Expert: Don Berlan - 9/21/2006

Question
My sister has recently purchased a 1984 318i(BMW). No vin at this time,sorry.The car runs,but whoever owned it before had the wiring in shambles. I have removed the old alarm and stereo wiring. So now I am basically at a bone stock harness. No alarm , etc. I`ve gotten basic functions back.My problem is I have no gas gauge,dash lights,turn indicators,idiot lights,etc. But the tach & temp work.I`m thinking relay,but which one? There are so many on this car. After market manuals don`t tell you squat!!Your help would be very appreciated. Thanx,Ken.

Answer
I'm not sure which manual you have but a Bently manual shows the wiring in the car.Having the dash apart,well under the dash,any wires cut and not soldered back together is a problem.Scotch-locks and butt connectors don't cut it with fixing a problem.Look for the brown wires as they are the grounds in the car,under the dash there is a spot that many grounds connect,make sure they are clean and tight.Go buy a Bently manual you'll need it(the $15 haynes manual isn't as indepth)