Forrest 35 Report post Posted February 20, 2010 So noticed today for the first time in ages with my car immobile, I turned the lights on with the key in the ignition and the number plate warning light came on, on my check panel. Checked fuses = fine Checked bulbs = fine Checked power at electrical connectors to lights = no power Checked earths inside boot and on rear seat stay = fine + cleaned up to be sure with sandpaper Checked power at plug for the rear lights check relay (beside the radio ariel on top of LHS of boot beside shock mount at the points for the associated colors for power for each number plate light (grey + grey/black) according to the wiring diagram = no power What have I missed? I know it is quite hard to analyse electrical problems without actually being there, just wondered if someone can connect the dots and read the diagram better than I can. Here is the wiring diagram I am using, everything else works fine, aside from the number plate lights. http://www.armchair.mb.ca/~dave/BMW/e30/e30_85.pdf I know it will end up being something stupid, just thought I would put that out there. Cheers, Nathan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JFry 1 Report post Posted February 20, 2010 I'd check that the wires are connected to the plugs properly, might have come loose over time. Only thing I can think of. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forrest 35 Report post Posted February 20, 2010 ^ Yeah I am going to replace all the plugs. Might swap the relay too and see if it fixes it. Really can't see what else could go wrong really Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pureboiracer 0 Report post Posted February 20, 2010 when the ign is on and your lights switched on and the bulb is in and everything plugged up put a multimeter from the neg terminal on the light socket to a part of the body, like a bolt that you know is earthed, if you have it on volts setting you should get a reading of les than 0.5v. that will make sure it is earthing ok. put multimeter between pos terminal and the same bolt u just tested from and hopefully that will read battery voltage +- 0.5v. If your earth is ok then follow the wires back to the nearest plug, or where they join to the other lights to get power or whatever, check at any point you can along the pos wire for power, go from on the wire to ground and check for battery voltage with multimeter, keep following it back until you find battery voltage, at the point that u find voltage is the area of you problem. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forrest 35 Report post Posted February 20, 2010 ^ Cheers Oli, I will sort out a multimeter to borrow Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pureboiracer 0 Report post Posted February 20, 2010 if you havent fixed it by weekend when im back from taupo let me know. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forrest 35 Report post Posted February 20, 2010 ^ Yup sweet I am in no rush. Am free Monday + Wed night Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pureboiracer 0 Report post Posted February 20, 2010 ^ Yup sweet I am in no rush. Am free Monday + Wed night i dont get back from taupo until friday so cant do until next weekend. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forrest 35 Report post Posted February 20, 2010 ^ Okay sweet see how we go Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites