Another window/locks/interior lights/wiper thread...sorry.

[BMWCraig]

Hi all. Great forum here! 1989 535i owner for about 2 years.

I've got the usual dead power windows/locks/interior lights/wiper problem (all dead - all at once) that would usually be fixed with a replacement fusible link. My fuses are all good (ohm'd em out). My fusible link is under the back seat, and is not a bolt on like the one in the BMWE34.net (http://http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/maintenance/electrical/fusible_link.htm) webpages first picture, but like the last one. I cut the insulating heat shrink away and measured across the fuse, and it appeared to be good (0.5ohms). Also, it is crimped onto the wire connectors, and does not appear to be easily replaced.

My questions are:

1) How would you recommend that I replace the link (gonna try it for good measure and try to save some cash).
2) If the fusible link is good, then what?

Thanks in advance.

BMWCraig

[p_gill]

Craig,

The resistance is not a good measurement of the condition of the link. (more on this later)

How I fixed the link:

On mine I got out the drill and drilled out the two rivets on the link and used the existing cabl ends. I bolted it to a copper fusable link that I found at the autoparts store, I think is used 75 amps (not posotive).

I taped everything up with electrical tape.

Since then everything has worked fine. Its been over a year.

Brief explination of why the resistance measurement will not sufice.

- The aluminum in the link has developed a crack at one end and it is almost completely seperated.

- The small connection remaining (and I mean small) will easily pass the current needed for the resistance measurement.

- In actual operation the link is seeing amps not miliamps and it heats up and the resistance increases. This is why mine worked on cold days and it would fail after the car was warmed up.

Good Luck

Paul