76 525 - indicator + brake light not working

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garyinwestoz
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76 525 - indicator + brake light not working

Post by garyinwestoz »

I am hoping for some electrical insight in to my problem

on my 76 525 - since I got the car running again - neither the brake light, nor the indicators , nor windscreen wipers are working.

to get it started - I had to-
disconnect all the LPG system
get a new key
install a working ignition switch cable - this was dodgey too , so I installed a bypass start button
remove all the alarm components.

So now I can start and drive the car - but no brake light, no indicators no wipers - therefore unable to drive on the road.
headlights and driving lights all work

hazard lights confirms all indicator work - just wont work via indicator switch. indicator relay works ( confirmed on other car)

Any thoughts and what I need to check - and how?
74 525 auto
76 525 - 4 speed, LPG and holley carb- restoring
77 528i- 4 speed manual
77 528i -4 speed manual getting rusty
79 528i auto - a SA car?
80 528i auto - ready to relicense
81 528i +3.5ltr - auto - restoring
86 525e 5 speed manual- dd
canada karl
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Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2009 3:50 pm

Re: 76 525 - indicator + brake light not working

Post by canada karl »

Are any fuses blowing?
1976 530i. BMW 59 Triumph TR3A(rolling resto). 67 Triumph TR4A(salvageable). 86 900S Winter car
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Mike W.
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Location: Sonoma County

Re: 76 525 - indicator + brake light not working

Post by Mike W. »

The original switch has several contacts in it, one for ignition, one for the starter, both of which you obviously have working. But my guess is the one for accessory is not powered up and that is where your problem is. Off the top of my head, and verify this, don't assume I'm right, I think Red is power from the battery, Black is to the starter, Green is ignition and Violet is accessory. There's another wire you probably don't need to worry about that is hot with the ignition off for the parking light thru the turn signal. But my guess is that Violet wire is not getting power.

It's also possible that the relief relay circuit is the problem.
Mike W.



1980 528i, 3.5 euro, 5 speed conversion
1981 528i, 3.6, Recaros and more. Project
1998 328is, quick and efficient, but not satisfying
2000 528iit, Vacation mobile/wife's grocery getter
garyinwestoz
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Joined: Thu Jan 29, 2009 9:05 pm
Location: perth, australia
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Re: 76 525 - indicator + brake light not working

Post by garyinwestoz »

Mike W. wrote: Thu Jun 17, 2021 11:20 am The original switch has several contacts in it, one for ignition, one for the starter, both of which you obviously have working. But my guess is the one for accessory is not powered up and that is where your problem is. Off the top of my head, and verify this, don't assume I'm right, I think Red is power from the battery, Black is to the starter, Green is ignition and Violet is accessory. There's another wire you probably don't need to worry about that is hot with the ignition off for the parking light thru the turn signal. But my guess is that Violet wire is not getting power.

It's also possible that the relief relay circuit is the problem.
I do recall that whilst we were working on the clutch (before making up the bypass start switch)- I kept knocking the wiper lever - which invaribly turned the wiper on.

Hmm, so If I disconnect my bypass start switch and reconnect the original way - that may disclose something - thanks I'll give that a try.

and I'll double check and maybe change that fuse too.

.
74 525 auto
76 525 - 4 speed, LPG and holley carb- restoring
77 528i- 4 speed manual
77 528i -4 speed manual getting rusty
79 528i auto - a SA car?
80 528i auto - ready to relicense
81 528i +3.5ltr - auto - restoring
86 525e 5 speed manual- dd
garyinwestoz
Posts: 390
Joined: Thu Jan 29, 2009 9:05 pm
Location: perth, australia
Contact:

Re: 76 525 - indicator + brake light not working

Post by garyinwestoz »

Ive now got the indicators working, replaced the hazard light switch and the ignition lead was loose so I re-tightened the grub screw and the key now works properly the ignition, so I have disconnected my bypass switch.

but the brakes lights still not working

Ive got 12v across the brake light switch but only 0.65v across the fuse at the engine fuse box.

The electrical diagram says this fuse is also for the radio. - The radio is missing (stolen)

The electrical diagram also says brake etc connects to plug No 64 - is that this one on the firewall?
Image
74 525 auto
76 525 - 4 speed, LPG and holley carb- restoring
77 528i- 4 speed manual
77 528i -4 speed manual getting rusty
79 528i auto - a SA car?
80 528i auto - ready to relicense
81 528i +3.5ltr - auto - restoring
86 525e 5 speed manual- dd
garyinwestoz
Posts: 390
Joined: Thu Jan 29, 2009 9:05 pm
Location: perth, australia
Contact:

Re: 76 525 - indicator + brake light not working

Post by garyinwestoz »

I replaced the globes, installed new plug and wiring for the trailer connector and terminated an extra earth and brake wire off the rear left hand light cluster loom.

I now have brake lights - go figure!

Image
74 525 auto
76 525 - 4 speed, LPG and holley carb- restoring
77 528i- 4 speed manual
77 528i -4 speed manual getting rusty
79 528i auto - a SA car?
80 528i auto - ready to relicense
81 528i +3.5ltr - auto - restoring
86 525e 5 speed manual- dd
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