Electrical Problems on Z3

[Wazz72]

Hi,
Ive got some electrical issues on my 2000 1.9 Z3.

The console lights are out, I have changed the rheostat for one that I know works, and checked the fuses in the engine bay, but still nothing. All of the console lights are out, (Instrument cluster and center console)

Also the drivers side brake and side lights don't seem to be working, just the passengers, but if I move the indicator stalk to the drivers side whilst parked they both light up, any ideas?

I did notice that the previous owner had replaced the stereo and had done some creative wiring with terminal blocks, there are 4 wires that are not connected coming from the loom, but I doubt they are anything to do with the console. I'll take some pic's in the morning.

Any help would be greatly appreciated..

Warren.

 

[Stevo7682]

I have the wiring diagrams in the house out just now home 45 mins or so have a look see if anything jumps out
Stephen.

 

[Pingu]

http://www.porterbility.co.uk/Files/PDF/e36z3_00.pdf
or
http://www.porterbility.co.uk/Files/PDF/e36z3_01.pdf

 

[Wazz72]

I have the wiring diagrams in the house out just now home 45 mins or so have a look see if anything jumps out
Stephen.

Thanks..

 

[Wazz72]

http://www.porterbility.co.uk/Files/PDF/e36z3_00.pdf
or
http://www.porterbility.co.uk/Files/PDF/e36z3_01.pdf

Thanks, I also have something ;like these, I'll have a look in the morning as I need to sort it out..

 

[Wazz72]

Just replaced all the fuses, pulled out the instrument cluster and checked the bulbs, cant see what is causing the lights to be out on both the center console and the instrument cluster. I checked the gearstick, and its not illuminated, and there are no wires that could have been shorted there. I did notice 4 unused wires (ones that had been cut) on the car side of the stereo. Anyone else had this issue, I could really do with some help...

 

[t-tony]

Are you able to photograph the unused and cut wires? That may help someone compare, I can't really help with that being a Z4 owner.

Tony.

 

[peteslag]

It does sound like a short of some sort. If you think botched wiring could be the cause, the simplest way to check is stick your hand into the nest of wires and get wiggling. Keep an eye on the consul lighting whilst you do it, if it flickers at least you will know roughly where your fault is.

 

[Brian H]

Hi,
Ive got some electrical issues on my 2000 1.9 Z3.

The console lights are out, I have changed the rheostat for one that I know works, and checked the fuses in the engine bay, but still nothing. All of the console lights are out, (Instrument cluster and center console)

Also the drivers side brake and side lights don't seem to be working, just the passengers, but if I move the indicator stalk to the drivers side whilst parked they both light up, any ideas?

I did notice that the previous owner had replaced the stereo and had done some creative wiring with terminal blocks, there are 4 wires that are not connected coming from the loom, but I doubt they are anything to do with the console. I'll take some pic's in the morning.

Any help would be greatly appreciated..

Warren.

I suspect you have 2 issues here, the dash lights are not fused, you have replaced the rheostat so that should rule that out, check the botched wiring behind the stereo to see that the wire that controls the illumination is not shorted.

The second issue at the rear of the car could be the loom of doom! Check the small loom that feed the boot lid, these are known to break over time and cause all sorts of mischief.

 

[Perfectjake]

The cluster and centre console lights issue could be caused by the resistance wire in the dimmer knob. Might be worth taking that off and seeing if the resistance wire is knackered

Guide for repair: http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=41684


EDIT: Just read you replaced the rheostat....my bad

 

[Wazz72]

I suspect you have 2 issues here, the dash lights are not fused, you have replaced the rheostat so that should rule that out, check the botched wiring behind the stereo to see that the wire that controls the illumination is not shorted.

The second issue at the rear of the car could be the loom of doom! Check the small loom that feed the boot lid, these are known to break over time and cause all sorts of mischief.

I dont suppose you would have a list of the wires on th eloom, and what they do, to help me identify the one im after?

 

[Brian H]

I dont suppose you would have a list of the wires on th eloom, and what they do, to help me identify the one im after?

The radio illumination wire is detailed below.

 

[Wazz72]

The radio illumination wire is detailed below.

Thanks Brian, the grey/red is one of the chopped wires, thats not connected to anything, I cant see it effecting the console and dash cluster lighting though, can you? Is there a wire coming into the dash cluster loom that powers the lights on the cluster, i would have thought it was one of the ones feeding the rheostat, if I put a meter on the back of the rheostat i should get a reading shouldnt I?

 

[Brian H]

if I put a meter on the back of the rheostat i should get a reading shouldnt I?

Yes you should, the rheostat is the weak link in the circuit, the dash lights are not fused independently and therefore blows the rheostat in the event of a short in the lighting circuit.

The cage on the back of the light comes off, you can see below the link put in place to bridge out the rheostat, these are the pins you are looking for (not my soldering BTW)

 

[Wazz72]

I tried this on the old one, but it made no difference, they were still off. If i replace the new one with the old one, cut the wire then test for a voltage, it should tell me if there is power going to the lights shouldn't it. Also if I take a live feed (from the cigarette socket) and connect one of the wires the dash should light shouldn't it, unless there is a grounding problem?

 

[Brian H]

I tried this on the old one, but it made no difference, they were still off. If i replace the new one with the old one, cut the wire then test for a voltage, it should tell me if there is power going to the lights shouldn't it. Also if I take a live feed (from the cigarette socket) and connect one of the wires the dash should light shouldn't it, unless there is a grounding problem?

If you tried this on the old one and nothing lit up then you have a supply problem, As you suggest you try and put a temp supply on the output wire of the light switch, this should light up the dash etc. Take care to put a fuse in line though just in case.

 

[Wazz72]

If you tried this on the old one and nothing lit up then you have a supply problem, As you suggest you try and put a temp supply on the output wire of the light switch, this should light up the dash etc. Take care to put a fuse in line though just in case.

Yup, the lights all work off the switch, but the console doesn't light up.. Does the supply come from anywhere near the radio supply, as I said before there had been some nasty rewiring done there, I also noticed blue LED lights on the foot wells, which I'm sure arnt factory fitted, these come on when you open the door, and go out when you turn the key in the ignition. (as you cab see on the pic at the top, hes used household electrical connector strips, which i will swap out for jelly clips.

 

[t-tony]

I would get hold of a "Power Probe" where you can power up any wire to see if your console lights come on, these have a cut out which works immediately if you power the wrong source, protecting against any damage.Something like this will do the job easily. You connect the long leads to the cars battery then when you contact an item with the end of the probe and press the button you give a 12v feed.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sealey-P...306455&hash=item2c9110306e:g:diEAAOSw8H1aaLiS

Tony.

 

[Brian H]

Fuse 37 - 10amp is the feed, this also feeds the boot lights which would tie in to my theory about the loom going to the boot, have you checked fuse 37?

 

[Wazz72]

Brian H, Your a star, Ive just checked fuse 37 and it was blown, changed it and the dash lights are all working now.. I'll check the tail lights in the morning. I don't suppose you know if the OBD computer is plug and play if you have the stalk and the sensor.. Person selling one said they were, but i wasn't sure.

Thanks again for all your help mate, you've saved my hair, which ive been pulling out for days