Author Topic: Unknown socket under dash (Read 5528 times)

littleboyblues · « **on:** October 07, 2010, 07:50:38 AM »

Hi,

There's a socket under the drivers side dash with approximately 20 prongs on it and its not attached to anything. (one of those retanglular sockets housing 10x2 prongs). Would anyone have a clue what its for.

I'd think its for engine codes but...seems that engine code can be found without shorting anything so im lost as to what its for. Just curious.

I have a 1991 car if that makes a difference.

Thanks in advance

YetiX · « **Reply #1 on:** October 07, 2010, 09:10:16 AM »

There are actually quite a few in there. What color is the one you're talking about? If it's orange, it's for the airbag your car may or may not have. Otherwise, it could be for cruise control or fog lights or . . .

littleboyblues · « **Reply #2 on:** October 09, 2010, 11:00:59 AM »

Its a white (transpartent white plastic) connector thats 12x2 prongs.

Cant be the abs cause i have the big abs computer hanging there. (same size as the motronic)

I also have an unused orange connector that has 6 prongs with one of the inner prongs unused. That is probally my airbag cause i dont have one.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #3 on:** October 09, 2010, 11:58:48 AM »

What color is the wiring going in? I'm curious, but I just put my kick panels back (after being off for months) and I'm not pulling them off to check. Next time I pull it all out I'll take a look-see.

It might be a connector for the Alpine security system harness. I'd guess if it's an earlier car it could also be a rear light check control harness or premium stereo plug. None were offered by BMW NA for our cars. BMW always leaves lots of wiring in their cars for dealer-installable options too.

littleboyblues · « **Reply #4 on:** October 09, 2010, 12:52:37 PM »

It could very well be a security system thing. The previous owner had a system installed but disabled it cause it was acting up. So the wiring for the system is still in there and so is the wireless receiver. The dash light for the system and the switch (not sure why there is one but whatever) run to this connector. So the connector is for the security system?

In terms of colour of wires: basically every colour. Lots of white, a couple reds and an orange a yellow and a purple.

Was there a dealer security option. Didnt think this stuff was around back then.
I have a late car. 1991 'is' model if that makes a difference.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #5 on:** October 09, 2010, 01:07:21 PM »

My '89 325i had a system. I pull them out because they have a habit of flaking out. Mine is the Alpine one, I think. Unfortunately it's missing the key fobs. It's a pretty impressive system..has an immobilizer, a shock sensor, a tilt sensor and even the little blinky red LED in the dash socket.

longtallsally · « **Reply #6 on:** October 25, 2010, 05:33:12 AM »

If it is an alarm, pull it. Your car will thank you. I won't even consider buying a car if there was an alarm installed.

As for plugs, I don't think it is for diagnostics as that is done from the bay I believe and this is prior to OBD II. Is it proper white, or clear? Is everything working? It could be to a turn signal stalk, or wiper stalk. I can think of only 2 proper white plugs: a big one that plugs into the junction block on the firewall (I suspect your car won't run w/o this) and a one to the cluster.

It's probably an alarm that will screw your car up some time or another, so I'd pull it. And depending on stupid the monkey putting it in was, it could be a real PITA.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #7 on:** October 25, 2010, 07:46:21 AM »

LTS - do you think it's a plug for the seat heaters or something like that?

I did pull the security system, BTW. It's still in the old loom, the M20B25 is in it's new home.

I have a wiring harness issue to find & fix, no start for me yet. :mad:

longtallsally · « **Reply #8 on:** October 25, 2010, 08:05:11 AM »

Quote from: DesktopDave;97891

LTS - do you think it's a plug for the seat heaters or something like that?

I did pull the security system, BTW. It's still in the old loom, the M20B25 is in it's new home. I have a wiring harness issue to find & fix, no start for me yet. :mad:

I don't think so. OEM, the heated seat harness routes on with the other wiring along the door sill and UP to the junction block. Also, my connector to the junction block is black and has a single wire to it (for power) and the other wire is a ring terminal for the ground.

The plugs you may be thinking of are those going to the seats themselves and they are clear plastic. The plugs going to the switches are black.

And I think you and I are of the same mindset on alarms and it is probably why you are having problems.

I'm starting to realize, it really is quite ridiculous how much I have retained about these cars...

DesktopDave · « **Reply #9 on:** October 25, 2010, 08:30:45 AM »

Maybe it's for the really rare climatronic bits. Odd and very rare system there.

If I had the remotes I might have thought twice about it. I kept it in case someone needs spares. I'm not sure I trust 20 year old electronics much.

You are an encyclopedia of BMW. If only the featured those questions on Jeopardy!

YetiX · « **Reply #10 on:** October 25, 2010, 12:12:31 PM »

I'm going to repeat myself here: It's probably for cruise control if you don't have that for your car.

LTS, does the cruise control stalk hook up to a 20 pin connection?

DesktopDave · « **Reply #11 on:** October 25, 2010, 12:32:00 PM »

No, cruise doesn't use it. The cruise adds a new harness across the dash that was never installed by BMW on the e30 M42. The computer terminates a connector above the DME on one end. The other end runs to the aux power block, the actuator plug, the control stalk connector, the cluster, and the clutch switch.

longtallsally · « **Reply #12 on:** October 25, 2010, 02:48:56 PM »

What Dave said.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #13 on:** October 25, 2010, 07:10:51 PM »

Who knows what those crazy Bavarians dreamed up in the 1983 Oktoberfest? To tell you the honest truth I have yet to see it. IMHO we should nickname it "the Yeti Connector" in honor of the mystery and our previous poster.

Flux capacitor? Illudium Q-36 Explosive Space Modulator? Vibrating seats?

longtallsally · « **Reply #14 on:** October 26, 2010, 12:05:19 AM »

Quote from: DesktopDave;97931

Who knows what those crazy Bavarians dreamed up in the 1983 Oktoberfest? To tell you the honest truth I have yet to see it. IMHO we should nickname it "the Yeti Connector" in honor of the mystery and our previous poster.

Flux capacitor? Illudium Q-36 Explosive Space Modulator? Vibrating seats?

It could be up there with the KLR and be a "doohickey" (correctly known as the idler shaft lever).

And don't name anything after Yeti, it will be slow, break a lot, and take twice as long to fix. :p When do I get to come home and ride in the desert again? Although you guys probably don't want me to go home b/c I'll forget that I have a car...