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Converting to toggle/momentary switches for ignition

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    Converting to toggle/momentary switches for ignition

    Not too long ago my ignition tumbler shit the bed and would not turn past accessory. In my explorations of the ignition cylinder, I managed to have the guts behind the tumbler fall out.

    Due to cost and (I thought) time benefits, I decided to go with two toggle switches and a momentary instead of replacing my tumbler. Thread regarding this is located here. Opinions aside, I ordered some stuff from summit and set about installing them today. Here's my post from e30tech detailing my current problem:

    As was probably to be expected: problem. I got my switches and was wiring it up today. The first tip off was that the ignition switch had 9 wires going to it, not the 7 I was expecting. Here's what I did:

    All 3 switches were connected to +12v on one side. I also tied the brown/blue wire to the +12v before it hits the switches (as per bentley diagram). The following is what was connected to the other terminal of the switch.

    Switch 1: Accessory: Solid purple wire. It remained purple for as long as I could see.
    Switch 2: Run: Green wire, green/gray wire (rear defroster I assumed)
    Switch 3: Start (momentary): black starter wire (becomes the expected black/yellow), and brown (as per bentley diagram)

    This brings me to the two extra wires that I had never heard of. There's a brown/green and brown/red. I have no clue what they do and as such I did not cut them. They're connected to their original positions on the ignition switch. What do I do with them? The biggest problem is that the car does not start. Or do anything properly really. Upon testing and activating the switches, here's what each does:

    With no switch activated, the battery and brake fluid warnings on the dash are illuminated.
    Switch 1: Accessory: Multi-function clock lights up, radio does not come on
    Switch 2: Run: More dash lights (check engine, etc) come on, fuel gauge works, but not all dash lights are on
    Switch 3: Start (momentary): Dash lights dim a little, no activation of starter, car does not start

    1) What is the purpose/function of the brown/red wire and the brown/green wire? Could they be related to my non-start/malfunctioning?

    2) Why is my car behaving improperly in accessory, run, and start? Is my wiring correct? Did I misinterpret any of the other wires I connected?

    Please help if you have any insight, I'm supposed to go back to school Sunday evening and would hate to be driven up by my father, as well as not have my car for a week or more.
    I'm trying to get as much exposure for this problem as possible in the hopes that surveying every mind possible will get me a clean, prompt answer. Thanks for any help.
    86Zinno

    #2
    Anybody have any ideas?
    86Zinno

    Comment


      #3
      Last bump before I try to hook everything back up in stock fashion and return to starting my car with a screwdriver for the time being.
      86Zinno

      Comment


        #4
        i wish i could help, but im in the "screw driver" boat right now too.
        sigpic
        1987 - 325i Convertible Delphin Auto [SOLD], 325i Convertible Delphin Manual [SOLD]
        1989 - 325i Convertible Bronzit m30b35 swapped [SCRAPPED], 325i Sedan Alpine Auto[DD]
        1991 - 325i Coupe Laguna Manual [Project], 535i Sedan Alpine [SCRAPPED]

        Comment


          #5
          Good god, guys, no junkyards there?

          To the OP, have you looked at the wiring diagrams?

          Closing SOON!
          "LAST CHANCE FOR G.A.S." DEAL IS ON NOW

          Luke AT germanaudiospecialties DOT com or text 425-761-6450, or for quickest answers, call me at the shop 360-669-0398

          Thanks for 10 years of fun!

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by StereoInstaller1 View Post
            Good god, guys, no junkyards there?

            To the OP, have you looked at the wiring diagrams?
            While living in fairfield county has it's benefits, junkyards are not one of them.

            I've pored over the ETM and Bentley diagrams. I don't understand what could have gone wrong as all I was doing was replacing the action of a key turning the ignition switch to switches replicating the exact same thing.
            86Zinno

            Comment


              #7
              You certainly can. I do that same thing with remote starts all the time.

              Closing SOON!
              "LAST CHANCE FOR G.A.S." DEAL IS ON NOW

              Luke AT germanaudiospecialties DOT com or text 425-761-6450, or for quickest answers, call me at the shop 360-669-0398

              Thanks for 10 years of fun!

              Comment


                #8
                Wish i could help. Mine has a button to start but its set up where you still need the key in the on position to work.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by Zaun View Post
                  Wish i could help. Mine has a button to start but its set up where you still need the key in the on position to work.
                  How did you wire the starter button? Did you simply splice into the +12v at the ignition switch and then use the other terminal of the switch to connect to the black/yellow starter wire?
                  86Zinno

                  Comment


                    #10
                    bump for more info

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Did you ever get this working? I am attempting to do the same thing with a Longacre ignition switch panel. As this is going on a race car, I would be using an ignition switch and starter button only.
                      The Homer: Powerful like a gorilla, yet soft and yielding like a Nerf ball.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        FWIW I got this working. Green and purple wires go to ignition, red is 12V, black is start. None of the other wires mattered. I originally didn't have the purple wire connected, but without it connected, the wipers won't work.

                        The Homer: Powerful like a gorilla, yet soft and yielding like a Nerf ball.

                        Comment

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