EDIT: Due to a lack of time to troubleshoot I ended up taking the car to the local BMW mechanic and they had it fixed in no time. Apparently it had something to do with some of the front light wires being frayed and contacting each other.
So I recently bought a 1989 325ix off of CL, and for the price I knew there would be some things to work on. The electronics are what've always perplexed me though. Ever since I got the car, the right-rear tail light hasn't worked. I've tried swapping it with known working bulbs and replacing the fuse (#23, which keeps blowing), but finally decided to start opening things up and inspecting the wiring.
The first thing I did was to remove the shift boot and ash tray. There were a couple pennies in the shift boot area, but the real mess is just ahead under the ash tray.
IMG_2404 by TACIdaho, on Flickr
As you can see, there's quite a mess of wires that I, frankly, know nothing about, but certainly don't look factory. It's also worth noting that there's an aftermarket head unit installed.
IMG_2405 by TACIdaho, on Flickr
I have no idea what this little light is for, lol.
IMG_2406 by TACIdaho, on Flickr
I found the the first wrap of two green wires to be contacting each other.
IMG_2424 by TACIdaho, on Flickr
The other, larger bunch, had all the wires separated from contact. (I think the red and black ones might be for the cigarette lighter) Also note the cut off brown wire not connected to anything in the background.
IMG_2422 by TACIdaho, on Flickr
I also found this mysterios couple of wires just in front of the ashtray that I also know nothing about.
IMG_2408 by TACIdaho, on Flickr
It may also be worth noting that the lower steering panel is missing and there's a mess of wires underneath there as well. I know most of these are stock, but there seems to be parts of an aftermarket alarm system as well as a few connectors leading nowhere.
IMG_2409 by TACIdaho, on Flickr
IMG_2413 by TACIdaho, on Flickr
IMG_2412 by TACIdaho, on Flickr
All the wiring by the actual tail lights seem fine, but I can add pictures if wanted. Last thing to mention is that the guage backlights don't work and the heater only blows on the highest setting (seems electrical).
Sorry for the long post, I'm just very inexperienced with the electrical side of E30s and want to make sure I don't mess anything up.
So I recently bought a 1989 325ix off of CL, and for the price I knew there would be some things to work on. The electronics are what've always perplexed me though. Ever since I got the car, the right-rear tail light hasn't worked. I've tried swapping it with known working bulbs and replacing the fuse (#23, which keeps blowing), but finally decided to start opening things up and inspecting the wiring.
The first thing I did was to remove the shift boot and ash tray. There were a couple pennies in the shift boot area, but the real mess is just ahead under the ash tray.
IMG_2404 by TACIdaho, on Flickr
As you can see, there's quite a mess of wires that I, frankly, know nothing about, but certainly don't look factory. It's also worth noting that there's an aftermarket head unit installed.
IMG_2405 by TACIdaho, on Flickr
I have no idea what this little light is for, lol.
IMG_2406 by TACIdaho, on Flickr
I found the the first wrap of two green wires to be contacting each other.
IMG_2424 by TACIdaho, on Flickr
The other, larger bunch, had all the wires separated from contact. (I think the red and black ones might be for the cigarette lighter) Also note the cut off brown wire not connected to anything in the background.
IMG_2422 by TACIdaho, on Flickr
I also found this mysterios couple of wires just in front of the ashtray that I also know nothing about.
IMG_2408 by TACIdaho, on Flickr
It may also be worth noting that the lower steering panel is missing and there's a mess of wires underneath there as well. I know most of these are stock, but there seems to be parts of an aftermarket alarm system as well as a few connectors leading nowhere.
IMG_2409 by TACIdaho, on Flickr
IMG_2413 by TACIdaho, on Flickr
IMG_2412 by TACIdaho, on Flickr
All the wiring by the actual tail lights seem fine, but I can add pictures if wanted. Last thing to mention is that the guage backlights don't work and the heater only blows on the highest setting (seems electrical).
Sorry for the long post, I'm just very inexperienced with the electrical side of E30s and want to make sure I don't mess anything up.
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