Safe to remove all wires from battery?

Post Tue Jul 21, 2015 9:56 am

I have about 6 live wires attached to my battery, do people think it will be ok to remove all the added on wires?

I'm guessing they are for old stereos, alarms, immobilisers etc. The car does have an alarm and immobiliser but they are not in use.

Post Tue Jul 21, 2015 10:04 am

The additional wires are probably a potential fire hazard, and should be removed as a matter of priority. The E30 loom is provided with connection points for almost all conceivable accessories as standard, so the chances are that these wires have been added by people who do not fully understand electrical systems and the potential hazards that they can create.

Post Tue Jul 21, 2015 10:53 am

I take it if I disconnect them it shouldn't effect anything essential? I should try and trace them too.

Post Tue Jul 21, 2015 1:41 pm

daboy3000 wrote: it shouldn't effect anything essential?

I can't guarantee that! I've no way of telling from here of what previous bodgers have been up to.
The battery + terminal should have the big thick black wire to the starter motor, a red wire to the engine loom (under a black sheath), a red wire to the fusebox, and, on cars with ABS, a red wire to the ABS pump.

Post Tue Jul 21, 2015 1:42 pm

Its not ideal to take them off and just leave them hanging if thats what you mean

Post Tue Jul 21, 2015 1:51 pm

DanThe wrote:Its not ideal to take them off and just leave them hanging if thats what you mean

Definitely not. Each surplus wire needs tracing to its far end, and the inevitable bodge up you will find there needs removing as well.

Post Tue Jul 21, 2015 2:54 pm

DanThe wrote:Its not ideal to take them off and just leave them hanging if thats what you mean

Oh no, I mean before unplugging.

Just a bit worried that the immobiliser will kick in or something if I start disconnecting things.