Project E28 from the Dirty South

[paul@brawlinpictures]

Thanks dude.

I just picked up a volt meter at the parts store so now I gotta figure out how to use it

Hopefully I can track this bugger down pretty quickly

[CSBolger]

Just looked through it - I didn't realize it was you haha!

If you're not getting any power at all to the inside of the car, it sounds like the main power from the fuse box. I'd look to see if that got pinched while pulling the column (should be a big red wire) other than that there should be a couple of big green wires, they're also main constant power. Check where all of those wires terminate and make sure none are pinched or cut.

It very well may be a fluke and actually be a loose connection under the fuse box, but that doesn't sound likely at all. It has to be something that supplies constant power under the dash. Good luck.

[paul@brawlinpictures]

Did the new steering column come with an ignition?

If so, match up the wire colors, and report back with what's left over.

I didn't install an new steering column. I took the column out and got rid of the lock mechanism and put it all back together.

While I was taking everything out, I did flick on the power switch and nothing happened. I assumed it was because I had so many different things unplugged. But then after I reconnected everything and double checked, there's still now power. Like I keep saying, the interior lights don't even come on and I never touched any of those wires or connections!

I tried jumping the car off with my dad's Mercedes and still there was no power anywhere.
Did you see my thread on mye28? I have some more pictures and diagrams

-Paul

[CSBolger]

Did the new steering column come with an ignition?

If so, match up the wire colors, and report back with what's left over.

[paul@brawlinpictures]

I just looked under the dash and I never touched a blk/yel wire

This is just the damnedest thing. It's so frustrating not being able to trace it anywhere. I dont have a multimeter so I cant read if anythings getting power. I would blame my own wiring (even though I made sure everything had solid connections and tried to go overkill so I wouldn't have to worry about it later) BUT the interior lights won't even come on.

It's like there's a bad main ground but I don't see anything

I'm stressed out cause it's obviously my DD and I need to be focused on homework instead of a 25 year old german tank /rant

-Paul

[CSBolger]

The only thing you removed from that circuit was the ignition switch wiring - check there. I'd be willing to bet it's the crank signal wire (black/yellow).

[paul@brawlinpictures]

Alright guys, I'm frustrated...

I'm going to copy what I posted on mye28.com to see if any of y'all know what might be going on here...


I've spent the past couple days rewiring all of that to a new push button and a toggle switch for all power on. It started right up and looks a lot cleaner now. I drove it to my girlfriends house about 10 miles away and on the way home it just died at intersection. After pushing it into a parking lot and popping the hood, I noticed the alternator was wobbling and the lower bolt was about halfway out. With some voodoo magic, it fired right up and I drove it home. When I was almost to my house, doing some low speed turns navigating through the neighborhood, the steering wheel kept "grabbing" and trying to lock. I would have to brake hard to not drive through my neighbors' yards and yank the wheel back to unlock it.

So I spent all day fixing the alternator and pulling out the entire steering column. The alternator had a sheered bolt so it was replaced and everything under the hood is back to normal.


The steering column was the biggest PITA ever. Finally got the ignition lock ground down to not interfere with the steering column anymore.



(note the push button to the left of the headunit and the tiny power switch to the right of the light switches)

SO....
I get everything buttoned up and good to go, right?

I flick the power switch and nothing.
I try the interior lights and they don't turn on.
I checked the battery and alternator wires to see if anything had been knocked off earlier but it looks fine.
I even tried jumping the battery and STILL no power anywhere.

What do I need to check? I don't have a Bentley manual
I've been searching through different threads to try to find something similar but nothing comes up. I'm extremely unfamiliar with the e28s wiring system and my Haynes manual is awful about wiring schematics.

Thanks for the help, everyone!

-Paul

[paul@brawlinpictures]

the time approaches

[UnitedWeStance...]

Awesome find! Looking forward to more!

[itsbrokeagain]

lookin good...bout time we had another E28 join the crew!

[paul@brawlinpictures]

What a week...

I started school for photography and have been waiting and fighting for my loans to come in for all my new camera gear. So the Bimmer got put on the back burner for the past couple weeks.

I gave her a bath today to get rid of the stupid amount of pollen we've gotten here in Atlanta



Then I decided to tackle my HID install. I had picked up a set of e34 projectors locally and had to trim them to fit. In the middle of this, the first lens slipped out of my greasy mechanics gloves and fell to the concrete and shattered. It was like icing on the cake after everything else going on. Nevermind, I decided to put it in anyways with broken glass. I'll try to score another one soon



sorry for all the crappy iPhone pics...



The end result was very pleasing. 3000Ks are very yellow but looked awesome.

My tires should've been here this week too. I called onlinetires.com to check on my order and low and behold, they were on back order for another 6-8weeks
So I had them ship me the most comparable ones and they should be here Monday.

Cheers
-Paul

[slimadi]

Looks clean for an old skool ride,i like the rims to look forward to updates!

[cabezzz]

Nice find, love the color,

Wheel choice is awesome
Subscribed

[M.Burroughs]

Your fenders on the E28?

Damn dude!

Yeah. People never realized how much I rolled them.

[CSBolger]

god my fenders are raped. To run those flush on my car, I'd need a ~40mm spacer up front, and a 61mm spacer in the back.

Can't wait to see this car shape up.

Your fenders on the E28?

Damn dude!