Electrical issues - my weakness

Mus Musculus

Zorg Guru (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Nov 27, 2022
Points
114
Location
Ramsey, Huntingdonshire
Model of Z
1.9 M44
So, like always I am stuck with some electrical stuff…

I have taken the centre console out, so that I could fit a new USB C adapter. It's supposed to wire easily to the cigarette lighter connection, but my car was specced with the option to delete the same. I naively assumed the wiring would still be there, but I don't seem to be able to find it.

Anyone has photos of what the wiring looks like? I just seem to have a little bulb wired to illuminate what the cigarette lighter would be.

Note: I've followed some instructions to remove the console and what cables to connect to, but it seems they are not the same for my car — 1998 1.9.
 

colb

Zorg Guru (V)
British Zeds
Joined
Nov 25, 2012
Points
178
Location
Newport, South Wales,UK
Model of Z
Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.5 (2003)
They hide non used wires very well, check its not tucked under the carpet out of sight.
 

Dre0415

Dedicated Member
American Zeds
Joined
Mar 6, 2022
Points
31
Location
Michigan
Model of Z
E36 Z3 2.8I Manual
Depending on what your trying to plug in to that usb c I'd be careful. Unfortunately the cigarette lighter isn't ignition switched so if you leave something plugged into that wiring you could kill the battery. Personally if it was me I'd just use a 10$ test light to find some wires that are 12v ignition switched and then wire it to that. They do make add a fuses that make it very simple to do without making it super permanent and easy to remove. Unfortunately for you the z3s don't have fuse box inside the car like all the newer models so it's alot harder to do that.
 

t-tony

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
#ZedShed
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Points
226
Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
I tapped into the ignition fed live for the radio in my Z3 for a dash cam.

Tony.
 
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