Aux/Secondary Fuse Box on e30

[jeenyus]

I'm curious if anyone knows the source of the 12v for the aux/secondary fuse box? (the little guy that hangs off the fuse box)

Mine seems to only work when the car is actually running. Not in the "on" position as you'd expect it to work. I'd like to figure out why this is the case if possible, but would like a little more understanding before cutting it all apart.

[Eskie]

It looks like one is tied to ignition power and the other to battery/always on power

[DrJosh]

It looks like one is tied to ignition power and the other to battery/always on power

That is what my 89 is.

[Northern]

pull the boot back and you can see which is which

[jeenyus]

I can't seem to understand why mine wouldn't work with the key in the first position though. Looking at the diagram it kind of looks like to me that the circuit ins't complete until you turn the key over to run. but then everyone else is saying they have constant 12v with the key turned to the first position. do you think it's possible that the alternator is tied to this some how and that's why i wouldn't get power until i run the car?