E30 Cabbie Wiring Query & headlamp adjustment

[Scoot1]

Hi everyone, can you help please:

I have a 1990 factory built E30 325 cabriolet. I am making sure all is in order for this summer, prior to a strip down in the autumn in prep for a full respray, new hood, retrim.

My first concern is, I removed the under tray to the right of the steering wheel where a headlight adjust system is fitted. To my horror someone in the past has cut through the hard plastic blue and clear pipes to the adjust mechanism. How does the headlamp adjust system work please.

I have removed the remainder of the under tray on the drivers side and the following wiring is not connected:-

A connector on the right hand side comprising of 1 x Red/white wire, 1 x Brown wire, 1 x Blue brown wire.

Beneath the steering column - 4 pin connector but two are blanks the remaining two are 1 x purple/grey wire, 1 x black/grey wire.

To the left of the steering column - 1 x yellow wire, 1 x brown wire, 1 x black/brown wire, 1 x blue/red, 1 x Blue wire, 1 x Grey/Brown wire, 1 x Green/Brown wire, 1 x Black/white wire, 1 x Brown/orange wire.

Thanks guys look forward to your response

[daimlerman]

Headlight adjuster is filled with antifreeze,not one of BMW's best ideas...E34 electric adjusters can be made to fit,but it's hard work....
I THINK that the wiring connectors you mention should un-connected,unless you have an auto or a cat equiped car.

[Scoot1]

Thanks Daimlerman, it did taste sweet when I sucked some out earlier today, then I thought what have I done...pretty daft move on my part, but still here several hours later.

Any idea where the pipes run to and how to bleed the system? As I would like to get it working again.

Apologies my car is a manual gerabox, and does not have a CAT fitted.

I have also found two lights that come on when the headlights are switched on, they are in the same area as the headlight adjust pipework and I assume they fit into the headlight adjust housing (rear).
The date printed on a silver adhesive label attached to the wires is 20/02/90, along with 1 374 584 E30/712, does that mean anything other than perhaps an E30 and presumably 712 means cabbie.

Am I right in assuming that it is best to keep the wires unconnected then?

Thanks Dude, any help welcomed as none of this is in my Bentley manual.

[daimlerman]

Lights are the illumination for the headlight adjuster.
I use one to light up the main light switch....
Difficult to get the adjuster working properly,when you succeed,please post how it's done!
With the spare wiring plugs,one is for aircon fitted cars,one to suit autos and one for cat equipped cars,so stop worrying...
When you start searching the engine bay,you will find an un-used plug under the inlet manifold for a carbon canister,and another under the battery tray for a lambda sensor....

[Brianmoooore]

There are dozens of normally unused connectors around the wiring looms of all cars. Don't worry about it!
The headlamp adjuster pipes will have been cut after the system had failed, and you will have little luck in getting the system working again for more than a few months. You can buy the complete system new from BMW and fit it, but it still won't last more than a few years. The E34 electric system is reasonably easy to retro fit, and is far more reliable.
The two bulbs that were plugged into the adjuster are connected to the main loom by a plug and socket a few inches away, so can be unplugged and removed.

[Scoot1]

Brian, Daimlerman

Thanks guys, fantastic advice I really appreciate your help, shame about the headlight adjuster it would have been nice to get it working again but it sounds troublesome.

I guess it is a simple form of hydraulics, as the switch is turned it generates movement of antifreeze in the pipe which creates a flow within the pipe which in turn adjust the headlights. I don't suppose the pipes are connected to the coolant system in any way are they?

I may have a go at getting it working one dark winter night later this year when I strip the car down in prep for paintwork and trim. If I'm successful I'll post how to do it.

Carpet underlay was wet after being out in the snow so seats now out and carpet both sides wedged up to allow the air to flow. hence the reason for dropping the under dash, centre console and discovering the wires.
My original thought was to remove the carpet completely but to do so would mean a major interior strip out then refit and to be honest I will be doing that later this year but i am checking for Gremlins as the car had been stood for a while whist the 327 engine was built (now have aspare engine and block for stripping and rebuilding tho).
Where's best to source o/e spec carpets for the rebuild, so any help welcomed please.

Also anyone know of local meets in Gloucestershire?

[Brianmoooore]

Where's best to source o/e spec carpets for the rebuild, so any help welcomed please.

From a cab being broken, if yours really are damaged.
E30 carpets are close to being indestructible, as long as they have been used with mats, and a good jetwash brings them up like new.
I have two hung up outside drying right now, that I cleaned at the weekend.

[Scoot1]

Seriously a jet wash!!

Isn't that a bit drastic?

What about fading of the cloth, or have you find that jet washing them brings them up like new?

Checked on the carpet underside (sound deadening/underlay) this morning and they are dry as a bone so will refit probably Friday (good old newspaper, my rugby boot drying trick helped a treat with the aid of good ventilation)

Thanks Brian