[SOLVED] BMW Z3 Petrol Cap Locking Solenoid Connector

[Mint]

Hi all, while checking my spare tyre yesterday (which BTW amazingly was still inflated to 50psi even though I haven't touched it in nearly 3 years of ownership and with just a bit of surface rust) I came across this connector under the RHS storage compartment you have to remove to get the spare out. Anybody know where it connects to or what it does? It may be surplus to requirements because as far as I know everything works as it should.

Thanks...

 

[Cooper]

maybe. it can connect to actuator controlling the petrol cap lock [when central locking system activates] or I think it may be a spare wire that goes from the stereo amplifier. I also have this and pulled the car apart looking for where it might go. Mine comes from the amp wiring loom but the amp works fine. I will watch this space.......

 

[GazHyde]

Just been out on the drive and had a look at mine. I have a similar cable which is plugged in to the rear light cluster area. What does it say on your label?

 

[Cooper]

dont know sorry, at work, but looks like the cable going to the petrol cap locking actuator! test it, open your pertrol cap area, lock the car, you should see a metal rod come out at about 9 O'clock in the well. if it doesnt come out it is disable for some reason. look for the other end in the well [it can only reach so far] so easy to find. connect and re-test. I just did all of that yesterday! hehe.

 

[Mint]

This is what I love about forums, you get answers almost instantly but sorry for my late reply post

With the info from Gary and Cooper it's sorted. It is the feed for the petrol cap locking solenoid. It was disconnected from the loom where the rear offside light cluster connects to the main loom. Cooper you're on the right track but your photo put me on to it Gaz. In your photo you can see the small plug with the two wires connected to a socket on the loom. Went to have a look at mine, removed the light cover and eased back the carpet and hey presto there was the socket. Connected it up and it all works fine. I wonder why it was disconnected though...

Thanks Guys

 

[Brian4]

According to the part number on Gaz's it is the wiring harness for the fuel filler cap.

02Wiring set, filler cap104/199961108385991$18.08

 

[GazHyde]

Me and @Cooper make a great double act

I've changed the thread title to make sense now we know what it is!

According to the part number on Gaz's it is the wiring harness for the fuel filler cap.

02Wiring set, filler cap104/199961108385991$18.08

Now that was clever @Brian4 - didn't even occur to me to read the label...

 

[t-tony]

I thought that when I looked at this thread last week there were references to the solenoid and locking pin for the fuel cap? I checked mine today and it feels like the locking pin/plunger is missing on my car. I thought Mike(hardtop) posted some parts schematics showing the related parts? If anyone can point me in the right direction I would appreciate it. Thanks Tony. p.s. I think the original thread was " What's This" but maybe I was out in the sun too long!

 

[Mint]

Tony, you are correct, when I posted the thread last week I titled it 'What's this' However when we discovered what it was Gaz renamed the thread. I'll take a couple of photos later showing where the solenoid plunger is. Cheers for now, Dave

 

[GazHyde]

I thought that when I looked at this thread last week there were references to the solenoid and locking pin for the fuel cap? I checked mine today and it feels like the locking pin/plunger is missing on my car. I thought Mike(hardtop) posted some parts schematics showing the related parts? If anyone can point me in the right direction I would appreciate it. Thanks Tony. p.s. I think the original thread was " What's This" but maybe I was out in the sun too long!

I think this is the thread you mean http://zroadster.org/threads/how-to-remove-petrol-from-the-tank.4780/#post-54955

Mike posted the schematic for a 2.2 fuel tank. Might be worth checking it the same on BMWfans.info for your specific model!

 

[Mint]

Here you go Tony, it's at about the 10 o clock position.
1st pic is unlocked, 2nd locked.

Cheers, Dave

 

[Cooper]

Look in the boot you may see a green handle thingy near the top of the trim in the quarter panel. that is the emergency release for the locking actuator just in case the locking pin isn't retracted. I suspect that if you do not have that emergency release then you will not have the auto locking pin either.

 

[Pop-Rivet]

Strange to relate on this older post that my Z3 that I only collected last week was the same?
I only noticed it when I by chance tested the flap after locking the car only to find it would open.
Turns out to be the same as above having been disconnected from the harness...I reconnected it and it all works fine, I do not think the previous owner of 5 yrs even noticed it not locking.

The only thing I can think is that he purchased it from a dealership and I wonder could it be for some safety reason that when a car is locked in a dealership the caps still have to open in case of a Fire Brigade call to dealership?

If not its very strange as it now works fine and yet more than one Zed owner has reported the same thing?