Wiring help pls - in that bit in the top of the glove box...

Post Thu Aug 17, 2006 4:59 pm

Right then - someone has made a right mess of the wiring on this car when the current stereo was fitted

Shocking to find both the red and yellow power feeds both being taken from the hazard light switch

So, behind the panel at the top of the glovebox, there is a red wire with a fuse holder (thankfully no fuse in it!) and a yellow wire, which both go back to the little white connection block (right hand one which can be seen in the pic).
Are these the standard points where power for the stereo should be run from?
If so, presumably i can just pull the connector out of that white box and run a complete new cable?
Also, there appear to be loads of unused connectors there - any idea what they're for?? Anything useful?? Power, earth, etc??
Also, is there anywhere i can connect the white/orange cable for it to work the illuminations when the lights are on/off??

Cheers!

Post Thu Aug 17, 2006 7:16 pm

Little bump to attract anyone logging in after work!!
I'm sure someone will know!

Post Thu Aug 17, 2006 7:19 pm

the white connector is the "special equipment" socket, so as such would have had the radio connected to the power side somewhere

looking @ the wiring in the pic, possibly the best way forward is remove it all, and start again, that way you know it will work when you 1st turn it on, no safety hazzards either.

HTH, a little

Post Thu Aug 17, 2006 7:29 pm

Cheers Ant.

I think i'll unplug the red and yellow one's, terminate a new run of cable and plug them into there and see what happens!! Might test 'em with a meter first actually to make sure!

I decided to chop out the wiring anyway - chopped it right back now so i'll start putting fresh cables in tomorrow!! Hoping to get this new h/u in before gaydon!!

Any idea about where i can connect the illumination wire (white/orange)?

Better pic of that "special equipment" socket here too!! Makes it a bit clearer.

Post Thu Aug 17, 2006 9:04 pm

Had this with mine, some numpty had chopped up an extension cable and scotchlocked it onto the back of this socket.
I pulled it all out and fitted a propper radio loom I got from a breaker.

Best way IMO

Post Fri Aug 18, 2006 2:05 pm

Nothings simple is it!!!!!

Done some testing with a meter and I've found two points in that se socket that appear to be constant 12v - the one that had the single red wire attached in my last pic and the one below it. Only problem is they are very small pins - presumably meant to connect to some kind of bmw plug? So no idea how i'm gonna connect to that yet - anyone in croydon breaking an E30 and there now??
I really don't wanna have to run a complete new cable from the battery!!

Only good news is the one with a single yellow wire connected in my last pic is switched on the ignition and is a standard 'bullet' type connector.

Post Fri Aug 18, 2006 5:16 pm

Are there no scrap yards by you?

The proper radio loom (which has a plug that fits) takes about 5 mins to remove

Post Fri Aug 18, 2006 5:38 pm

the one the yellow is pluged into is for the cruise control if that helps at all some people botch things and wonder why they dont work good luck dude

Post Sat Aug 19, 2006 11:01 am

DanThe wrote:Are there no scrap yards by you?

The proper radio loom (which has a plug that fits) takes about 5 mins to remove

There is one!! Just went down there and they said the radio connections come in on the main loom and should be there - they reckon it's not just a bit that plugs in and didn't have one anyway!!!

Spoke to a few people who reckon i should take a feed from the ignition - didn't really wanna start splicing into stuff like that, but it's looking like i might have to!!

Cheers guys!

Post Sun Aug 20, 2006 8:01 am

I know the feeling when it comes to spagetti wiring...

the owner of my car thought he was a pro at DIY (really he wasn't!). The worst part I found was finding a loom that has wires cut at 14 different lengths!

As for your light illumination, it could come from the ashtray infront of the gearstick. There is a little globe with two wires (+-) there that you can get access to if you undo the two screws that hold the ashtray/cigarette lighter section in. Maybe double check with a voltmeter but I'm sure the light comes on with the lights rather than ignition. Hope it helps!