20 Most Recent 2004 BMW 3 Series - Page 6 Questions & Answers

$2000 seems to be way too much just to check it out, My suggestion is to find somewhere else to take the car, try a BMW Specialist but not a BMW Dealer, it shouldn't cost more than about $200 to diagnose the fault.

More than likely the fuel pressure check valve is defective.

Maybe this guide can help you like a reference guide: Change Air Filter (with pics).

I hope help you (remember rated this help). Good luck.

While 15,000 miles between oil changes seems excessive, modern vehicle components and advances in lubrication products makes frequent oil changes unnecessary. Even thougth its' not required, I have my oil changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. I have the work done by a reliable repair shop for half what the dealer would charge. My attitude is why not spend a few extra $$ for the oil change to help ensure the longevity of the engine.

I have had to replace harnesses in a number of vehicles before, both foreign and domestic. The dealership should be able to know what harness by the VIN.
If you're trying to avoid the dealer, you may try having them look and give you a price, then say you need to gather funds and ask what the part number is.... so you can give it to them when you get the funds and can buy it ;)

Welcome to Fixya

Procedure on how to replace the brake light switch:

Start the engine so the you can depress the brake pedal and pull out the white post as far as it will go using pliers. You should hear a click sound a few times as you are pulling it out because it's ratcheted. Now pull the red sleeve all the way out. This is what allows the clips in the next step to be pinched. Pinch the two retainer clips together & pull the switch out of it's bracket. Clip the new switch in with the white post and red sleeve extended all the way out.

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If it is so loud that you notice it inside the car, it is about to fail.
Usually when these fail prematurely, it is because the check valve has failed, so the fan slowly spins backwards with hot wet exhaust gas blowing through it all the time you are driving. This destroys the fan bearing, resulting in the noise you hear and the subsequent fan failure. The fan costs $420 at the dealer or $240 on line. The check valve is $125 at the dealer or $105 on line.
There is a place on eBay that rebuilds secondary pumps for Volvos and BMWs for about half the cost of a new air pump. They did one for one of my 328s last year. It works fine, but I have not driven that car very much since I put it in.
Replacing the fan is an easy do-it-yourself job, but the soft rubber mounts that hold the fan are fragile, so don't abuse them or you will be making a second trip to the parts store.
You might want to disconnect the line from the check valve to the fan and start the car to see if the check valve is leaking before ordering a new one. Also, if there is water in the fan when you take it off the car, the check valve has failed.
If you just eliminate that fan, the car will run the same. It will just make a little more carbon monoxide when you first start it, it will take a bit longer for the computer to go into closed loop operating mode, and the computer will set a code for failed secondary air fan.
The gas consumption associated with this fan is negligible. It takes only a few drops of fuel to quickly heat and light off the catalyst. You will never notice the difference in mileage.

After market is fine....You are not going t do any more damage, BUT the old pump may freeze up and brake the belt...??