what to do first?!

[rampage601]

1994 318i 5spd
new to the bmw world
hopefully it will be a successful project
to start off with it has no key
it was also abandoned on private property
none of this im so much worried about except the key
no one will give me a straight answer about it having a chip
and can i get a locksmith to cut a duplicate or does it absolutely have to come from the dealership?
also the car wont go in gear unless i move the back wheel around
then when it does pop in gear it doesnt want to come out unless you move the wheel more
last but not least the body it AWESOME but...the interior is pretty rough mostly from just being in the sun and it melting the glue
im also on a very tight budget and i know i can get some things super cheap i was just wondering if anyone knows the best place to look with out getting ripped off because i dont take that lightly..

will post pictures of the "project" soon so please go look and tell me what you think!!
please and thank you!!

[Jack Dabsy]

Firstly - You should remove the ignition barrel and replace it with another with matching keys... If you are LUCKY it will start, if not then go thru the "Key recognition" process which is readily available on this site...
Secondly - it is quite normal that gears will not engage without the engine running... I accept it is a mechanical process but the actuator/selector may be governed by some other solenoid/actuator that informs the ECU...
HTH

[rampage601]

ok got the title bond papers going in the morning to get the title app so ill be able to get a key after all! yaay
but now i have a new issue..
put a battery in it just to see if it would turn over and it will but thank god it didnt or it would've fallen on my dad..anyways we got to messing with the switches and lights and everything and the parking lights and blinkers work along with the two lights by the back seat but headlights taillights and i think my cluster lights wont come on.. is it because i still have no key or is there something else i should look at?


oh and i checked all the wires and fuses they seemed all good but im not real sure the fuse box kinda confused me...
thanks for any information

[mymrfluffums]

Buy the push to start that cancels the key to the ignition..i had the same problem

[Jack Dabsy]

Forgot to mention... If the clutch is failing this would cause gear selection issues !
As for the lights, don't get me started on that one because mine come on without switching LOL... But, it could be the ignition barrel again as the headlights go off when you turn off the ignition > This could be a wiring fault or the LCM is having a laugh with you !!

[rampage601]

ok another question..i have a repair manual for my car but i swear its wrong! its not telling me where my lcm is and its also trying to tell me i have 2 fuse boxes under my hood but i dont and there are a few other things its wrong about and ive been hearing from people to buy a bently manual...i would ask someone around where i live but i only know one other guy that has a car like mine...seriously..this place is weak so ill be on here for questions and answers alot ha

[Jack Dabsy]

Yeah, Bentley manuals are better...
Your car has many fuse boxes - 1 in boot, maybe 1 or 2 under the dash (Either side) and 2 under the hood/bonnet (a set of relays mainly) usually behind both suspension tops !!

[rampage601]

see i only have one under the hood on the driver side and the guys at bmw said i should have one more somewhere inside the car but i dont see it unless its covered up by a plastic piece

[Jack Dabsy]

There possibly should be one above the glovebox tray, and if you have a small storage aperture beneath the steering wheel then get under there too!!!