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Thread: Help! Missing Relay in glovebox?

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    e46 325XI, e36 M3

    Help! Missing Relay in glovebox?

    Can anyone help me identify what relay I am missing here. Its the harness next to the cabin air filter.

    ... musta came off when I was cleaning up the wiring and changing the filter

    In other pics I have seen it looks like a blue relay.

    My OEM alarm siren still chirps so not sure if it is the alarm horn... in all manuals and etk it suggests it is


    Last edited by bmwstephen; 06-15-2019 at 10:29 PM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    11/88 E32 750iL+98 E36M3
    https://www.bmwtechinfo.com/etm/data/toc_cd2.pdf
    go to E36 and select the built year of your car. Easiest is you go to section component locations views and/or power distribution chart
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  3. #3
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    ∞FX37,M3a/4,94 332
    The missing relay is for the alarm siren, but it would not stop the alarm from working(lock/unlock doors, flash LED) just no sound. If your alarm does not work at all, check the 15amp fuse, #47 which is located by itself under the headlight switch behind the bolster.


    Screen Shot 2019-06-09 at 12.58.13 PM.pngScreen Shot 2019-06-09 at 12.57.31 PM.png
    [IMG][/IMG]

  4. #4
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    Help! Missing Relay in glovebox?

    Quote Originally Posted by AJLM34A View Post
    The missing relay is for the alarm siren, but it would not stop the alarm from working(lock/unlock doors, flash LED) just no sound. If your alarm does not work at all, check the 15amp fuse, #47 which is located by itself under the headlight switch behind the bolster.


    Screen Shot 2019-06-09 at 12.58.13 PM.pngScreen Shot 2019-06-09 at 12.57.31 PM.png
    When you say bolster what specific area is that (sorry) I was always under the impression that fuse was the 10amp inline fuse connected to the alarm harness

    Also what color relay would be for the horn.
    Last edited by bmwstephen; 06-09-2019 at 01:49 PM.

  5. #5
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    so this is odd. without the relay, my siren still chirps just fine. Does this relay also trigger the horn when it goes off?

    Also thanks and I found fuse 47. it is seriously illusive and deep inside the kick panel area.

  6. #6
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    '98 M3 Alpine White
    Make sure it's just a plain, old 4 wire relay. The pin layout is standard. Grab another relay and compare the pin numbers on the relay to the layout of the pin sockets. Pins 85 and 86 operate the relay. There should be power at the socket that corresponds to pin 30 at the relay. Check with the ignition switch both ON and OFF. This will tell you if the circuit is switched or hot all the time. Pin 87, or the wire that goes to relay pin 87, is what sends power to whatever the relay is supposed to control. That means the same voltage you find coming in to pin 30 would normally be going out pin 87. Use a FUSED jumper to apply the voltage coming out of the pin 30 socket to pin 87 socket and see what operates: horn, siren, lights or whatever. Just don't put the voltage to either pin 85 or 86 or you'll likely fry the driver for that relay. A relay in a circuit is an outstanding diagnostic opportunity. All of the wiring for that component terminates in that one square inch of relay space. Makes it easy.
    Last edited by tjm3; 06-13-2019 at 08:18 PM.
    See ya later,

    tony
    '98 M3, '92 Dinan3, '05 R1100S BCR, '07 R1200S, Aprilia T

  7. #7
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    ∞FX37,M3a/4,94 332
    I changed my cabin filter and took out my relay. My alarm siren would not chirp with it removed.

    Screen Shot 2019-06-14 at 4.08.00 PM.jpg
    [IMG][/IMG]

  8. #8
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    So even without a relay my siren works. Including panic.

    Was this relay also supposed to connect the horn to ring with the siren?

    I am reluctant on plugging a relay in case it fries something else.

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