Sir Percivals 2Fifty Cal build thread

[Sir Percival]

Took out the glass from the passenger door and changed the window rail sliders, cleaned it all and re-greased with white lithium. Amazing the amount of accumulated filth on the parts of the glass below the door line and on/in the seals and channels. Although they looked fairly new both sliders were broken, according to the Z websites, broken sliders can lead to regulator failure. Not only expensive but a bit of a pig to do as the regulator is riveted in to the door 

Doing this has created much more room for refitting the door lock mechanism, so I will leave the glass out while I wait for the actuator.

Also took off the old number plates, just a couple of self-tappers in each. Pop the new ones on tomorrow.

[Sir Percival]

Still no actuator yet, so scratching around to do stuff. Fitted the new number plates, only temporary yellow/white ones, I will get black/silver when the 2fifty goes on the road.

Removed the glove box in anticipation of getting the remote central locking fitted. Used "Gummi Phlege" on all the rubber seals....it's good stuff, they look like new.

Discovered the alarm siren lurking under the bonnet, it is currently switched off, but I have read that if you have a door actuator conk it plays havoc with the alarm....so perhaps that's why it is off. I will play with it after the actuator is replaced to see if the alarm works properly or not....I'm not that bothered about it really.

I now think that I could probably buy a "missing corner" remote brick and program it to the car, you can get them new for as little as 35quid. But, I will wait until the one turns up from the US (supposed to be here before tomorrow  ) then, if it can be fitted, I can decide which way to go.

I would prefer the US one, as it comes with flip keys that I could get cut. Timpsons have already told me that they will not cut customer supplied car keys (company policy apparently...in case they should snap off in the ignition, said the bloke).......anyone know where I can get them cut?

If the USA one does not fit I will have to flog it on ebay.

I saw Dock Greens steering wheel....very nice. However I am going to go with a 14" Mk5 wood rim from Moto-Lite, with slotted spokes. The main reason for this is that the Mk5 has T shaped spokes rather than the Y shape layout of many others. Yes....I know the original had Y shaped spokes...but I don't like them 

[Dock Green]

Hi - Care with going 14" on the steering wheel, that's quite small & could impact the view of the gauges.

Dock

[Sir Percival]

Yes good point Dock....I should have made it clear that the 14" is if I keep the current dashboard (that's just about the same as the current Z3 wheel) if I go for a retro dash I agree it will probably need to be bigger....there is a 15" in the Mk5 as well....if bigger is required I would have to think again (much bigger than 15" and I might have to modify the door....to stop me rapping my knuckles when I turn right)!!

But, need to see a completed retro dash to make the decision on whether to go for it not....would love too, but have to see it first as I am a bit concerned as to where all the extra gubbins would fit...like the radio, heater controls, A/C switch, all the warning lights etc. and how much wire chopping might be required.

Having just exposed the wiring behind the glove box is does look a bit like "snakes in a car"....and I am to electrics what Luciano Pavarotti was to bicycle repair

I would like it to look right on the inside as well as the outside....but not at the expense of to much of the modern comfort equipment.

[Sir Percival]

Returned from a business trip to Germany yesterday....I returned, but my luggage didn't....for the second time in two weeks....Eurowings punishing me personally for Brexit I think 

Anyway, actuator arrived today so will try and get the passenger door back together before the weekend as the remote locking kit has hit UK (had to pay another £25 to get it released) and it is now due tomorrow.

Fingers crossed that it fits.   

[Sir Percival]

Passenger door actuator fitted....works a treat, now have full central locking....getting up the courage to switch the alarm on and see what happens.

Got to fit the door glass back next....then I can have a fiddle with the remote locking kit that has arrived from the USA....it looks simple enough to fit...but you never know!!

Got to get a grip as it goes for body fit middle of next month, then hopefully beemaman will spray it for me in September, (although I have to finalise that) and then it is booked in for a new hood at the end of October, then fiddle with the interior over winter, ready for driving in the spring.

[Sir Percival]

Help please

 I have just attempted to fit an aftermarket remote control locking system fro United Auto Security (BMWRSZ2-RH)

 The kit is very simple and connect to the middle plug of the ZKE behind the glove box. There are only 4 connections that I require and two of those are earth and power for the brain.

 Now the white wire from the brain (according to the instructions) goes to pin 4 of the central ZKE plug, on mine this is pink, even though the instructions say yellow, then the black/white lock cable from the brain is supposed to connect to pin 17 of the pink plug.

 Operated it for the first time and the doors everything locked and the doors are deadlocked (you can't open them using the inside handle) the locked LED with the kit flashing as it should.

 But tried to unlock and although I can hear the relay operating in the brain nothing unlocks (first time I did it I locked myself in the car and had to be rescued by my wife!!!)

 Have checked all outputs and they seem fine. So I think that pin 17 is the wrong one (lets not forget this is an American system) I have also tried pin 14 with no luck.

 So my question is does anybody know which is the unlock pin inside the pink central plug to the ZKE ??

 any help would be really appreciated.

[Dock Green]

Hi

Just Google searched the issue. USA BMW's do have different wiring.
I haven't downloaded it but the attached link claims to provides the wiring diagrams
http://www.gbnetwork.co.uk/bmw/downloadetm.html

Cheers

Tom

[Sir Percival]

Thanks everso Tom, that was kind of you....trouble is I have already looked at this and, to be frank, I can't make head or tail of it....electrics were never my strong suit.

If you are good at reading circuit diagrams have a shufty would you and just tell me the two pins I need...unlock and lock.

[Sir Percival]

I have given up on trying to fix the remote central locking and put it in with a BMW specialist independent. They reckon it should be easy enough to fix, but I will let you know....if they fix it, and it's a reasonable price, I will recommend them.......if not, then not!

Anyone know of a reasonable price car transporter person in the Redditch area......need to arrange to get it to DNA next month?

[tricky]

I used shipply,to get me z from London to dna, it cost about £ 120 I think, it's about 90 miles door to door

[Dock Green]

The guy I got off rent a van was very good & cheap - Manchester to Brum.  I'll dig out his name if you want it.

[Sir Percival]

Thanks both...but I think I have someone now

[Sir Percival]

Hurray, it is now fixed and I have remote central locking 

Took it to Jo Darby @ 6 Portway Trading Estate, Alcester Road, Portway, B98 7JA, just outside Redditch (07771 752069). Jo has extensive experience of Z3's having worked for BMW for a long time before setting up as an independent.

Dropped it off and next day got the call it was all fixed. When I got there I chatted with Lee the guy that fixed it. Apparently some fuses had been changed in the central locking brain and it was not working properly, so they swopped it out and hey presto.

Not only that, they gave me (free) a second hand (but looks like new) missing corner remote, to go with the one I paid 75 quid for from BMW.

Total cost for the work plus the remote fob.....£120....couldn't believe it, I would heartily recommend this independent.

Great job, great price, great service.....its nice to know that I could not have fixed this myself... and that it is now sorted....with two fobs instead of one....fantastic 

[Frankster]

Good job mate. I have opted to replace my bmw alarm system for a new one. It's being fitted tomorrow so I hope to spend less time and effort on this bit. Found a company in Northampton that are charging £360 to remove my old one and fit a new that ham approved unit.

I hope it works!