M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: ZeeGerman on July 03, 2009, 11:36:31 PM

Title: Pulling the octopus??
Post by: ZeeGerman on July 03, 2009, 11:36:31 PM

Do a HG on my E36, M42, 1994 318i.  Upper intake is off.  I am struggeling with the lower intake manifold.

How do you get the wiring harness (octopus) out?  Can the lower intake be pulled without pulling the harnes?

Thanks
Ab

Title: Pulling the octopus??
Post by: bearsbmw on July 04, 2009, 01:24:08 AM

You have to disconnect a few things below the intake like the starter wires ect but there is also wires that run to the tranny for the reverse light switch that need to be taken off... Its a PITA but if you cut that wire (reverse switch wires) and use a molex or quick connect you can easly get it off in the future much easyer without having to get under the car to get at the tranny

Title: Pulling the octopus??
Post by: Serge on July 04, 2009, 07:11:16 AM

Hey mate I'm in the same process of replacing head gasket, but I am up to where you are in reverse order but my sticky tape with labels fell off my connectors to the octopus, can you be kind enough to tell me where the left, right knock sensors and the cam position sensor/ bottom timing plugs to (4 ports on the black box.

Be sure to label everything especially the small terminals connecting to the starter, If you need any help give me a yell. Serge.

Title: Pulling the octopus??
Post by: ZeeGerman on July 04, 2009, 10:37:57 AM

Looking at the tower... top to bottom: 1,2,3,4

1 and 2 are keyed so you can't mess then up.  If you are still having trouble with 3 and 4 let me know and I can take some pics.

Title: Pulling the octopus??
Post by: ZeeGerman on July 04, 2009, 11:16:17 AM

Serge,
Did you have to remove wiring going to the alternator?

Title: Pulling the octopus??
Post by: ZeeGerman on July 04, 2009, 12:31:35 PM

Octopus out!  Thanks for the help!

It was all the sh-t on the starter.  I also unbolted both terminals on the alternator.  Nothing on the tranny though???

Serge, PM me if you need those pics.

Title: Pulling the octopus??
Post by: bearsbmw on July 04, 2009, 12:41:02 PM

Quote from: ZeeGerman;74793

Octopus out!  Thanks for the help!

It was all the sh-t on the starter.  I also unbolted both terminals on the alternator.  Nothing on the tranny though???

Serge, PM me if you need those pics.

Oops my notes were from e36 not e30 lol

Title: Pulling the octopus??
Post by: JoeDellio on July 04, 2009, 02:59:15 PM

He has the E36, not an E30, were good. Nice notes though, I gave up taking off the reverse lights last time and just shoved it outta the way last time.

Where can these connectors to cut it be found at? Something you can get from napa/autozone/advance, or can you get something at home depot?

Ill just twist it up for now with electrical tape, I have limo tint on my back window so I cant see my reverse lights anyways.

Title: Pulling the octopus??
Post by: Serge on July 04, 2009, 08:23:51 PM

ZeeGerman, you have been p.m'd