How to Reset a Transmission Controller

1. Place the vehicle's transmission into park and turn off the engine. Set the parking brake and turn the ignition to the 'ON' position, but don't crank or start the engine.
2. Plug an automotive scan tool into the vehicle's diagnostic communications port. This port is generally located underneath the dashboard on the driver's side of the vehicle, just below the steering column.
3. Press the power button on the scan tool and wait for it to boot up. Select 'Transmission' from the scan tool's main menu screen, and then choose 'Transmission Controller.' Select 'Clear all Current and Stored Codes.'
4. Disconnect the scan tool from the vehicle and start the engine. Confirm that the 'Service Vehicle' light is not illuminated. The transmission controller is now reset.

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How to Troubleshoot the Check Engine Light of a BMW 540i

1. Open the driver's side door and place the BMW's keys into the ignition. Don't turn the key or start the car. Just leave the keys there for later use.
2. Connect the BMW's diagnostic outlet with a diagnostic scanner. You will find this outlet beneath the BMW's dashboard.
3. Turn the key in the ignition. Try turning on the electrical system only, and wait to see if a code pops up on the scanner. If it doesn't, start the BMW's engine.
4. Read the codes that appear on the scanner, and write them down.
5. Turn the BMW off, and disconnect the diagnostic scanner. Exit the vehicle.
6. Go to the OBD-Codes.com BMW website, and look up the code on its list of codes (see Resource). If it is not listed there, you can call a local auto parts store. Most will look up codes for customers as a free service.

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How to Install Clear Corners for BMW 330Ci

1. Research and purchase a clear corner turn signal kit that is compatible with your BMW 330CI. Note that different models require different size corner lenses.
2. Open your hood. Locate the oval opening behind the corner turn lens in the front right or left corner of your engine compartment, depending upon which turn signal you start working on.
3. Shine your flashlight inside the oval hole behind the corner turn lens to locate the plastic clip. This plastic clip holds the corner turn lens in place.
4. Place your flat-head screwdriver into the oval hole behind the turn lens. Push down and forward at the same time with your flat-head screwdriver to jar the turn signal lens out of the car.
5. Grab the edges of the lens with your free hand to pull it out half-way. Remove the screwdriver from the oval hole. Pull the lens out fully, using both hands.
6. Find the light bulb socket in the back of the corner lens. Squeeze the release tabs on the plastic connector that connects the bulb socket to the wire to disconnect the bulb socket. Place your old corner lens aside.
7. Get your new clear corner lens in hand. Snap the bulb socket connector piece into the back of your new lens to connect it. Line up your new clear corner lens into the slot where your old lens used to be. Slide the new clear corner in until you hear a click.
8. Repeat Steps 1-7 to remove and install a clear corner lens on other side of your vehicle so that both front lenses match.

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How to Remove the Seat Headrest on a Mazda

1. Locate the 'Stop-Catch' release button located on the top of the seat, just below the headrest. Depending on your model, the 'Stop-Catch' release button is usually on the side that is closest to the door of the vehicle.
2. Press and hold in the 'Stop-Catch' release button on the seat with one hand.
3. Lift the headrest up toward the ceiling of your Mazda with your other hand while continuing to press in the 'Stop-Catch' release button. You will hear a clicking noise as it passes through all of the adjustment notches.
4. Pull the headrest out of the two adjustment holes to remove the headrest completely.

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How to Change the Battery on a BMW 3 Series

1. Park your BMW, turn it off completely, and engage the parking brake.
2. Open the hood of the car using the release switch by the steering wheel, or with the latch on the hood itself.
3. Remove the brackets holding the battery in place using the screwdriver.
4. Remove the terminals from the old battery. You may need to use the wrench to get them off. Remove the negative ('-') terminal first, then the positive ('+') terminal.
5. Take out the old battery, and dispose of it safely.
6. Install the new battery, and replace the terminals, first the positive, then the negative.
7. Turn the car on to check the battery works.
8. Replace the brackets, and close the hood.

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How to Replace a Water Pump in an Audi A4 2.8

1. Unfasten the negative battery cable from the battery post on your Audi A4 2.8 litre engine with an open end wrench. Move the cable out of the way so that it does not touch any other metal parts.
2. Take the cap off of the radiator and also off the coolant overflow tank. Place a drain pan underneath the drain plug at the bottom of your radiator.
3. Open the drain plug with an open end wrench and allow the coolant to drain out completely. Once it has finished, close the drain plug.
4. Locate the radiator hose that runs from the radiator to the top of the water pump and remove the hose from the water pump using a screwdriver to unfasten the screw clamp.
5. Unhook the electrical fan wire connector from the plug in connectors that go to the battery and use an open end wrench to disconnect the fan blade assembly from the front of the water pump. Use a socket wrench to unfasten the fan blade pulley from the engine block and remove the fan belt.
6. Disconnect the bolts that are securing the water pump to the engine block and use a screwdriver to pry the water pump away from the engine.
7. Use a putty knife to remove any remaining gasket material or debris from the face of the engine block where the water pump was mounted.
8. Spread a thin layer of gasket seal over the face of the new Audi A4 2.8 water pump and then lay the cardboard gasket material that came with your new pump over the face of the water pump.
9. Position your water pump over the engine block and attach it with the bolts that you removed from the old pump.
10. Place the fan belt around the pulley and reattach it to the engine block by pulling back on the pulley to tighten the belt while you secure the pulley with a bolt to the pulley bracket. Reattach the fan blade assembly to the front of the water pump with bolts.
11. Attach the radiator hose to the top of the new water pump with a screw clamp and plug the electrical connector for the radiator fan back into the electrical wiring plug.
12. Fill the coolant overflow tank about 1/2 full of coolant and place the cap back on the tank. Refill the radiator tank with coolant and water until it reaches the full level and then place the cap on the radiator tank. Reattach the negative battery cable back on the battery post with an open end wrench.
13. Remove the drain pan from underneath the radiator and set it aside. Start the engine to allow the coolant to cycle through the new water pump. Verify that there are no leaks around the new pump. When you are satisfied with the work, turn the engine off and dispose of the drained coolant at your local recycling center or automotive supply center.

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How to Replace an Automobile Blower Motor

1. Disconnect the cable that goes to the negative terminal on the battery. Locate the blower motor. This will almost always be in the dashboard or the firewall area of the car, but the location depends on the model of the car. On some cars, like the Audi A4 for instance, the blower is located behind the glove box, so the glove box must be removed. On other models, the BMW E46 3 Series for example, the blower motor is located just under the windshield and is accessed from the rearward part of the engine bay.
2. Remove any parts that restrict access to the blower. This may be the center console, the glove box or the housing that contains the cabin air filter, often located in the engine bay. Consult a workshop manual for your specific car for detailed instructions on what needs to be removed to access the blower motor.
3. Remove the screws or bolts that hold the blower motor in place. Use a socket and ratchet for bolts or a screwdriver for screws. Disconnect the electrical connections from the blower motor. These are frequently extremely difficult to access, so patience is the key. Once the connections for the blower are disconnected and the blower is unbolted, remove it from the car.
4. Install the new blower in the opposite order that the old blower was removed. Connect the wiring harness or wires to the new blower. Reinstall any parts that were removed to access the blower motor. Turn the car on to make sure that the new blower motor is working.

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How to Remove the Daylight Running Bulbs From a BMW 5 Series

1. Park the vehicle and remove the keys from the ignition. Open and secure its hood.
2. Open the folding cover in the front corner of the engine compartment.
3. Rotate the bulb cover cap and remove it. Unscrew the bulb holder counterclockwise and remove it from the vehicle.
4. Remove the bulb from the holder and replace, if necessary. Place the holder back into the vehicle and screw it clockwise to secure it.
5. Place the cap back onto the vehicle and close the folding cover. Close the hood.

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How to Use BMW Navigation

1. Using the 'iDrive' knob, select the MENU item.
2. Select 'Navigation' and then select 'Enter address.'
3. Select 'State/Province' and use the 'iDrive' knob to scroll down to the state of your destination.
4. Select 'Town/City/Postal Code' enter the name of your destination's city or its zip code.
5. As you enter the city name, a list in the navigation menu will automatically appear. Move the iDrive knob to the right to access this populated list and scroll through it.
6. Select 'House number' and enter the digits of your destination's house number.
7. Select 'Accept destination' and then select 'Start guidance' to begin using the navigation to receive step-by-step directions.

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How to Program the Clock in a 2001 BMW 325i

1. Insert the ignition key into position I or higher.
2. Use the onboard computer button on the turn signal stalk to scroll until the dash displays the clock feature.
3. Twist the small knob on the right side of the instrument cluster clockwise to move the time forward, counterclockwise to set it back.
4. Release the knob when finished.

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