what is it ?

Brian H

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I think Brian has hit the nail on the head the aux fan has two speeds therefore needs three wires.
 

vintage42

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... looks like an accessary cord for a block heater... Can you... check the BMW site to find out what optional equipment it came from the factory in the USA with...
The owner could enter the last 7 digits of the VIN into this decoder site, to see all the equipment and options with which his car was built. That might show a block heater or whatever else...
http://www.bmwarchiv.de/vin/bmw-vin-decoder.html
 

vintage42

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I think Brian has hit the nail on the head the aux fan has two speeds therefore needs three wires.
The OP's sig says he has a 2.0. Is that a 6 or a 4? My M44 4-cylinder only has one fan, and it's electrical behind the radiator. I do think it is 2-speed, low for AC and below a certain temp, and then high for high temp. I can't see its harness or plug, but I would not think it has a plug down as low as the fog light.
If the OP has a 6, with a mechanical fan plus and electrical aux fan, and if it is not connected, I think he would have noticed a cooling problem under certain conditions.
 

Romeo

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Thanks guys, it's definitely a 2.0 so has two fans I guess.
Will have a go at this decoder...
 

t-tony

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Mine is a 2000 year 2.0 auto. will check mine when I can Romeo.
 

vintage42

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Thanks guys, it's definitely a 2.0 so has two fans I guess...
It leaves this Yank to guess, too, or use Wiki. I assume that all 4-cyls have one electric fan, and all 6-cyls have a mechanical plus aux electrical fan, so I guess a 2.0 with two fans must be a 6-cyl.
It amazes me that BMW replaced a 1.9 4-cyl with a 6-cyl that is essentially the same size. To what purpose?
 

Romeo

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10 bhp more and a nicer exhaust sound ! :cool:
 

t-tony

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It sounds so much better, but I doubt that's the reason. Probably as simple as public "demand"?. I can say the 6 cyl does have a nice tone compared to,say, a 4 cyl Merc SLK. Which I was looking at before a work mate said " Have you thought about a Z3 ? ";)
 

t-tony

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Probably more like a fuel/m.p.g issue. Back then it wasn't such a big issue in the US as it was in the UK and Europe, but it sure is now. Ads on TV now advocating how many miles per gallon " Highway " I can't think of any other reason to be honest.
 

oldcarman

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In my view a 6 cyl engine tuned properly with a split exhaust manifold sounds better than most V8s. That includes worldwide motors. Put dual exhaust on and listen to the symphony. JIM
 

Romeo

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In theory more than the sounds the main advantage with a 6 cyl is how sweet they run and the extra torque compared to a 4 pot.
Basically the more cylinders the sweeter they run... Try a v12 !
 

oldcarman

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Hi Romeo, after many month of agonizing over this three pin plug I found one on eBay and it apparently fits most three series vehicles. It is part number 6113137841 and marked on the part is 1 378 412 and is called a plug housing. It can be seen on BMW diagram 00007672 item #7. It's used as a 90* connector for rad sensor/ AC fan switch. Now I can sleep again, this has been a challenge . lol. JIM
 

Barry Gadd

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I think this plug fits an electric fan fitted to a shroud which attaches to the inside of the radiator. Normal UK M44 Z3's have a viscous clutch fan and no electric fan (unless you have aircon but then this fan is on the front of the rad)
316 / 318 cars have a similar looking shroud which is fitted with this electric fan and I'm thinking of buying one and fitting it to my Z3.(Isn't this the Fan Out mod??)
Hope this helps
 

Barry Gadd

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Jim. I think we are singing from the same hymn sheet..... (Your explanation is much more eloquent than mine!!)
 

vintage42

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... Normal UK M44 Z3's have a viscous clutch fan and no electric fan (unless you have aircon but then this fan is on the front of the rad)...
That number for the plug, 61364782, does not have enough digits to be a part number. It must be incomplete.
I have aircon and the front of the rad is covered by the condenser, leaving no room for a fan. My fan is on the back of the rad.
 

oldcarman

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Hi Vintage42, if you go back to my post you'll see the # is 61131378410. Romeo started this thread back on May 14 and no one was able to find an explanation or find out it's use. These things drive me crazy so glad to finally have found it's use.
Barry, no one wants or needs to hear me sing, believe me!! How's your project coming along? Figured out that head problem? JIM
 
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zedonist

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That part number is used on a lot of BMW's but only one variant of the Z3, and it is the plug for the suction fan on the air conditioning of the M44.
 

oldcarman

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That part number is used on a lot of BMW's but only one variant of the Z3, and it is the plug for the suction fan on the air conditioning of the M44.
Where the hell were you in May when this came about. I know it is used on a lot of BMW's now I know where and why on the Z3. Things like this stick in my eye until I can get a definitive answer. Lol JIM
 
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