what is it ?

Romeo

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2014
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18
Location
UK
Model of Z
Z3 2.0
Hi,
I removed the front bumper the other day and found this 3 pin plug attached to the fog light plus... see pics.
photo 3.JPG
photo 2.JPG
photo 1.JPG

Any idea what it could be ?
Cheers,
 

Aceman

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British Zeds
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Wakefield
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///M Roadster
I maybe wrong but could it be for the outside temperature sensor. Has your zed got an OBC if not and just a clock then I suspect this connector would be for the temp sensor. I have looked on realoem but can't find the relevant picture with the sensor so cannot confirm it.
 

Romeo

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2014
Points
18
Location
UK
Model of Z
Z3 2.0
Thanks Aceman,
That would make sense as it is wired to 3 thick cables.
Haven't got a OBC just a clock so that's probably why it isn't connected.
 

vintage42

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American Zeds
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Dec 24, 2013
Points
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... could it be for the outside temperature sensor. Has your zed got an OBC...
My 1997 (10/96) M44 zed has an OBC, and the temperature sensor is a probe mounted inboard of the driver fog light, its tip poking into a hole in the black plastic plate. It only has two wires.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-BMW-E30-E31-E32-E34-E36-Z3-Outdoor-Temperature-Sensor-/121337247040?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make:BMW&hash=item1c40437540&vxp=mtr

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/65818350779/ES2608054/
 

Romeo

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Location
UK
Model of Z
Z3 2.0
No worries, I should have said this plug was tied to the fog light cable so no confusion.
Thanks for the link will check it out.
 

oldcarman

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Hi Romeo, to me it looks like the end of a block heater plug. Where does it go from where it was attached? That end would plug into an element on the engine block side and would lead to an outlet plug to your home or power source. A requirement in northern areas where temps drop pretty low. JIM
 

oldcarman

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Hey Romeo, just went through all the electrical schematics in my manual and can't see a three female plug anywhere. What colour wires are they? You said previously they were heavy wires which would lead me to believe they are made to carry household current not necessarily 12v. Where can you trace them too? Is it in a wire bundle or separate from the others in the loom. This has me scrambling trying to figure it out. JIM
 

Romeo

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Location
UK
Model of Z
Z3 2.0
Yes this 3 way plug is part of a wire bundle and tied up with the fog light and side marker plugs... Weird. The cable are blue I think.
 

oldcarman

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Hi Romeo, thanks for the info. Could your car originally been purchased for a cold climate? If you use the length of the wire/plug as a gauge is there somewhere on the engine block or anywhere there's a male plug it would fit into? Not sure if BMW pre wired block heater plugs but considering the number of accessary wiring they did pre wire wouldn't surprise me.. The search continues!! JIM
 

vintage42

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For a block heater plug, it seems rather inaccessible behind the fog light. Usually those are in the engine compartment accessed by raising the bonnet.
 

Romeo

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Feb 15, 2014
Points
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Location
UK
Model of Z
Z3 2.0
Thanks Jim, the plug is not located in engine compartment and a bit of a squeeze to stretch it anywhere near the engine.
As it is inside the bumper I have a funny feeling it could be for an ext temp sensor or OBC like suggested by Aceman.
Cheers
 

Brian H

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Is your emission control air pump plugged in? Round cylindrical item located behind your drivers headlight in your last picture.

 
Last edited:

vintage42

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And the air temp sensor only has two little wires.
What could require three thick wires?
Did he ever find the other end of the harness?
 

Brian4

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The only thing I can think of is the supply to the Air con radiator fan but that is on the offside and on mine hasn't got an angled plug. The wires are brown, black and blue, blue

There does seem to be a connector to the base of the auxiliary radiator on some of the wiring diagrams. As Romeo's car doesn't have air con I would guess that is what the plug is for and why it was taped up out of the way.There are loads of unused connectors about the cars for options not fitted or for different countries requirements and all the looms are the same.
 

Romeo

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UK
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The air pump is plugged but has only two pin so it can't be that.
I guess it has to be for something that is not in use then so no problem !
 

oldcarman

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As I've said before, looks like an accessary cord for a block heater. I'm heading to my shop shortly, I'll see if I can find one and try to post a pic. Can you trace the origins of the first purchaser or check the BMW site to find out what optional equipment it came from the factory in the USA with. They may have had to sub a NA harness into the car if there was a shortage. I've gone through my manual schematics and can't find a three pronged connector anywhere in the car. But, won't stop till you do. JIM
 
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