6 speed conversion...electrical

[yaofeng]

I reconnected the battery positive cable in the rear seat after almost 6 months 30 minutes ago. The car started after cranking for about 15 seconds. There are a number of messages, oil level sensor, owner's manual, trans program and one or two more I can't remember. I had to shut it down when I saw smoke came out of the engine compartment on the passenger side. After I shut the engine off, the starter was still cranking. I was in a real panic. Dashed into the garage to get a 13 mm socket. Fumbling through the tool box. Why is it you never find what you are looking for when you are in a panic? Finally I did and dahsed back to the car in the driveway to disconnect the batter cable after what seemed like eternity.

After I reconnected the battery the starter won't turn any more. I may have fried the starter. But I kind of doubt it. Because it was still turning when I disconnected the battery.

When I opened the hood to look into the passenger side. I saw this. One of the ground wires was burnt. I wasn't sure that's where it should be. Could someone who has a 540 take a picture of that area for me?



On the shifter this is what I did.



I jumpered the green/red wire from fuse F17 (7.5A) to the brown/black wire at the auto transmission range connector so the starter immobilizer relay is energized when I turned the ignition key to start the car. The two yellow connectors are from the back-up light switch. There is not a separate back-up light switch on the auto transmission but one on the 6 speed. I used a generic Bosch two wire connector to connect to the auto transmission range connector.

Even if I fix this eventually I still need to corrct the trans program message. The other messages are probably minor.

What did I do wrong?

[yaofeng]

Can someone who has either a 530 or a 540 take a picture of the jump start connector on paasenger side of the engine compartment for me? I must have screwed up the wiring placement by fastening the two black wires on the same ground nut.

before,


after, the wire is burnt,

[bbig119]

I'll do it when I get home. I would have tried to get it last night but it was raining cats and dogs in Jersey yesterday.

[granit_silber]

I am assuming that you're converting the 540iA to an iM and not changing out the 5-sp in your 525 for a 6-spd. If that's the case I understand that the only way to get rid of the TransProgram message is to install an ECU from a 6 speed 540.

-ashley

[yaofeng]

It is not poosible to change my 525 5 speed to a 6 speed. The bolt patter and form are different. As to the trans program message, I was advised differently. But I am not at that point yet. Need to sort out the wiring issue first and get the car started again. I do hope the starter is not fried because of continued cranking.

[granit_silber]

It is not poosible to change my 525 5 speed to a 6 speed. The bolt patter and form are different.

Yeah, I was a little confused and just making sure. Although I guess I would figured it out if I had read your sig.

-ashley

[yaofeng]

I'll do it when I get home. I would have tried to get it last night but it was raining cats and dogs in Jersey yesterday.

Thanks. Someone on another board provided the picture and answer.

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/276563

The burnt wire should have been connected to the positive lead. I had it on the ground nut. I think it explained why the starter kept cranking when I shut the engine off. The current load on the starter is more than that wire can take that is why it was smoking.

[bbig119]

I hope that simple switch is all it takes to get your car running. Sorry I didn't get you the pictures sooner.

[yaofeng]

I hope that simple switch is all it takes to get your car running. Sorry I didn't get you the pictures sooner.

So you bought the 540 Steve Petry converted to 6 speed? I talked to him this afternoon thanks to the contact info you provided a few months ago. Steve drove the 540 with the trans prog after conversion. He said you found the solution to disabled the message. I'll be tackling that if and when I restart the car.