E36 DME end of harness not long enough?

[StreuB1]

So Im still trying to get this damn harness in the car. Im using the 318is loom cover. I mounted the diagnostic connector in the hole on the drivers side and then try and mount the DME......but the harness is no where NEAR long enough. I am using the 318 DME mounting brackets.....however you mount those damn things.


Question 1:

Where do people mount their diag. plug?


Question 2:

HOW and what orientation do you mount the damn DME??




This is beginning to annoy me.

wtf??!??

[dashboardmonkey]

I have seen swaps with the diag. plug on the pass side, close to the firewall.

I don't have a swapped car...............yet, just what I have SEEN on here and a couple in person.

[FredK]

I mounted the diagnostic plug in the stock M42 location--right next to the fusebox. This, however, required cutting one wire and lengthening it so that it reached the other side of the car.

I mounted the DME in the normal E30 orientation--with the DME receptacle facing the rear of the car, and the harness connector wiring face facing the front of the car.

[StreuB1]

I mounted the diagnostic plug in the stock M42 location--right next to the fusebox. This, however, required cutting one wire and lengthening it so that it reached the other side of the car.

Its very reassuring when someone else has had EXACTLY the same issues. Yeah, Its ONE wire also thats holding me up. Looks like lengthening it is the key! Thought I might have been missing something.

Thanks Fred, AGAIN!!! :D

[Jason89i]

If it makes you feel any better, Ive almost always had to "untangle" the wiring mess and lengthen a wire or two. Ive always put the diag port on the exhaust side though.

The 318is wiring cover can be a real bugger to fit the wires into. On the exhaust side (where it narrows down and meets with the other firewall cover) it gets VERY tight. I usually strip unnecessary wires out of the harness just to get it to fit. remember, zip ties are your friend. I have always had to drill small holes in the mounting base and cinch the wires tightly into the base..... then (and usually only then) the cover snaps in place.

cheers, jason

[StreuB1]

Thanks Jason for the pep talk. Really helps actually knowing Im not the only one thats had this issue.

Mind snapping a few pics of yer engine bay with it installed? No need to take the cover off or anything. I just would like to see it all done up. Few close ups of where everything is, etc. Too much to ask??? :)

[Jason89i]

Thanks Jason for the pep talk. Really helps actually knowing Im not the only one thats had this issue.

Mind snapping a few pics of yer engine bay with it installed? No need to take the cover off or anything. I just would like to see it all done up. Few close ups of where everything is, etc. Too much to ask??? :)

send me an email and i can attach some old pics

sorry. Dont own any swapped cars right now..... except for this.....
no firewall to mount the 318/m3 harness cover

[FredK]

^ wow. That is my dream swap. S54 set back in the chassis.

[Farbin Kaiber]

^ wow. That is my dream swap. S54 set back in the m3 chassis.

Fixed.

[Jason89i]

yea, its a bit of a project. always wanted to get the s54 w/ 50/50 weight..... time will tell.

back on topic....just threw some engine bay pics in photobucket.

the black car had diag / main relays mounted on exhaust side. zip ties shown to keep wires tight in mounting bracket.

henna car had cover w/ broken tabs, couldnt keep the wires covered without zip ties on the outside.





cheerss, jason

[StreuB1]

Wow thanks Jason for the pics man!! I envy you with the M3's. Is the henna one Kevins old car?? He posted it on ETK like a year or so ago and someone in WI bought it.....

As far as the pics, theyre showning me what I need. Question though is what brackets did you mount the diag plug and the relays with??

[Jason89i]

Wow thanks Jason for the pics man!! I envy you with the M3's. Is the henna one Kevins old car?? He posted it on ETK like a year or so ago and someone in WI bought it.....

As far as the pics, theyre showning me what I need. Question though is what brackets did you mount the diag plug and the relays with??

kevin still has his henna, but i think he's selling it soon. i think i sold my henna right after he bought his.

i made a bunch of brackets to fit the specific need. cheers, jason