Shorted Ashtray Light n Cigar Lighter

[gath]

The above happened, fuse # 23 blow n changed, all other fuse n bulbs are good, light switch changed, rear light check relay changed but still no dash lights, side markers, rear lights and licence lights. I suspect it's a grounding connection lost or burnt because the car runs like it did when grounding came loose awhile back, where would be the next place to check for this.. ?

[spdracrm3]

everything you mention runs thru fuse 23 ,the c103 connector(30 pin connector under left side of dash) and the grey/red wire from headlight switch pin 1,the dash light run thru the dimmer funtion of the headlight switch to ground G200 (under left side of dash near clutch pedal area )all other lights ground at G300(under LH side rear seat)

do you have a test light to make sure power is good thru fuse to headlight switch?

[gath]

Yes, the test light shows there's power goin to the lights switch.. n theres power to the cigar lighter too but no the ashtray lights.

[spdracrm3]

cigarette lighter is on a different fuse

so with a test light you have power into headlight switch gryey/green wire pin 7 , do you have power out on grey/red wire pin 1 with light switch on in either positions(park or headliights)?
if yes do you have power at the ashtray lamp socket? again grey/red wire?

[gath]

No, I have power in pins 12 when the switch is off n power in 12 and 8 when switch is on.. no power in 1 or 7..

[spdracrm3]

theres your problem your not getting power thru fuse 23 to the light switch (pin 12 is thru fuse 22 and off the same power source in the fuse box so that is good to that point),check the power at the fuse 23 both sides and check the fuse terminals in the fuse box to make sure they are tight on fuse blades

[spdracrm3]

if you have power at and thru fuse 23 for sure then you have a wiring problem between fuse 23 and the light switch pin 7 (grey/green wire), there is only one connector between those two and it is connector C103 a 30 pin white connector under left side of dash.

[gath]

Thnx a lot, I fiddled with fuse 23 connection in the fuse box and "whoa" the dash is now lit up like x-mas.. damn!! it has driven crazy for a # of days.. lol

I appreciate.. :D owe U 1

[spdracrm3]

need to figure out if the pins are spread,broken or burnt on that fuse connector so you dont hit a bump some night and lose interior lights again!

glad i could help ,maybe i'll see you at the E30 picnic ,where you located in washington?

[gath]

am in Tacoma. I think there's an issue with the fuse box coz it had fried fuse # 20 or 21 real bad.. to this day my heated seats work only when the lights are out and as soon as I turn them on the seats turn off.. soon I'll try to change the fuse box circuit board which I knw it's no joke.

[gath]

I'll definitely be at the picnic..

[Mike36]

Bump this. Hopefully someone can add diagrams to this post.

[AndrewBird]

You can find all of the factory ETKs here:

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

[Todd Black 88]

Download the etm. All the diagrams you need are there