Fitting new Ignition rail/leads

[NIX]

Hi Guys,

Seems like a relatively simple job but just in case I thought I'd check with your good selves.

I've got an '89 325i and have just bought a new ignition rail with leads to replace my old one. Nothing fancy, just standard replacement.

Is there anything I should look out for and how long should it take me given that mechanics wise I'm better than joe bloggs but not as handy as many of you I should imagine.

Cheers,

Nick

[e30-EVN]

As they come on a rail its easy to figure out where they go plug end but on the distributor end a tip from me is to take off 1 at a time and replace until all 6 have been changed then you just put them onto the plugs and then change the coil lead.
You should have a pulse sensor on 1 of the new leads (no 6 I believe), trace where that goes (under the obd port) and replace that to.

[NIX]

Cool, sounds like I should be able to get it done in under half hour if that.

Am tempted to fit it one night this week. Is it a job that you think will be too fiddly/precise to attempt without much light?

Cheers!

[e30-EVN]

Nah its not to bad, the rail is attached to the engine by 2 of the 10mm rocker cover nuts and the rest (lead ends) just clip on.
The only thing I would say you need light for would be the tdc pulse lead clip that is underneath the obd port.
If you havnt done this before I would suggest you do it with light to see what your doing mate - Ant

[NIX]

Cheers Ant...might wait till Saturday in that case.

Thanks!

[e30-EVN]

No worries mate

[daimlerman]

The lead for the pulse sensor mentioned above needs to be fed carefully across the front of the engine,and secured in such a way that it does not get chopped up by the cooling fan.

So two or three cable ties are a good idea!

[e30-EVN]

^^good point, forgot to mention that. Well done that man

[NIX]

Right, cable ties, check.

Thanks guys!

[Brianmoooore]

Careful when tightening the rocker cover bolts that secure the brackets for the cable box. If the nuts 'pick up' on a bracket and twist it, it's likely to break away from the box.

[NIX]

Thanks as always Brian!

[Barton]

how much did you pay for this?

i cant find the correct leads for my car, let alone at a reasonable price

last leads i got were the right type with the sensor on it, but had the wrong distributor plugs

[NIX]

Got the rail and leads (came as one) off ebay for under £50 delivered. The seller was called kmspartsonline I think. It's sold as new and looks in good shape but haven't fited them yet so we'll see. They have the item for both pre and post face lift models.

Hope this helps.

N

[Barton]

found these

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-E30-320-323-3 ... 2c58e548b2

but they dont have the sensor that is on one of the leads

[NIX]

That's exactly what I ordered and who I ordered from.

What year is your e30?

[Barton]

88/89

[Brianmoooore]

found these

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-E30-320-323-3 ... 2c58e548b2

but they dont have the sensor that is on one of the leads

Not really suitable then, is it!

[Barton]

found these

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-E30-320-323-3 ... 2c58e548b2

but they dont have the sensor that is on one of the leads

Not really suitable then, is it!

thats what i'm saying, if i find the lead with the sensor, they have the wrong dizzy plugs, if i find one with the right dizzy plugs, they dont have the sensor

and i refuse to pay £200 from bm

[Brianmoooore]

So use genuine second hand ones then. Plenty of them around.

[NIX]

Hmmm, so will the rail/leads I bought not work as a straight swap for the standard ones I have on there at the moment?

[Brianmoooore]

If you've already bought them, I suppose you could swap in your old #6 lead.

[charlE30]

The ones in the link don't have the pulse sensor required on the facelift motronic 1.3.