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Thread: Interesting Current Draw Problem

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
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    Kuna, Idaho
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    Interesting Current Draw Problem

    Car: 1990 750i DC02833 01/17/1990 L801

    It appears that the right rear microswitch inside the door striker is drawing more when the door is closed then when the door is open after going to sleep. A couple of months back, I ran current draw-down tests on the car and discovered this interesting current draw. So I have questions (What BMW owner doesn't?).

    Is the microswitch available seperately? There appears to be 4 different switches listed in the ETK, but no identification as to which is which other then right/left and not real sure they are even the door switches.

    If it is possible to replace the microswitch only, is it just a case of removing the striker, then pulling enough slack in the wires to unplug it at some point, remove and replace the switch and finally to reinstall the striker. Could it be that simple?

    Thank you to all
    Mike Drives:
    BMW's
    E24 - 635CSiA - (1) 1985 (US)
    E24 - 635CSi - (1) 1985 (EC)
    E31 - 850iA - (1) 1991 (Black)
    E31 - 850iA - (1) 1991 (Calypso Red)

    E32 - 740iA - (1) 1994
    E32 - 750iA - (1) 1990 (Not an "L") (EC German National)
    E32 - 735iL - (2) 1990
    E32 - 750iL - (1) 1990

    E38 - 740iLA - (2) (1) 1997 & (1) 1998
    E38 - 750iLA - (1) 1998
    E38 - 740iA - (1) 2000 "Short Sport"
    E39 - 528iA - (2) - 2000 & (1) 1997
    Also:
    2015 Ram 3500 Dually, Cumins 6.7, Std.Cab. Long box 4x4 (To haul all this junk when necessary)
    2014 Dodge Dart Rallye (Daily Driver)
    2007 Mercedes Benz CL600 (Brabus SV12S)
    Mercedes Benz SL's - (1) (2002) & (1) 1999 500 - (1) 1999 600
    1967 Buick Riviera (2)

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Japan
    Posts
    54,655
    My Cars
    11/88 E32 750iL+98 E36M3
    Try to find out the part number on the microswitch in question, Johan has the write up with a door lock microswitch and it shows a p/n, so all should have one and if they have one, they are available as sinple part
    http://bmwe32.masscom.net/johan/door...croswitch.html
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    Location
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    Posts
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    Too Many Cars (NOT!)
    Erich;

    It's the switch in the striker that controls the lights (I think). Sorry I wasn't more specific. I believe it may be (6131 1 384 858), but I'm not sure.

    Thanks
    Mike Drives:
    BMW's
    E24 - 635CSiA - (1) 1985 (US)
    E24 - 635CSi - (1) 1985 (EC)
    E31 - 850iA - (1) 1991 (Black)
    E31 - 850iA - (1) 1991 (Calypso Red)

    E32 - 740iA - (1) 1994
    E32 - 750iA - (1) 1990 (Not an "L") (EC German National)
    E32 - 735iL - (2) 1990
    E32 - 750iL - (1) 1990

    E38 - 740iLA - (2) (1) 1997 & (1) 1998
    E38 - 750iLA - (1) 1998
    E38 - 740iA - (1) 2000 "Short Sport"
    E39 - 528iA - (2) - 2000 & (1) 1997
    Also:
    2015 Ram 3500 Dually, Cumins 6.7, Std.Cab. Long box 4x4 (To haul all this junk when necessary)
    2014 Dodge Dart Rallye (Daily Driver)
    2007 Mercedes Benz CL600 (Brabus SV12S)
    Mercedes Benz SL's - (1) (2002) & (1) 1999 500 - (1) 1999 600
    1967 Buick Riviera (2)

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Japan
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    My Cars
    11/88 E32 750iL+98 E36M3
    that looks like this 61311384858 striker plate switch https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...h/61311384858/
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Brantford ON Canada
    Posts
    1,630
    My Cars
    735iL - 1989
    Hi masbury,

    Please see Page 6330-00 and 01 of the ETM
    http://www.armchair.mb.ca/%7Edave/BMW/e32/e32_90.pdf

    See that S15 Right Rear Door Jamb and S16 Left Rear Door Jamb switches are wired in parallel to pin 3 of X255 of the A1 General Module, "GM".

    These switches do not draw any power, they only inform the GM whether the doors are open or closed.

    What leads you to conclude "the right rear microswitch inside the door striker is drawing more when the door is closed then when the door is open after going to sleep." ?

  6. #6
    Join Date
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    Location
    Kuna, Idaho
    Posts
    736
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    Too Many Cars (NOT!)
    E32FAN;

    When I was testing for current draw, I left the right rear door open, after car went to sleep, I pushed on the switch and the meter would change current readings as I pushed and released the switch. When the switch was out (as if the door was open) the draw was less than when the switch was pushed. It was kinda weird. Someplace in the back of my head, I vaguely remember reading something about E32 door switches causing electrical draw, but can't for the life of me remember where I read it, which is what made me check all of them in the first place.

    If the door switches act only as a trigger for the GM, then it would appear I have a different problem or is it working correctly though backwards? The interior lights did not go on when I released the switch (ignition off, key out).

    Giving me a headache.
    Mike Drives:
    BMW's
    E24 - 635CSiA - (1) 1985 (US)
    E24 - 635CSi - (1) 1985 (EC)
    E31 - 850iA - (1) 1991 (Black)
    E31 - 850iA - (1) 1991 (Calypso Red)

    E32 - 740iA - (1) 1994
    E32 - 750iA - (1) 1990 (Not an "L") (EC German National)
    E32 - 735iL - (2) 1990
    E32 - 750iL - (1) 1990

    E38 - 740iLA - (2) (1) 1997 & (1) 1998
    E38 - 750iLA - (1) 1998
    E38 - 740iA - (1) 2000 "Short Sport"
    E39 - 528iA - (2) - 2000 & (1) 1997
    Also:
    2015 Ram 3500 Dually, Cumins 6.7, Std.Cab. Long box 4x4 (To haul all this junk when necessary)
    2014 Dodge Dart Rallye (Daily Driver)
    2007 Mercedes Benz CL600 (Brabus SV12S)
    Mercedes Benz SL's - (1) (2002) & (1) 1999 500 - (1) 1999 600
    1967 Buick Riviera (2)

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Brantford ON Canada
    Posts
    1,630
    My Cars
    735iL - 1989
    Quote Originally Posted by masbury View Post
    E32FAN;

    When I was testing for current draw, I left the right rear door open, after car went to sleep, I pushed on the switch and the meter would change current readings as I pushed and released the switch. When the switch was out (as if the door was open) the draw was less than when the switch was pushed. It was kinda weird. Someplace in the back of my head, I vaguely remember reading something about E32 door switches causing electrical draw, but can't for the life of me remember where I read it, which is what made me check all of them in the first place.

    If the door switches act only as a trigger for the GM, then it would appear I have a different problem or is it working correctly though backwards? The interior lights did not go on when I released the switch (ignition off, key out).

    Giving me a headache.
    masbury:

    Do your interior lights come on with the left dome light switch? Press rear for always on, centre for off, press front for automatic light control (20 sec delay).

    My 1992 735iL behaves this way, with an ammeter connected in series with the battery GND wire, and interior lights off:

    Rear door open: 210 ma
    Close rear door: 200 ma
    After 20 seconds: 25 ma
    Last edited by E32FAN; 02-24-2018 at 02:46 PM.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Kuna, Idaho
    Posts
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    My Cars
    Too Many Cars (NOT!)
    I finally had the time to do a current draw test. I checked the switch and operation of the lights and they work correctly. These are the readings on my meter.

    Left Pic - Lights OFF- door CLOSED - I think this reads 200ma, but I could be wrong.
    20180326_144216.jpg20180326_144609.jpg
    Right Pic - Lights OFF- door OPEN- and this one 1900ma, again, I could be wrong.

    Don't know what's happening with this. I hope it means I don't have a huge current draw. What I do know for sure is, the battery tender can't Keep the battery charged. It takes about 2 weeks before it gets down to 12.1vdc and I have to put it on a real charger.

    Thanks
    Last edited by masbury; 03-26-2018 at 09:39 PM.
    Mike Drives:
    BMW's
    E24 - 635CSiA - (1) 1985 (US)
    E24 - 635CSi - (1) 1985 (EC)
    E31 - 850iA - (1) 1991 (Black)
    E31 - 850iA - (1) 1991 (Calypso Red)

    E32 - 740iA - (1) 1994
    E32 - 750iA - (1) 1990 (Not an "L") (EC German National)
    E32 - 735iL - (2) 1990
    E32 - 750iL - (1) 1990

    E38 - 740iLA - (2) (1) 1997 & (1) 1998
    E38 - 750iLA - (1) 1998
    E38 - 740iA - (1) 2000 "Short Sport"
    E39 - 528iA - (2) - 2000 & (1) 1997
    Also:
    2015 Ram 3500 Dually, Cumins 6.7, Std.Cab. Long box 4x4 (To haul all this junk when necessary)
    2014 Dodge Dart Rallye (Daily Driver)
    2007 Mercedes Benz CL600 (Brabus SV12S)
    Mercedes Benz SL's - (1) (2002) & (1) 1999 500 - (1) 1999 600
    1967 Buick Riviera (2)

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