BMW e36 318 tds - modding thread

[320touring]

6.5mpg in it...

[AndrzejM]

The plan is to combine kill switch and additional starter switch with one rocker on the shift knob.

So to kill the engine I have to connect it like that:

And to start it:


I bought the wires and relays so I'm ready. I'm hoping I'll publish pictures of the innstalation process soon.

[320touring]

That looks like a elegant solution!

One question though- are you sure the battery/starter is up to it?

I know all the BMW efficient Dynamics cars have heavy duty starters, due to the large increase in cycles they have to perform

[AndrzejM]

Originally Posted by 320touring

One question though- are you sure the battery/starter is up to it?

I'll try to bump start the engine during normal EOC cycle and starter will be used for full stop, so I'm sure it's up to the task.

[320touring]

Originally Posted by AndrzejM

I'll try to bump start the engine during normal EOC cycle and starter will be used for full stop, so I'm sure it's up to the task.

Ideal

I know from experience that starter motors on BMW's are a pain to change

[AndrzejM]

Originally Posted by 320touring

Ideal

I know from experience that starter motors on BMW's are a pain to change

If you remove few things which stays in a way it's very easy, but if you want to remove just the starter it's a painful experience. Starter will come only at the right angle and there's no place to stick both hands there. But it can be done Anyway I'm not planning to destroy the starter

[Shortie771]

Originally Posted by AndrzejM

8. Knob back in the car

So how does this switch work? is it "|" turns off the injectors, "o" will turn them back on and "||" will bump the starter? If so, that is exactly what I have been wanting to do with mine. I already have most of the parts just laying around in the garage.

[AndrzejM]

The switch works the way that if it's on "0" then both circuits are opened, rocking it to I or II positions is switching on two separate circuits. One for cutting off the engine - electrovalve on injection pump (diesel), second one starts the engine with a starter. if it's in "0" it works like a normal oem setup. I've used two relays one normally opened for a starter, second one is normally closed for feeding current to electrovalve. So when I press the button is switches relay from normally closed to open position and electrovalve cuts off the fuel.

It works great. I have to control over the engine with just my thumb.

[Shortie771]

Very nicely done. I would like to do the same on my car. Would there be any differences since I don't have a diesel?

[AndrzejM]

There's no difference at all. You just need to cut some signal to kill the engine spark or fuel or maybe some sensor for example Piwoslaw in his Svetlana is cutting the cam position sensor to kill the engine. Starter you need to connect the same way I did.