my fusebox is bad. rebuild it?

[Kershaw]

1989 325ix. build date 11/88.

about 1/4 of my fuses arent getting power. for instance, #17 for my power windows. that quarter down there is all spotty.

my wipers dont work, and my cluster doesnt work either. i replaced all the fuses and checked all the relays against known good ones.

power windows:
i traced lack of power all the way from the switches, to the breaker, to under the dash. i can use my multimeter to see that the white/black wire that goes from the little plug in box to the fusebox has no power. my passenger window works just fine if use a powered contact in the box next to it (i believe its for the 13 button obc.)

so lack of power goes all the way to the fuse box and its not the motors themselves.

so.. what do i do? try to resolder every connection on the circuit board? just heat and let it cool. that would repair all the microfractures it might have. might take awhile though and may not even fix it.

so.. i guess my only real option is to replace the fuse box itself. but fuck me sideways that is a shit ton of wires.

i thought there was a fusebox rebuild thread, but i cant find it.

any help is appreciated. i would like to get this ix on the road.

[Kershaw]

bump.

help please.

[nando]

it's doable. I know I've seen at least one guy do it. I'd probably find a good one and replace the board itself. Are most of the wires soldered or crimped in?

be sure you get comfy with the ETM..

[Kershaw]

the wires appear to be both, soldered on the fuses and crimped on the relays. i'm not positive on that. but the relays did have big plastic crimp things.

i know a guy who parts e30s for a living, (shane synder here on r3v) so i've already asked for a fuse box from him. i asked him to give me as much wire as possible and cut them all. i'll take everything.

i'll have to test all the connections before it goes in. no real way to know if the fusebox was in great condition unless i pulled it from a running car. and then wiring close to 50 wires? what a PITA. -_- although i believe shane did say it was running. he had 2 for me to chose from, an 87 is and a 90 cabrio. i chose the cab because its 88+, i figured the wiring would be the same.

i just downloaded the etm for my ix.

[riceh8r]

spent 1 hr. noting all wire locations. then pulled mine out and re-soldered all connections and terminals. works like a new one. good luck.

[Cletonius]

Just did this myself. There are several different boards, took me almost 2 months to find the one I needed. I have an extra if you need one. I can supply a pic of the board if you are interested. It's red in color and has a "006" burned in. all the wires are already out. I would sell it for $40 shipped usps priority.

The terminals are relatively easy to remove with the right tool, I made a tool in about 15 minutes with some 1/8" steel bar stock and a bench grinder. There's a good thread on e30tech by peerless that details the fusebox disassembly / reassembly process. Just take good notes and don't force anything. It took me about 2 hours to release all the wires the first time but after figuring it out on subsequent fuseboxes it only took about 10 minutes with the tool I made. I can give you a pic and dimensions on the tool also if you like. It was super easy to make.

Good luck!

[Kershaw]

how do you know which board i need?

can you link me to the thread on e30tech?

thanks.

[StereoInstaller1]

Hey Josh, how about a pic of your tool?


-that did not come out right at all

[Cletonius]

You have to pull the fusebox apart to see the board. There are 3 philips head screws.

Here's what mine looked like:

http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=195958

Here's the thread from e30tech:

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1119425

The fusebox I'm selling is actually the red one in the pics in this thread. I traded with Robert for it but it wasn't what I needed.

[Cletonius]

Hey Josh, how about a pic of your tool?


-that did not come out right at all

Sure thing big boy, show me yours I'll show you mine.

It's at the garage, I'll snap a pic tonight if I make it back out there. (the car is at my in-laws house 20 mins away. They have garage and I don't)

[StereoInstaller1]

Good to hear you finally got progress, and that I didn't have to sell you my spare fusebox!

[Cletonius]

Me too, although I would like to keep a spare on hand just in case for next time. Now I just need to get a blower motor and I'll be good to go.

[DaveSmed]

Hold up.

Which fuses are getting spotty power?

Fuses 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 by any chance?

They are not controlled by the ignition nor do they have power at all times. They ONLY have power when certain conditions are met, and are controlled by relays K5 K6 and K7.

[DaveSmed]

Also check fuses 4, 5, 6, and 12 with the key on. Those should be getting power at that point. Your horn work?

[blackhawkimpact]

Just go to the junkyard and get a fuse box. I did this and today I replaced it. Pretty easy. Took me an hour do swap de-pin and re-pin the fuse box. I was gonna write a DIY but I don't have a camera. :(

Make sure you get the right fuse box for your car though.