BMW 318is Parts & Accessories

Help! My BMW 318is won't squirt windshield fluid. The dirt is beginning to hamper my vision. Is there any troubleshooting procedure I could do prior to bringing my car in for repair?

A car's windshield wiping system is comprised of a reservoir that serves as the fluid's compartment and hoses wherein the water travels. A windshield fluid that does not squirt when activated could be caused either by a clogged nozzle or a dead pump. To be able to self-diagnose it, turn on the washer and listen intently for the sound that indicates the pump is working. If you hear none of it, then you may check the fuse box. A blown fuse results in a dead pump motor. If such were the case, you would need to get a motor replacement. However, the whirring sound of the motor pump signals you've got clogged nozzles. For this, you must locate the washer hoses and their connectors to be able to test if fluid would come out when the tubing is disengaged. You may use a small pin to loosen any debris that has accumulated therein. Once done, put everything back and try again. If this does not solve the problem, it would be best to take your car in for professional evaluation.

Just this morning, I noticed my car's fuel gauge at the empty mark, so I stopped by the nearest station to gas up. It read full, so I didn't pay much attention to it anymore. But after getting off from work and driving home, it read empty again. Seriously, I could not have drained my tank by leaving my car parked for eight straight hours. Why am I getting this erratic fuel gauge reading?

An inaccurate fuel gauge reading is something worth panicking about. Just how would you react when you're going on long drives and you suddenly get the empty reading, right? The common culprits for erratic fuel gauge reading includes a bad sending unit; a problem with the gauge mechanism itself; short, open, weak, or loose wiring connections; or a combination of any of these. Taking out the entire fuel gauge off the compartment would require you to be knowledgeable about electrical wirings. But if you know nothing of such, the best thing to do is to call a trusted mechanic or bring your car in for evaluation.

My windows won't completely go up. They get stuck halfway. I accidentally left my windows open overnight, and it rained hard while the car was parked outside. Could the rainwater be the culprit?

Rainwater has nothing to do with your windows failing to completely roll up. You must remember that a car window is a sheet of glass carefully housed in a scissor-pulley mechanism that is activated either manually or by a motor. Windows that won't roll up or down are clear indications that a part or several parts of the mechanism are worn and need repair or replacement. A professional mechanic would have to check the entire mechanism to diagnose which part is malfunctioning and causing your problem.