What's This??

[ashje]

So there's a black box from my engine bay which looks really ugly and i don't know what it is, alarm maybe?



So what is it and can it be removed?

Thanks
Ash

[aimlessrock]

looks like an alarm, its likely a dealer fit. i had one some years ago in a 1986 316.

[ashje]

It makes sense and the bracket that held it on looks as if it's been there from new.

Will probably just remove it.

[ashje]

It makes sense and the bracket that held it on looks as if it's been there from new.

Will probably just remove it.

[Brianmoooore]

That looks like a Piranha BMW dealer fitted alarm/immobiliser. It has provision for two immobiliser circuits, which are likely to be connected in series with the feed to the ignition coil and ECU, the fuel pump feed, and the starter motor control. Either one or two of these circuits will be affected, and the most likely is the ignition feed if only one circuit is connected, and the ignition feed plus the starter control if immobiliser circuits are used.
If you just disconnect the plugs on the alarm you will find that the car won't start. Connect a wire between the battery + terminal and the coil + terminal and see if it starts and runs then. If so, then just the single immobiliser was connected, and you will have to trace the alarm wiring back to where the green original BMW wiring has been cut into, and rejoin it.
My notes show red/yellow and purple/black wires at the alarm as one of the immobiliser circuits.

[ashje]

Ok looks like i need todo some digging then, thanks for the information.