No dash lights ........

[gingerrusta]

Hi guys

Got a small problem ........

My car wasn't running brilliant so decided to take out

The radiator , dizzy , coolant hoses to see if the timing marks lined up with the belt .
Checked the markings and all was fine. ( more so for peace of mind )

Put everything back and connected up a new battery.

Filled the coolant back up and went to start the car but there is no dash lights.
Car has a Clifford alarm on it and you can still arm and disarm the alarm but the dash cluster has no lights as if the immobiliser is still on.

Before all this work was done the previous battery ran flat ( just thought I would mention )

So I'm thinking a fuse somewhere ?

You can still turn on the headlights

[gingerrusta]

Check these wires first then? On the + there is a few wires.

[gingerrusta]

Your comment has gone Brian moooore ? Or am I going crazy lol

[Brianmoooore]

Your comment has gone Brian moooore ? Or am I going crazy lol

No, I withdrew it, 'cause it doesn't fit with the headlamps still working.
Not quite sure what dash lights you mean. None of them should be affected by a correctly installed immobiliser.

[gingerrusta]

When you turn the ignition key you would normally get the lights along the service indicator row ie battery lights etc but none of them are lit ?

[Brianmoooore]

In that case, power from the ignition switch isn't reaching the instrument cluster on a plain green wire, if the battery light doesn't illuminate.
There is a plug and socket clipped to the steering column that this wire passes through, but no fuses at all. From what you say in the OP, it seems that your immobiliser isn't connected as BMW intended, and may be in series with this wire, so I'd say that it's the main suspect.

[gingerrusta]

I will have a check then of any fuses which may be behind the dash then as I think it's something to do with the alarm / immobilser as well. I will chase back from this green wire also

[Brianmoooore]

Only one fuse anywhere behind the dash put there by BMW at the factory, and if that is blown, all that will happen is your heater won't blow fully cold.

[gingerrusta]

I have now managed to get it started but with the following problems

If I turn the key fully forward it starts but as soon as I let go of the key it cuts out ?

Also when you turn the key to the first position I don't get all the lights you normally get I.e hand brake light etc

I have made a video but not sure how to upload it to explain it

[Brianmoooore]

Find the plug and socket half way down the steering column, unplug it, take the half that has a black/yellow wire rather than a plain black wire, then use short pieces of wire to link the red wire to the purple and to the green wire. This should be the equivalent of having the ignition switch on.
If all is OK at this stage, touch another wire from the red to the black/yellow. This should engage the starter motor and the car should start.

[gingerrusta]

Thank you Brian mooooore I will give that a go