who knows electrical crap?

[McGyver]

I bought a $500 e30 and knew the electrical system was screwy, but just recently realized how bad it is. Some PO spliced into cables all over to ghetto rig the car and im trying to put it back to normal. I have the interior stripped and just need some help figuring out how to fix this shit. Anyone willing to come over and help? I live 4 blocks away from VCU's Monroe Park Campus.

[shiboujin]

I have full on wiring diagrams that should help. But nah, don't feel like driving down to richmond :-p

[JGood]

You can access the ETK's at:

http://www.wedophones.com/BMWManualsLead.htm

That tells you what wires go to what components, what color they are, wire thickness, whether it's power or ground or some type of signal, what connector it goes to, etc...

Do you have a list of stuff that doesn't work properly?

[StereoInstaller1]

Why not just swap harnesses?

At least go buy yourself a decent set of crimpers and a package or three of butt connectors and just make the harness stock again?

[evil_twin]

I have full on wiring diagrams that should help. But nah, don't feel like driving down to richmond :-p

This.

[McGyver]

i was going to just pull a full harness from a junker, but i need an 88+ 325i and the yards dont have any. I'll try to just figure it out using the diagrams though.

Whats not working:
1) the ENTIRE sound system has been hacked (wires cut/jumped and speakers/amp missing)
2)Brake/reverse/turn indicator lights in the rear
3)aux fan may have been put on a switch (PO said it was but i haven't fount it yet)

basically going off the check panel, i have bingo 2 ways...

[shiboujin]

eh. fuck the check panel. That's usually just sensors anyway. The rear wiring is all under the driver's side door molding. It tends to get fucked up with water.

The stereo stuff is probably better if you rerun it yourself. Those stock wires weren't that great. But regardless, they do run in the same spot as the trunk wiring. The lights in the back don't work or the check panel says they don't but they really do? Because, if the check panel is just being gay, you simply have to replace the trunk relay for it (behind the antenna ish).

aux fan? eh, fuck that. Just run your own.

[TexasTerp]

Get rid of all the wiring for the sound sound system, go to home depot, buy similar gauge wire by the spool (large spool) and re wire the whole setup yourself. it's far easier and better in the long run.

ditch the standard aux fan and go get a spal for cheap and run it remotely like everyone else.

rear lights you'll need to track the wires, start from the plug from the actual lights and go from there. it's easier if you remove the sound system wiring first.

[StereoInstaller1]

Don't be silly, guys...the stock wire is 100X better than shit from Home Depot or any normal car stereo shit.

You can adapt a late model harness to do damn near anything you want.

[TexasTerp]

Can't tell if you're trying to be sarcastic or not Luke. Although I definitely have a ton of wire from my parts car stored away just for this type of use!

[EricT]

He's not kidding... the stock stereo wiring really isnt all that bad.

[StereoInstaller1]

Show me Home Depot wire that is still shiny inside after 5 years much less 25...

[thereisnoyun]

I'm going to jump in here and say, I'm a little bothered by the amount of "free loaders" or simply ridiculous people out there.

You bought a car knowing it has problems for a dirt cheap and now you want someone else to drive over there to fix it for you? where is the logic in that?

Whats next? I bought a rust bucket, you think you can drive 5 hours over to my place, weld it up and paint for me?

[McGyver]

I'm trying to throw in a new dash, wire rear fogs, and wire a 13 button OBC in place of my broken 6 button one today if anyone wants to come by and help. 540-718-4103 and im like 2 blocks from broad and belvedier next to vcu.