iFixit - Answers With Device "1996-2002 BMW Z3"

1996-2002 BMW Z3: Battery drains in two days through fuse 31

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 13:01:21 -0700

I have a little mystery to figure out. I have my battery drained by a component connecting via fuse 31, namely: clock anti theft, immobilizer, instrument cluster power, buzzer, board computer, they are all on there. The draw is 0.25 amp for 60 seconds, then drops to 0.05 amp , which would be nice if it would remain there, but alas, it comes back to 0.5 amps after 60 seconds precisely. One local tech told me about the BMW board computer having a dedicated small watch battery which died and caused a similar effect in another BMW. It sound very plausible to me, given the regular nature of the intervals, one could nearly rule out a stuck relay or short.....or am I mistaken? So did anyone ever dig out the computer and find such a little battery which can be replaced? Or did anyone ever have a similar pattern and found the solution? Another weird thing is, that when I pulled the fuse, the car started up as if nothing was missing, except for the cluster no longer indicating its stuff. What gives here?

⟐ Commented August 06, 2025 at 13:01 MST

1996-2002 BMW Z3: Dropping a cylinder at idle.

Sat, 22 Apr 2023 18:12:44 -0700

The engine is smooth and perfect while driving but at idle (stop light) it will drop one cylinder. Only way to get it firing on all 6 is to shut it off and immediately fire it up again. All plugs and coils replaced, same problem.

I should add that this is a USA car built for the Japanese market and this problem does not show up on a North American scanner. Japan uses different computers.

⟐ Edited by author April 22, 2023 at 18:12 MST

1996-2002 BMW Z3: 2000 BMW Z3 2.3 Airbag light is on all the time

Fri, 04 May 2018 16:37:15 -0700

The light came on one day year ago and stayed on since. Is this something can be done at home? Thank you.

⟐ Commented May 04, 2018 at 16:37 MST

1996-2002 BMW Z3: Manual top on 96 Z3 will not close

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 13:39:05 -0700

can not pull top down enough for the hooks to engage the pin holes. So top dos not clamp down tight

⟐ Commented November 01, 2021 at 13:39 MST

1996-2002 BMW Z3: My 98 Z3 has a hood release not working properly

Tue, 13 Apr 2021 02:00:37 -0700

The hood release when pulled will not open the hood latch. I know it has the safety catch up under the hood, but it won’t work unless I pull up on the release handle inside continuously while someone else releases it outside. I tried WD-40 on the latch. Do you think I need to replace the whole cable or is there some adjustment I could make?

⟐ Answered April 13, 2021 at 2:00 MST

1996-2002 BMW Z3: What parts are missing from my spare tire pan

Sun, 08 Apr 2018 05:50:42 -0700

What parts hold the spare tire in? there is a solid plastic dish, then there some kind of cables or metal frame? And there is some kind of hook inside the trunk that holds it up?

⟐ Answered April 08, 2018 at 5:50 MST

1996-2002 BMW Z3: Bmw Wriless Key Settings

Fri, 11 Nov 2016 05:46:40 -0700

after replacing the battery the remote is not working. How do I set it up?

⟐ Answer accepted November 11, 2016 at 5:46 MST