Dash Wiring Questions?

[iansane]

So I picked up a '91 325 shell awhile ago with no engine. I've since swapped in an M42 motor since it was cheap and complete. I've finally gotten to the point of applying power to the car and trying to start it. Right now there is no cluster or HVAC setup installed. With a battery hooked up I can turn the key to the start position and the engine cranks over healthily but will not fire. I'm not sure if the lack of cluster has anything to do with it. I also ditched the sparkplug wires and went COP but I don't know if I have them in the right order. I traced the wires and am 99% sure I have them setup 1234 from the front but don't know if that's the correct order? I was trying to tuck the wiring up under the dash and found a bunch of connectors that I'm not sure if they need to be plugged in somewhere and I was hoping someone could help me. All of these propagate from the harness next to the pedals.


Brown and blue wire, spade connector?


I believe a 6pin female connector with 5 wires?


Bottom of the shot, blue/green wire. Male bullet connector?


Center of the shot is a ground connector that doesn't seem to have a mate?


I think it's a 5 or 6 pin connector in a radial pattern?


12 pin connector. It looks like half of the cluster connector?


Two lights that illuminate as soon as the ignition key is turned on, regardless of headlight switch position.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. As I said, I don't know if any of these have anything to do with the nostart condition. I have begun to not trust any of the wiring on this car as I've found some pretty sketchy things left by previous owners.

[101]

I can at least get you started. The two loose bulbs go in the "CHECK ENGINE" and "ABS" indicator holes in the cluster. You'll have to do a little detective work to determine which is which since both come on with the key in the "ON" position, but turn off once the engine is started. All of the other cluster indicator lights and illumination lights use twist in bulb sockets.

[cWalk3r]

I think that orange one with 5 wires is for the air bag

[steel330i]

Any help you could throw my way with the install of the M42?? TIA

[iansane]

Thanks for the pointers guysf. Yanked that pesky ABS light and don't have to worry about the airbag junk. Haha.

Steel, what are you having issues with? Chassis year, engine year?

[steel330i]

91 318i with m42, swapping in another M42, just curious as to what. If any, issues you had with your install? Thanks

[mikerob97]

You really need to get yourself a wiring diagram when doing wiring work on your car. It will save you so much time in the long run. Takes all the guess work out of your projects and you will be able to clean up years of previous owners wiring hack jobs...

[Klug]

That green 12 pin connector is for the OBC