Adding a fuse

[SiGmA]

Hey guys. I'm trying to add a fuse in to the stock e36 fuse box for some various extra electrical things. Which terminal is the one that I need that will clip into the fuse box? I've been poking around the ETK in section 61 and this is what I've found so far, but I'm not sure which I need. If anyone can help that would be great!!

http://bmwfans.info/original/images/7666_p.png

[johnf]

#2 looks like what you want. That one, however, comes in a couple different widths (jutting toward 2 and 8 o'clock in the drawing). I believe you want the widest one but I am not sure. I salvaged a bunch from an obsoleted E34 harness and haven't yet had to order any.

You can get unswitched power for your fuse from the big bolt you'll see on the underside of the fuse box.

[SiGmA]

Thank you John! I was thinking it was #2 but was unsure. I think we have a couple in stock here at my work :) I knew they came in a few sizes, glad to know the widest is the best choice. Is there switched power in the fuse box, I knew about the unswitched, but not switched. I was thinking to add in a relay for switched, if it wasn't already there.

[CLEANM3whipz]

^ your car looks sick!! love those rims

[johnf]

I knew about the unswitched, but not switched. I was thinking to add in a relay for switched, if it wasn't already there.I bet you can find something in the pile of comb terminals in the bowels of the fusebox. The power distribution pages in the front of the BMW ETM and the corresponding splice locations in the back should get you oriented and suggest some wire colors to find and follow.

[JCooper]

Bump!

Anyone know for sure which connector is needed to add a fuse to the fusebox?

http://bmwfans.info/original/images/7666_p.png

[flyfishvt]

That's been asked and answered in the first reply to this thread. Why would anyone actually buy one of those? Go to a junk yard and go postal on a clunker. That way you'll get a pigtail to splice onto at the same time.

[JCooper]

The dealer is about a mile from myself while the nearest junkyard with an e36 iirc is around 12 miles away and im not even sure if it's still there. That little piece of metal can't be no more then $2 anyway so no big deal. Im retrofitting a rear power vent kit so new wiring is getting laid everywhere; so crimping wires to connectors will be on the agenda regardless.

[JDStrickland]

The dealer is about a mile from myself while the nearest junkyard with an e36 iirc is around 12 miles away and im not even sure if it's still there. That little piece of metal can't be no more then $2 anyway so no big deal. Im retrofitting a rear power vent kit so new wiring is getting laid everywhere; so crimping wires to connectors will be on the agenda regardless.


I'm confused.

What's the problem with putting in an inline fuse to the new circuit you are building.

I get the overwhelming feeling of, "If you have to ask, ..."

There are several empty slots in the fuse box if you wanted to add a fuse. I have no clue how to tell you to add a fuse, but if I was doing this work I could simply look at the resources available and devise a way to add whatever I wanted. Sorry. This should be too simple to ask about.

What you really need is a manual that contains the circuit diagrams, then you would have the information you need.

[johnf]

I'm still not entirely sure, but try 61 13 0 007 439 (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=CB23&mospid=47495&btnr=61_2156&hg=61&fg=15&hl=3) or ... 440 for 2.5 mm^2.

[flyfishvt]

How many do you need?

[flyfishvt]

I raided a car at the junk yard today and it had a shattered fusebox. I grabbed a big hunk of it.

[Campagnaj]

I raided a car at the junk yard today and it had a shattered fusebox. I grabbed a big hunk of it.

One man's junk is another man's treasure! haha. I would have done the same thing. My work is less than a mile from the junkyards, I go there before work if I have to lol.

[mgoods50]

My headlight range control fuse is in the factory location: fusebox; I used the factory harness n stuff when I installed them.

I also located the fuse for my SPAL fan in the fusebox, but later re-did it to use a circuit breaker. I moved it outside, but right beside the fusebox then.

Keeping fuses in the fusebox just looks better to me, seems more professional-- SOOOO much more work- but I think the results are worth it.

I'm TOTALLY jealous of a junkyard being on the way. I'd never make it to work personally. :)

[johnf]

My headlight range control fuse is in the factory location: fusebox; I used the factory harness n stuff when I installed them....Was that on an E36 or a different project? The stock headlight range adjustment takes power off X196, a comb terminal in the block on the wall above the driver's footwell; X196 gets power from the light switch. I remember the retrofit harness, and the fun of getting it through the firewall and fuse box.

[nannasin28]

What's the problem with putting in an inline fuse to the new circuit you are building.


MAX3232CSE (http://www.hqew.net/buy-components/MAX3232CSE.html)

[mgoods50]

Was that on an E36 or a different project? The stock headlight range adjustment takes power off X196, a comb terminal in the block on the wall above the driver's footwell; X196 gets power from the light switch. I remember the retrofit harness, and the fun of getting it through the firewall and fuse box.

It was on my E36 M3. It's been a long time since I did the retrofit, but I wanted to do it "factory" and all. I'm excessive about ugly wires here and there and have actually removed the dash to clean up things in that car. Also added friction tape here and there etc.
Maybe I remembered wrong- but I thought it included a separate fused connection.

[johnf]

It was on my E36 M3. It's been a long time since I did the [headlight range control] retrofit, ... but I thought it included a separate fused connection.I have the retrofit instructions before me (p/n 01 29 9 786 748 from XII/92 for the 67 16 9 402 052 EBS LWS and 61 12 9 410 629 harness). The retrofit harness has: three plugs, a ground lug and five comb terminal splices, but no fuse contacts or fuse. According to my notes, two wires to the dash control were 15 cm too short(!) which may have been from all the extra wiring in the car.

[mgoods50]

Cool. Good for others & google reference. I did not have to modify the wiring- but I seem to remember there was less available than on the dimmer circuit. I've since moved both switches to my console anyway. I find it a bit more convenient there.

And BTW- way to use brackets properly. The school systems here are garbage and only getting worse. Thanks from an English major. Although it is not evident from all of my posts :)

[JCooper]

I'm confused.

What's the problem with putting in an inline fuse to the new circuit you are building.

I get the overwhelming feeling of, "If you have to ask, ..."

There are several empty slots in the fuse box if you wanted to add a fuse. I have no clue how to tell you to add a fuse, but if I was doing this work I could simply look at the resources available and devise a way to add whatever I wanted. Sorry. This should be too simple to ask about.

What you really need is a manual that contains the circuit diagrams, then you would have the information you need.

STOP.

Im sure you can tell by my sig but im an OEM/clean factory install type of guy. I spent about $500 for a rear power vent kit and had to fabricate an electrical harness from scratch. The place where you need to draw 12v's of switched power is from the power post bolt/stud under the fusebox cover. From there you place a 5amp fuse in between the power post and the switches. I figured id add a fuse to the exact OEM location listed under the fuse box lid for the power vent windows. All I was asking was which connector was needed as I was ordering from the dealer. Got me buddy?