Wow... The electrical gremlins attack!

[Moxie]

So, I gave up on the turn signal for a while due more pressing issues with the E30, but now I'm back for more, and I've tried more solutions.

The symptoms:
- Hazards work on the RIGHT side, but do NOT work on the LEFT
- Neither signal works
- Perhaps related: My right rear tail is out.

What has been checked:
- Turn signal bulbs
- Fuses
- Turn signal stalk
- Turn signal relay

I've got nothing other than the possible relationship with the rear tail, but I'm still not sure how that would inhibit the entire system from working at all.

[t1xj]

been looking on realoem a lot, can't seem to find it. i think i'm going to try to make my own connector to the impulse sender.

[Gregs///M]

www.realoem.com. If anywhere, it will be there.

[t1xj]

closest yard with imports is 80+ miles away. i'd really like a part # (if anyone knows it) for the wire set coming out of differential so i knew what i was looking at, if it's real costly i might post up an ad for it. thanks. oh and 89 325is if it matters

[Gregs///M]

i know this thread is from a bit ago, but i've been looking all over for answers...

my speed sensor wire is broken pretty close to the plug and in generally bad condition, so i'd like to replace it but i can't find the part number for the wire set... did you find one or did the splice fix you did mean you don't have to find a new wire set? found the sensor that plugs into the diff but can't find the wire set. or maybe i did but didn't know i had found it.

if you or anyone know the part number of that wire set i'd really appreciate it.

my problems are similar, no cruise, no speedo, no odometer, all other gauges work.

Try cutting one from a junk car. Or post an ad in the wanted section of this forum. Someone will help you out at their next junk yard run.

[t1xj]

i know this thread is from a bit ago, but i've been looking all over for answers...

my speed sensor wire is broken pretty close to the plug and in generally bad condition, so i'd like to replace it but i can't find the part number for the wire set... did you find one or did the splice fix you did mean you don't have to find a new wire set? found the sensor that plugs into the diff but can't find the wire set. or maybe i did but didn't know i had found it.

if you or anyone know the part number of that wire set i'd really appreciate it.

my problems are similar, no cruise, no speedo, no odometer, all other gauges work.

[Moxie]

Alright. I switched all the fuses to ATO's. Not sure if it helped anything, but whatever... it's done.

Checked the speed sensor. Ground wire was cut (it was brown, so I presume it was a ground). Spliced it up. Speedo works! However, I didn't mention it before because I figured that my cruise control was causally related to the speedo not working, and apparently it's not. So I'll mention it now... My cruise control also no worky! All my fuses are good. Any trouble shooting advice? Google searches haven't been incredibly productive on the matter.

Edit: Seeing a lot about the brake switch. Might give that a shot, if no one else has any better ideas.

Turn signals still aren't working. As best I can tell, all of the wiring to the lights is good, and I've replaced every single bulb. I've also replaced the relay. Basically, I've replaced everything except the turn signal stalk. I guess that's what I'll try next. I was wanting to do the 13 button OBC conversion anyway.

One thing I've also been meaning to ask about is going back to halogens from HID's. The previous owner did an HID conversion. I don't mind HID's if they work properly, but I've never noticed a huge difference in the HID versus halogens (seems like the most noticeable difference is in the use of a projector lens; not the bulb). Anyway, I digress. Is it easy to switch back? These things have never consistently worked right.

[Moxie]

The wiring looks pretty mangled so yeah, it could cause intermittent shorting. Repair that wiring and replace any blown fuses. Use the same type (blade) fuses from any auto parts store.

Blown fuses have been replaced. I used ATC's, but that was based on immediately available (i.e., not necessarily reliable) information acquired while at Advance Auto. After digging around, I'm seeing a lot of ATO's in pictures of fuse boxes.

Speed signal comes from the sensor into C2 (white connector, ) brown/red stripe. It should have a pulse signal while moving. You can use a digital multimeter connected with the AC volts setting. You should see 1.5-6 volts AC while moving or applying power to the rear wheels while on jack stands.

If you verify this, (clean contacts at rear diff first,) and it does not solve the problem, you will need to have the speedometer repaired or replaced. Give me a PM if you need it tested.

I should be able to get to testing the speed sensor tomorrow afternoon/evening. Will update then. I'll give you a shout if I need anything! Thanks, again!

[Gregs///M]

The wiring looks pretty mangled so yeah, it could cause intermittent shorting. Repair that wiring and replace any blown fuses. Use the same type (blade) fuses from any auto parts store.

Speed signal comes from the sensor into C2 (white connector, ) brown/red stripe. It should have a pulse signal while moving. You can use a digital multimeter connected with the AC volts setting. You should see 1.5-6 volts AC while moving or applying power to the rear wheels while on jack stands.

If you verify this, (clean contacts at rear diff first,) and it does not solve the problem, you will need to have the speedometer repaired or replaced. Give me a PM if you need it tested.

[Moxie]

Okay, I have some trouble shooting updates.

Checked the gauge cluster. All seems to be fine. Everything is connected where it should be.

The speed sensor is connected, but I haven't had a chance to pull it and clean off the connections. Is the sensor on the 325i the same as 325e and/or does anyone have the part number on hand? Google is showing up multiple speed sensors, and it could be a couple of days before I get to pull it.



^^Could this possibly be the reason that my signals are jacked? I removed the bumper today, and was kinda surprised when it just popped out and fell to the ground.

Also, what is the correct type of fuse for our cars? I've found mixed results googling this. Should I use open or closed fuses?

[MoreMayhem]

I feel your pain. I've had electrical problems with other cars, and was able to weed through them with just a bare minumim knowledge of car electronics and a few simple tools.
No grad degree for me, just a BA in Communications!
Don't know if anyone mentioned it, but check all of your ground points too. There are a few scattered around the car. When you think you have found one, it will usually be several brown wires coming together in one spot that are bolted to the chassis. Make sure you have clean, solid grounds.

[Moxie]

Speedo and odometer not working is a sure sign the cluster is not getting speed signal from the rear differential sensor. Check to make sure all the plugs are connected to the cluster with nothing left out. Everything should be obvious where it plugs into.

Double check the speed sensor in the rear diff. Disconnect plug and check condition of the conductors and make sure they are not oxidized or corroded.

Verify your blinker bulbs are good. Fast blinking means the bulb is out. I would start there. Same with the cluster bulbs...how do you know they are good? Did you test them on a 12V circuit?

If you suspect any problems with the cluster, I rebuild them. I can go into more details but you need to check those bulbs first.

I'll try to get to the cluster and speed sensor today. Thanks for the tip on that!

The bulbs in the cluster all come on when I have the headlights on and my turn signal stalk in the up OR down position, but I'll go ahead and replace them anyway while I have it out.

I have an update on the blinker. When I put the hazards on, the right blinker blinks (really fast). But neither (left or right) blinks when I move the stalk. Also, I just replaced of the bulbs yesterday morning. While I was doing that, I noticed a couple of anomalies. The rear and front marker lights were unplugged. Not sure if that would make any difference or not.

Thanks again, for all the help with this Greg!

Just checking, if it had been an engineering degree it'd be different. Carry on.

Fair enough.

[brianao34]

Not sure why that matters, but... Experimental psychology. No, I don't fix crazy.

Just checking, if it had been an engineering degree it'd be different. Carry on.

[Gregs///M]

Speedo and odometer not working is a sure sign the cluster is not getting speed signal from the rear differential sensor. Check to make sure all the plugs are connected to the cluster with nothing left out. Everything should be obvious where it plugs into.

Double check the speed sensor in the rear diff. Disconnect plug and check condition of the conductors and make sure they are not oxidized or corroded.

Verify your blinker bulbs are good. Fast blinking means the bulb is out. I would start there. Same with the cluster bulbs...how do you know they are good? Did you test them on a 12V circuit?

If you suspect any problems with the cluster, I rebuild them. I can go into more details but you need to check those bulbs first.

[Moxie]

Grad student in what?

Not sure why that matters, but... Experimental psychology. No, I don't fix crazy.