anyone know what this is for?

E28 technical advice asked and given! Troubleshooting, modifications and more.
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Russianblue
Posts: 415
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Charlotte, NC

anyone know what this is for?

Post by Russianblue »

Took apart my dash over the past few weeks and got everything back together, less this one molex connector, which I can't figure out where it is supposed to go.

Before I go searching every single page of the scanned wiring diagrams I have, or my Bentley, both of which I have looked at for a couple of hours to try to figure this out, I was wondering if someone might know off the top of their head.

It originates somewhere behind the instrument cluster and I can't figure out if it's supposed to go down toward the headlight switch area, the Radio/AC control panel area, or wherever. I had EVERYTHING apart.

Here is what it looks like.

http://picasaweb.google.com/tigrfan/Con ... Rv9OncEDF4

For reference, the colors on the wires are
Purple/White
Brown
Brown/White
Red/White

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
turbodan
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Joined: Jan 09, 2007 10:19 PM

Post by turbodan »

The chime module should have two connectors plugged in. Could that be it?
Russianblue
Posts: 415
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Charlotte, NC

chime

Post by Russianblue »

very well could be. that was actually on my short list of possibilities. i have a viper alarm on top of that whole getup left of the steering wheel, so it's very possible i overlooked it when navigating the nest of wires.

i'll check it tonight to verify. incidentally, the chime IS working, but i can' remember if i plugged two connectors in or just one. that one i left out could be the one that rings the bell when the temp gets down to 36 degrees or whatever.

Sweet. I'll let you know...but we may have a winner!

next up, turn signals not working and doors unlocking immediately after being locked. but I wanted to get this out of the way first.

I think the alarm is screwing up some stuff, but with Viper alarms, buyer beware, they are only supposed to be installed by authorized dealers, so you can't just download an installation manual. As such, I am just flying blind since I had the alarm installed a while back.

this will eliminate one item however, making the alarm and lock issues easier to track down.
Russianblue
Posts: 415
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Charlotte, NC

Post by Russianblue »

well, it looks like i jumped the gun. as i'd mentioned, the chime module is working fine, so i checked it to make sure both connectors were plugged in - and they were.

i've spent a couple of hours going through the ETM but to no avail. However, I WAS able to ascertain the following info about three of the four wires on the connector:

purple/white - hot in accy, run, or start - fuse #12 - 8 amp
red/white - hot at all times from fuse #5 - 8 amp
brown - ground
brown/ white ?? - this one is the key.

thanks!
Shawn D.
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Post by Shawn D. »

Is that connector coming from the vicinity of the center console or was it found there? I dunno what it's for, but I can tell you that when I put my radio in and added gauges, one of those wires is lighting. Strangely, though, IIRC the other lighting wire wasn't present in that connector -- the lighting on our cars doesn't run positive-lights-ground, it runs higher potential-lights-lower potential. If everything is working, I wouldn't worry about it -- it's apparently not necessary on my car w/ an aftermarket radio.
turbodan
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Joined: Jan 09, 2007 10:19 PM

Post by turbodan »

Im thinking it might be for the digital clock. It would be extraneous in OBC cars. But, I can't find the digital clock in the ETM, so I really cant be sure. I'm almost certain theres one of those hanging under my dash too. It looks very familiar.
Last edited by turbodan on Apr 24, 2007 2:45 PM, edited 1 time in total.
Russianblue
Posts: 415
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Charlotte, NC

Post by Russianblue »

The connector SEEMS to be coming from more toward the instrument cluster area. However, it will reach all the way over to the chime/gong area to the left and to the AC controls etc on the right.

In any case, those are good points you made and you are probably right. It may well not have been used for anything. I have after market audio equipment as well.

Everything seems to be working well at this point except for the turn signals. They are dead as a door nail, but again, there could be one or two other items i didn't quite wire back in correctly. The hazard lights work, but when i turn them on, only the left side blinks outside the car.

I'm gonna need to completely remove the car alarm to find the culprit. It's too tightly integrated with the lighting system for me to waste time troubleshooting without removing it as a variable.

I need to track down a wiring installation diagram for a Viper 1000 alarm. Directed Electronics doens't distribute them but they are available if you look. I'll post back once i get the alarm sorted out.

thanks for your help.
rob6118
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Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM

Post by rob6118 »

I have this weird bubble valve looking thing on the trim panel directly below the steering wheel ( I think its called a kick panel). On the lower left of that panel there is a little valve looking thing that has a 4 wire connector and a small vacuum hose.

Is that it??

Rob
Shawn D.
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Post by Shawn D. »

rob6118 wrote:I have this weird bubble valve looking thing on the trim panel directly below the steering wheel ( I think its called a kick panel). On the lower left of that panel there is a little valve looking thing that has a 4 wire connector and a small vacuum hose.

Is that it??
That thing is the interior temperature sensor and the connector for that is a different style. FYI, that's not a kick panel -- kick panels are the vertical pieces on the side. It's an under-dash cover.
mogie
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Post by mogie »

I'd say dont worry about it, if everything works then you're good to go. Theres a bunch of wires and stuff that arne't connected to anything here and there on the car such as for option pieces or items from different models it coudl be one of those.
Jay in VA
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Post by Jay in VA »

I am pretty certain what you are seeing given the approximity to the A/C evaporator would be a clock plug for either a digital or analog clock. I will verify that for you if you want me to. I have been searching for that plug in my harness, because it's supposed to be on all harnesses but I haven't found mine yet. My car had an OBC, but I have an analog clock that I want to install. If that is the case you can ignore it, it is a redundant plug if you are using the OBC.
Jay in VA
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Post by Jay in VA »

Ok, I just verified that it is indeed the plug and wiring for the digital or analog clock.
Russianblue
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Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Charlotte, NC

Post by Russianblue »

Jay, I would have to concur. Thanks for the input. I figured it was for an option accessory, just wanted to make sure I hadn't forgotten to plug up something that would subsequently require 1.5 hrs of dismantling everything to reconnect!

thanks for everyone's help.
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