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Beginning of summer a friend asked me to help with a no start persistent parasitic draw on his Equis. I performed a continuity check on every wire. The culprit was the anti-theft security wiring. They use that Equis to take dogs down to beach for walks almost daily - it is not one of their daily drivers other than for that reason.
Got to the point if we removed the fuse for the security system the draw went away completely the car started no issues. So he removes that fuse each time he’s done with the car, and puts the fuse back in when they want to drive the car. Somewhere in the anti-theft security system lays his issue. The wiring assemblies for the anti-theft/security were rather heavily corroded throughout including various ground attachment points along that wiring routing. Thankfully he was fine with removing the (under hood) fuse each time. Good luck!
I would be tempted to remove the fuse indefinitely if that would fix the issue. Luke spent a hour chasing wires/ fuses and such and he thinks for sure it's the anti theft module. He is trying to figure our if it will take a reset(not the word he used) or if it is something he can't replace or do with out having to go to the BMW service location and have it done there.
Mean while I'm going ahead with masking and paint pre prep and getting ready for another shot at painting. Getting tired of this two steps back and only one forward..... Tedd
Tedd I think you are about to hit the wall on this one and it is understandable. Sand it and then find somebody to shot it for you. Single stage and you can buff it out. You will be glad you did. Trust me.
I know Glenn but I'm just hard headed enough too try and finish this POS. I feel I have the skills(maybe) and I'm sure it's going to be my last build on this this complete of a car. I would like to be able to say yes I painted it ,or maybe I had Joe Blow do it for me. We'll see today, It's masked and I'll wipe it down with degreaser tac it and shoot it this morning before the wind picks up I think it's ready. Dan is coming over and I'll have him do some of the low stuff. We'll see maybe I'm over my head but I don't think so, at least at this time of the morning..... Tedd
Going to be tomorrow, I re masked it this morning washed it from one end to the other and will degrease and tac it off in a few minutes but it is over 90 degrees as I type plus the wind is picking up. I'll bag it(car cover) to keep it clean and get on it in the morning when the temp is around 70+. I'm a little afraid of the extra hot weather to spray in and I don't want anything to cause me to screw up again... Tedd
Well it's red again but looking much smoother and I think it will take a clear without orange peel and without a issue. I did managed to get three little runs that I will clean up after they dry, can't swing a gun as smooth as I use to my shoulder joints have square spots that match the runs. Dan couldn't make it so I ended up doing the low stuff also. If it doesn't get to hot maybe a coat of clear this afternoon, but I'm not taking any chances if I don't feel right or it is too hot I'll to it tomorrow or next week if need be. Here are a few pictures of the before and after. Kind of looks like it did before but trust me it is much smoother....Tedd Out of place photo this is before the last repaint... Sorry operator error... Tedd Nose after first coat Side shot first coat One more time with a tac rag. Probably time number 6 or 7. The *** during the first coat
Finished up last night, may shoot one more coat of clear this morning depending how it looks then I'm done. It doesn't look to bad (my opinion), better than a Earl Schwab job, not near as good as a high buck job. It has its little warts and bobos but I don't think I'll have to hide it from the public should it turn into a true driver. Learned a lot, In fact still learning, The first coat of primer was a major set back and if I was less ignorant this wouldn't have been near as tough as I made it. Would I do it again, maybe especially if I had a booth and we weren't in a epic fire storm to compilate things. I'll get some pictures after I put the thing back to gather and do some touch up that I know will be there after I unwrap it.
Thanks for following along, knowing others were watching your screwups helps me to try and do a better job. Sorry about my camera work it's about as good as my painting, still learning that also....Tedd
Last coat of clear and starting the cut and buff. Found a few runs that I didn't know I had mostly because I thinned the clear down so I could get a good smooth finish and it curtained on me, still learning. It's trying to rain this morning so I'll see how far I can get I would like to do some touch up but cut and buff likes rain.... Tedd First pass with the buffer
Well I ground it smooth again and will cut and buff today. The drivers side had a curtain of runs that I missed before, looked tearable. Trust me, I'm not a perfectionist just a sloppy painter. Pictures before and after. I swear this is the last time or i'll drivr it like it is.
I have an appointment next Wednesday at European Motorsports to get the defective anti- theft issue figured out and get this thing running, so I can figure out if it needs a head gasket. I may(probably) swap the engine with a low mile replacement. The cost is about the same because of labor cost on a head rebuild or replacement and there are deals out there on low mile engines. I know it doesn't sound right, but that is how it pencils out.
Luke is just to busy to get anything done on his one day off, so I'm biting the bullet and getting this MPB done before the snow flies. This build has taken way longer than it should have, and I'm tired of not being able to drive it...... Tedd
Into the buffing part now, but I needed to stop for lunch and probably a nap The sun will be off the car about 2 PM, and I'll finish it then. Looking better than I expected, should be a two footer or better depending on what happens on the back half. Lately, In the beginning, pulled off masking plastic and some tape Doesn't show much shine here, but in real life I can see myself almost as good as the Miata next to it After this I'll give it one more buff with fine grit then a day or so it will get a ceramic coat for good measures.
I can mess up a rock if given a chance.... Pictures to follow... Tedd
Update. Finished buffing, Job is OK, maybe some day I'll grind it down and shoot another clear on it. It's being loaded up and taken to European Motor Sports for a redo for the Anti-Theft issue that I or Luke can't figure out. If they do a reasonable job, I might have them finish the motor work, so Loading up, headed to European Motorsports I would have liked to of driven it there on it's own power It was so low it scraped going on in the front.
I can get this thing finished before winter..... Pictures to follow..... Tedd
2.8 inline 6 about 185 HP, not a real hot rod by today's standards. Quicker than the Miata and more comfortable with a few more creature comforts, but has little feel in the power steering when you are in need of it. Really, it's made for a different clientele. The Miata is more of a driver's car, and on a twisty road or autocross course it does very well. The Z3 is the car you want for an extended vacation trip, your butt won't get as many flat spots, and it can cruse at a 100 or more all day and not strain its self. The Old's on the other hand just likes to look special and puts a smile on everyone from bums to babies. I've never seen another one in the wild in the 20 or more years of ownership, plus it is a pleasure to drive anywhere in the 50-80 MPH range. They are all cars, but very different, that's why I have to have all three. Well really five but that's another story...... Tedd
European Motorsports has jumped on the troubled issues, and it looks like the Anti-Theft module is defective, and it is like joining the CIA in paper work to get a new one, but I'm in this to the end. It needs a head job so I'm looking into a low mile engine replacement and the difference in price of a head rebuild, probably go for the engine replacement if it is close. I've been thinking about doing this from the beginning, but just couldn't get over the can I save it thought. Monday I will set down with Kenny, my new next best mechanic, and figure all this out. Hell, it's only my kids inherance money I'm spending.....Tedd
The money pit strikes again. Just ordered the anti- theft module, and it only cost 498.17 .. BMW has you by the NADS no matter which way you go. Without it, the car is just a pile of parts, come to think of it, it's just a pile of parts with it!.
I'm shopping for engines today and that can be a bit mystifying and confusing though many engines will bolt up fit and run only one series of inline 6es are made for the Z3 and those are a special all aluminum head and block and not as common as most of the other 2.8 BMW engines offered. Learned something today, ignorance surly is expensive, later on I'll be smart but broke!..... Tedd
The money pit strikes again. Just ordered the anti- theft module, and it only cost 498.17 ..Tedd
Recall my earlier discussion w/ me troubleshooting (finding) a constant parasitic draw on my friend's car? He about swallowed his nads when he found out the price of the anti-theft module. He found out removing and replacing the fuse I found for him each time was much cheaper. I hope that module is easy enough to install, my friend's car was a module and complete wiring harness. If you have to replace the wiring harness as well as the module that's going to be no fun.
Short update, The MPB is getting a low mile engine probably will order it Friday. Trying for something under 80 thousand miles, anything less is really expensive and hard to come by.
I sent the Miata off for a wiring issue it has(I don't do under dash stuff anymore) so I'm down to one car out of five that is a runner. Don't much care for my choices, but it beats walking. Other than that, life is what it is around here. O ya the juice is off, and my generator is in the shop..... Could be worse...Tedd
Short update, Kenny hasn't ordered an engine as, yet he is getting mixed advice on what will swap in with as little modification as are needed. Most of my information comes from a European source, and I'm getting conflicting information because of the difference in the USA built cars and German built. I'll let him make the decision on what engine to buy, so if there is a problem He will figure it out, probably on my dime though. I didn't think this part of the build was going to be such a problem.... Tedd
A little BMW grief. I received a letter from our favorite government agency (DMV) a couple of days ago stating that my BMW hadn't been insured. Seems the electronic transfer had not gone through from Grundy insurance or somehow Grundy had not sent it. I don't know the why's and what fores, but the threat was that on December first my tags and registration would become defunct, and I would be liable for an extra charge and a fine if caught on the road. I called Grundy and after sending a copy of the letter to them, they informed me that it was taken care of and not to worry, done deal....Tedd
I'll try and get an update on Monday as European Motors has me slowed down to a crawl. I'm still waiting for an engine, or at least a decision on what engine they will put in. They have my OK to do what ever will work and if they need money for it, I'll front that also. I would like to get most of the interior replaced, but I'm afraid to go forward till I know where I stand on the engine issue. Plus, the car is berried in their shop and that keeps me from doing the little things that I could do on my own. The more things change, the more they seem the same....Tedd
Engine update!, Just a little fired up. Had a discussion with Kenny(European Motorsports) and we or he ordered an engine today. Looks like maybe it will be finished around Christmas, that is run and drive. The interior still needs a lot of help and that will take me till spring, but at least it will move on its own power and at 60+ MPH it will look just fine.
Gotta start looking for a part's car somewhere close by, so I can rob parts off of it for the interior stuff, something to keep me busy when the snow starts flying here on the hill, but I'll have to store it inside at the ranch, and it won't be close or handy. I'll try and get some pictures as it comes apart and post them as it happens..... Tedd
Little update, I'm headed down to Motor Sports and take a few pictures of the old engine getting ready to come out, should have them later today for a post. Kinda like watching getting a new baby born. Didn't think I would be this excited, but it's been a while since I've been this deep into a car.... See stuff later.... Tedd
Transplant pictures, out with the old in with the new. First time I have really been under the car for a good inspection, mostly good news, no suspension surprises, the diff hangers are solid the tires are good but are aging by the looks of the date on them. No leaky issues on the parts that haven't been removed. The con, the lower area on my car looks like a blind man painted it, well at least 1/2 blind anyway.
Looking for a parts car still. I could just close my eyes and order off of eBay but the cost of interior OEM BMW stuff takes the fun out of ordering or finding parts on the cheap. Pictures to follow....Tedd Old engine on the ground Just about to drop it out the bottom Just about out New engine is here It's almost Christmas, unwrap the goodies I hope the insides are as good as the outside
Good for you. I love seeing you following thru on this car. It gives us all hope for our projects. Super cool that you have not stepped out of the project. Good for you.
This isn't the way I usually, or ever buy a project car. It's what I needed at this time. Rule of thumb is get one in the best shape, a runner and as straight a body as you can for the right price. Well one out of 4 is not good. This purchase was a therapeutic buy completely. I required something interesting to get me on my legs and off my *** before I lose any more ability to get around. I know a red roadster is the most impractical car around, and I now have two, but that is very secondary in importance at this point. The added benefit is I learned a lot of new things, remembered how things used to work and how back in the olden days I fixed them.
I like sports cars, had a bunch of them in the past and there will be a time when I won't be able to get in or out of them, so I'm gonna get the best of out of these two and myself while I can. I know going in I could have bought a used Z3 cheaper lower miles in pristine shape for less money, all of that was secondary. Not only that, but I do know how the game is played, I just changed the rules to suit my self.....Tedd
Tedd - My understanding of your goals & accomplishments along the way matter none to anyone else besides yourself & that I can completely agree with. If that is what is required to make Tedd happy, then so be it. Happiness is the key to life and longevity however one defines their own happiness. Good for you in creating an atmosphere which makes you enthusiastic towards defining your happiness. Kudos.
The sun will be off the car about 2 PM, and I'll finish it then. Looking better than I expected, should be a two footer or better depending on what happens on the back half. Lately,
.. BMW has you by the NADS no matter which way you go. Without it, the car is just a pile of parts, come to think of it, it's just a pile of parts with it!. 
. Don't much care for my choices, but it beats walking. Other than that, life is what it is around here. O ya the juice is off, and my generator is in the shop..... Could be worse...Tedd
