Author Topic: E34 Electrical Help (Read 9642 times)

Gabs · « **Reply #15 on:** April 17, 2012, 08:48:22 PM »

*drum roll*
With great relief, I will report my above theory worked without a hitch. The 2 lines are connected via a 50amp inline fuse, and all my non-functioning systems now greet me with their warm Orange displays and working motor functions. HOORAY I get to keep my 2nd favorite car.

A thousands thanks DanOKC for sticking it out with me, had your posts not kept bringing me ideas and hope, the car likely would be in the hands of a non-enthusiast by now. merci merci

I suppose in the seemingly off chance this happens to anyone ever again, Below are the 2 wires I connected with an inline 50amp fuse. My first thought was that the black cable was a ground, though it is not, its a positive cable that runs from the front fusible link. The red cable directly powers the rear power distribution box, it requires a 50amp fuse though, to protect your GM and RM.

Now I know, there are in fact 2 ways of getting power to the rear distribution box in E34's. One way I still have not figured out yet though

But I do know where that other positive cable goes, and its behind a lot of dashboard, I think ill leave it be for now

keflaman · « **Reply #16 on:** April 17, 2012, 09:05:49 PM »

That's great news! I know how relieved you must feel and kudos to DanOKC for helping you. That's what makes this a great forum!!

DesktopDave · « **Reply #17 on:** April 17, 2012, 09:55:19 PM »

That is awesome!

I never thought BMW would offer a tandem battery option, but it seems like that's the way the car was designed. I always assumed that BMW just pre-wired the car for the rear battery setup, just deleting the front cables sometime in mid-1990 or so. All the M50 & M60 motored e34's I've seen use the rear mount battery. All the M20 e34's I've seen have the battery up front.

Gabs · « **Reply #18 on:** April 23, 2012, 03:56:54 PM »

I agree all M50 & M60 I've come across, or viewed through forums, all have rear mounted batteries. My M20 has the same rear wiring system, and shows very clear evidence that someone once used a rear battery or used 2 batteries. I don't think you would find this redundant wiring system in any other E34 other than the M20 model, as the other models did not even have a tray for a battery under the bonnet. Must be a quirk of the early models I suppose.

Keflaman, words barely describe my relief, I spent more time ripping that car apart and tracing every wire in the vehicle, then it took me to do my timing chain on the 318. Though I have acquired a plethora of knowledge on E34 wiring, so its not all bad. I still have nightmares of the 50+ wires bunched together here though:

Also Keflaman, I agree, that is what makes this forum so great. You can bring your problem here, and even though its not e30 or m42, there is always someone(s) willing to help, without snide criticism like most forums. Its a great group of people we have here.