, just makes 'em stop working)

radio shack sells nicads with tabs welded to them for a direct replacement
(they're soldered in to the SI circuit board) OR you can remove the old
batteries and solder in wires which lead to a battery holder

then just stick any old AA nicad batteries in the holder (mounted somewhere
useful with double sided tape)

make sure to charge up the batteries before installation (SI board can keep
them alive but can't charge them from empty)

later cars had lithium batteries but most E30/E28/etc had AA nicads

chris pawlowicz
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