# Electrical issue in my M3...any advice? **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [February 23, 2009, 3:51pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrical-issue-in-my-m3-any-advice/63516 "2009-02-23T15:51:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Viper966](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/viper966/32/7268_2.png) [@Viper966](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Viper966)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 6:12am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrical-issue-in-my-m3-any-advice/63516/21 "2009-02-24T06:12:53Z")
> [@newman](#): > > if a wire is melting and not blowing a fuse, something is wired wrong, or you have a bad fuse… usually the faults are to be found in the product itself… so the wiriing looks fine, but the ignitor shorts itself out ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 6:17am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrical-issue-in-my-m3-any-advice/63516/22 "2009-02-24T06:17:39Z")
> [@Viper966](#): > > usually the faults are to be found in the product itself… so the wiriing looks fine, but the ignitor shorts itself out > [@DarkkstaR"](#): > > the lead going to the battery terminal was MELTING. :gotme: ---
**Author:** ![Toda\_Party](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/toda_party/32/7354_2.png) [@Toda\_Party](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Toda_Party)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 6:28am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrical-issue-in-my-m3-any-advice/63516/23 "2009-02-24T06:28:51Z")
lesson: don’t do ricer mods ---
**Author:** ![Viper966](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/viper966/32/7268_2.png) [@Viper966](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Viper966)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 6:34am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrical-issue-in-my-m3-any-advice/63516/24 "2009-02-24T06:34:57Z")
> [@newman](#): > > :gotme: i meant it looks fine prior to it melting… ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 6:40am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrical-issue-in-my-m3-any-advice/63516/25 "2009-02-24T06:40:44Z")
While the product itself may be at fault, if a wire is MELTING and not blowing a FUSE, there is ALSO something wrong with the wiring/installation/fuse. Wire has a certain ampacity it can sustain. If the actual current exceeds that value, the wire melts. However, a fuse should blow well before the wire sees that current. Don, are you 100% positive that the wire between the fuse and the battery terminal was not nicked or cut in any way that could allow it to ground out on the chassis? Now it’s all melted you probably cannot verify this, but it’s really the ONLY situation that could cause the wire to melt. Also check the fuse holder itself (the battery side) for exposed conductors. ---
**Author:** ![66impalass](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/66impalass/32/7429_2.png) [@66impalass](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/66impalass)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 6:43am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrical-issue-in-my-m3-any-advice/63516/26 "2009-02-24T06:43:44Z")
> [@newman](#): > > While the product itself may be at fault, if a wire is MELTING and not blowing a FUSE, there is ALSO something wrong with the wiring/installation/fuse. > > Wire has a certain ampacity it can sustain. If the actual current exceeds that value, the wire melts. However, a fuse should blow well before the wire sees that current. > > Don, are you 100% positive that the wire between the fuse and the battery terminal was not nicked or cut in any way that could allow it to ground out on the chassis? Now it’s all melted you probably cannot verify this, but it’s really the ONLY situation that could cause the wire to melt. > > Also check the fuse holder itself (the battery side) for exposed conductors. Its not the wire itself, its the actual connector, they like to collect water and close the loop ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 6:46am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrical-issue-in-my-m3-any-advice/63516/27 "2009-02-24T06:46:07Z")
> [@66impalass](#): > > Its not the wire itself, its the actual connector, they like to collect water and close the loop the connector to the fuseholder? ---
**Author:** ![66impalass](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/66impalass/32/7429_2.png) [@66impalass](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/66impalass)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 7:07am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrical-issue-in-my-m3-any-advice/63516/28 "2009-02-24T07:07:54Z")
> [@newman](#): > > the connector to the fuseholder? the connector to the CCFL/LED rings, I do not know if they are even fused [http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=231123&highlight=umnitza+fire](http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=231123&highlight=umnitza+fire) ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 7:10am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrical-issue-in-my-m3-any-advice/63516/29 "2009-02-24T07:10:44Z")
He said the lead going to the battery terminal. He also said the fuse was not blown. ---
**Author:** ![66impalass](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/66impalass/32/7429_2.png) [@66impalass](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/66impalass)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 7:19am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrical-issue-in-my-m3-any-advice/63516/30 "2009-02-24T07:19:49Z")
> [@newman](#): > > He said the lead going to the battery terminal. He also said the fuse was not blown. that was just the connector that causes the issues… that causes issues all over the car, the car is also fused on the battery connector, while mine is at least ---
**Author:** ![ultradriver10000](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ultradriver10000/32/7397_2.png) [@ultradriver10000](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ultradriver10000)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 7:21am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrical-issue-in-my-m3-any-advice/63516/31 "2009-02-24T07:21:49Z")
Always use a fuse. [http://www.powerstream.com/Wire\_Size.htm](http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm) That can help you decide what size fuse you want to use. You can make an electrical system blow a fuse over melt a line 100% of the time if it is done properly. ---
**Author:** ![King](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/king/32/7329_2.png) [@King](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/King)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 7:27am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrical-issue-in-my-m3-any-advice/63516/32 "2009-02-24T07:27:06Z")
someone INSTALLED angel eyes? i thought people look for mods to GET RID of them on the cars they come on from factory ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 7:31am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrical-issue-in-my-m3-any-advice/63516/33 "2009-02-24T07:31:49Z")
> [@66impalass](#): > > that was just the connector that causes the issues… that causes issues all over the car, the car is also fused on the battery connector, while mine is at least AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. There are only 2 hot wires for the angel eyes, and a ground. A signal wire, and a power wire. The problems are with the power wire, yes? The power wire has a fuse on it. The fuse is somewhere between the battery post and the angel eyes. If there was a problem with the connector, which caused a short to ground, the current in the wire would increase. However, since there is a FUSE, the wire would never see enough current to cause the wire to melt. If there was a short to ground BETWEEN the battery and fuse, then the wire COULD get hot enough to melt. **_It’s that simple._** **Unless the fuse rating is way too high for the AWG it’s protecting, the problem lies between the battery post and fuse.** (also, while the battery post may be fused, it’s also fused at a MUCH higher load, because if you’re jumping the car, it will see a huge load) ---
**Author:** ![66impalass](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/66impalass/32/7429_2.png) [@66impalass](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/66impalass)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 8:04am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrical-issue-in-my-m3-any-advice/63516/34 "2009-02-24T08:04:58Z")
the fuse is a 5 amp fuse, but its retarded, I know what you are saying but when hundreds of people have similar issues that all relate to unmitza design there is probably something wrong with the design… and when people trace problems back it goes to that connector… and honestly I 5 amp fuse seems huge for the current that should be drawn [http://www.fastm.com/m3/angeleyes\_orionv2.html](http://www.fastm.com/m3/angeleyes_orionv2.html) ---
**Author:** ![ultradriver10000](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ultradriver10000/32/7397_2.png) [@ultradriver10000](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ultradriver10000)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 8:18am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrical-issue-in-my-m3-any-advice/63516/35 "2009-02-24T08:18:47Z")
> [@newman](#): > > **_It’s that simple._** > > **Unless the fuse rating is way too high for the AWG it’s protecting, the problem lies between the battery post and fuse.** Exactly. That is why I posted that page, to help determine what size fuse to use. You don’t want to go under too much, because then you run the risk of blowing the fuse every day. You most definitely don’t want to go over what the wire can handle, because then you’re using the wire itself as a fuse, and the fuse itself is useless. On tip, make sure the fuse is as close to the power source as possible (such as your battery or another fused source). 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ultradriver10000](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ultradriver10000/32/7397_2.png) [@ultradriver10000](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ultradriver10000)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 8:28am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrical-issue-in-my-m3-any-advice/63516/36 "2009-02-24T08:28:43Z")
If that is 16 gauge wire I wouldn’t be using a 5 amp fuse, even 14 gauge would be pushing it seeing as you have to run the line from the trunk to the front of the car, possibly heating the wire and developing more resistance due to the longer run. ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 8:41am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrical-issue-in-my-m3-any-advice/63516/37 "2009-02-24T08:41:38Z")
> [@66impalass](#): > > the fuse is a 5 amp fuse, but its retarded, I know what you are saying but when hundreds of people have similar issues that all relate to unmitza design there is probably something wrong with the design… and when people trace problems back it goes to that connector… and honestly I 5 amp fuse seems huge for the current that should be drawn > > [FastM.com (2003.5 BMW M3) - DIY Guide for 60LED Angel Eye Kit](http://www.fastm.com/m3/angeleyes_orionv2.html) While i don’t doubt that the connector is a general problem, in _this_ example, if that was the case, the fuse would have blown. You’re not arguing against me, you’re arguing against basic electronic theory. 5 amps will not melt the housing on even 20ga wire. (provided it’s in good condition. ---
**Author:** ![djdstar](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/djdstar/32/7617_2.png) [@djdstar](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/djdstar)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 9:28am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrical-issue-in-my-m3-any-advice/63516/38 "2009-02-24T09:28:16Z")
I took off the power and the fuse and wrapped it up…there were def. no shorts. I can check the ground later but I’m fairly positive there’s not going to be a short there either…will report back later I have a long long long day ahead of me. ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 9:31am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrical-issue-in-my-m3-any-advice/63516/39 "2009-02-24T09:31:17Z")
don, try pulling the fuse and ohm out the terminals. ---
**Author:** ![ultradriver10000](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ultradriver10000/32/7397_2.png) [@ultradriver10000](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ultradriver10000)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 9:46am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrical-issue-in-my-m3-any-advice/63516/40 "2009-02-24T09:46:04Z")
> [@newman](#): > > 5 amps will not melt the housing on even 20ga wire. **(provided it’s in good condition)**. Agreed Good Luck ! [Previous page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrical-issue-in-my-m3-any-advice/63516.md?page=1) [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrical-issue-in-my-m3-any-advice/63516.md?page=3)