[planetscott]

Originally Posted by flukey

Can anyone please help me?

I cannot get the bottom left hand corner of the face plate to disconnect. I've tried and tried but it seems like its caught on something. Does anyone have a solution?

I had the same problem ... pull harder.

[nyc3r]

Originally Posted by planetscott

I had the same problem ... pull harder.

+1, just pull harder. I was worried I might break the faceplate but then I remember then part we're replacing is the entire faceplate so it doesn't matter if I break it. Now that I got it apart I just need to actually wire the damn thing together.... saving it for this weekend.

EDIT: great DIY, both works now with smiley robot. Also got the angry robot in case i change my mind later. Now to find something to plug into them.

[Majikthese42]

Originally Posted by Richwm

So did anyone notice that the plug for the center console outlet and the rear ones are the same I wonder if there is a pig-tail conector from the dealer to make this a clean mod with no splicing required.

Has anyone managed to find a PN for this connector? I can't imagine that BMW builds totally different wiring harnesses for every market, so the rear outlets must plug into something.

I don't find the outlet inside the console to be particularly useful because of the lid clearance. If the plugs are identical is there any reason not to just unplug the inside-console outlet and plug in the rear ones?

[calvino]

Originally Posted by Majikthese42

Has anyone managed to find a PN for this connector? I can't imagine that BMW builds totally different wiring harnesses for every market, so the rear outlets must plug into something.

I don't find the outlet inside the console to be particularly useful because of the lid clearance. If the plugs are identical is there any reason not to just unplug the inside-console outlet and plug in the rear ones?

I look everywhere I could not find them I think the one in the center console is the same.

I use the outlet inside the console so unplug it is not an option, why do you have problems with the lib clearance get a iGo changer it fit perfectly and it eliminates all of your other chargers.

[Majikthese42]

Originally Posted by calvino

I look everywhere I could not find them I think the one in the center console is the same.

I use the outlet inside the console so unplug it is not an option, why do you have problems with the lib clearance get a iGo changer it fit perfectly and it eliminates all of your other chargers.

I tried to plug my Garmin inside the console. The lid won't close.

I have my V-1 now 1/2 hard wired but I'm using the front lighter plug for that.

My original plan was to install the sunglass holder, delete the lighter and use that connector to hard wire the radar detector. I guess that won't work. So my current plan is to tap into the wires behind the lighter and convert the ashtray half of the ashtray lighter combo for my V-1 remote display. I'll keep the cigarette lighter plug for the Garmin.

I know it's not a minivan but --- 2 outlets cut back to 1 if you choose the sunglass cubby holder? BMW doesn't make it easy, do they?

[GregL]

Originally Posted by Majikthese42

I know it's not a minivan but --- 2 outlets cut back to 1 if you choose the sunglass cubby holder? BMW doesn't make it easy, do they?

Given that our owner's manual doesn't fit in the glovebox, I really don't think it crosses their minds.

[mosport70]

Originally Posted by Majikthese42

Has anyone managed to find a PN for this connector? I can't imagine that BMW builds totally different wiring harnesses for every market, so the rear outlets must plug into something.

I don't find the outlet inside the console to be particularly useful because of the lid clearance. If the plugs are identical is there any reason not to just unplug the inside-console outlet and plug in the rear ones?

I cannot find the P/N either. The connector in my car is made by AMP so if anyone has parts catalog from them we might be able to find a match.

On the plug from the outlets the connector is AMP part 1-968839-1. Underneath it is stamped with BMW 8 378 970 which might be a partial p/n from BMW's system. I've looked through the ETK and wiring system catalogs and cannot find a match.

I'm not an electrical engineer so I don't know what the official name of these connectors are but anyone who does could search here:
http://www.tycoelectronics.com/components/products/

Please help!

[JeeZues]

Originally Posted by GregL

Given that our owner's manual doesn't fit in the glovebox, I really don't think it crosses their minds.

LOL, Very true, I thought it was just me!

[Majikthese42]

Originally Posted by mosport70

Please help!

Perhaps one of our international friends might know!

I'm a little curious as to if Rest-of-World cars delivered with the rear outlets also come delivered with the inside-the-console outlet.

[mosport70]

Originally Posted by Majikthese42

Perhaps one of our international friends might know!

I'm a little curious as to if Rest-of-World cars delivered with the rear outlets also come delivered with the inside-the-console outlet.

BUMP

anyone with factory rear power outlets willing to remove the cover and take a few pics of the wiring harness (pig-tail connector or otherwise) and may be any part numbers if you can see them???

[calvino]

I think cars delivered with rear outlets have an extra cable in the right side were you connect the rear outlets

[Majikthese42]

Originally Posted by calvino

I think cars delivered with rear outlets have an extra cable in the right side were you connect the rear outlets

It would just be too good to be true to have the appropriate connector stuffed back in the console.

Has anyone constructed a three-way "jumper" between the "hot" cables and the lighters, using the Radio Shack Molex connectors? And wrap everything in tape. I'd happily sacrifice the power socket in the console but it looks to me like I'd need to plug a "hot" female connector into the female connector for the rear outlets. (That clearly won't work.)

Also I'm a little lost on how to disconnect the AC blue cable. Is there some trick to disconnecting BMW electrical connectors? (Before I start breaking things.)

Originally Posted by calvino

2) unplug a small blue cable from the AC before removing the piece

3) the AC unit is hold by 6 clicks just pull the clicks up and remove the unit . see picture

If I haven't said it before, this rear outlet upgrade was a pretty neat idea. I never would have thought of it in a million years.

[Majikthese42]

Originally Posted by calvino

2) unplug a small blue cable from the AC before removing the piece

Bump: Apologies, but how do you disconnect the blue cable? (Hopefully without breaking the AC vent)

[UncleWede]

I got lazy and just had the dealer install for me, since the face plate sat in my bedroom for over 6 months and I never got around to it. He said there was a retro kit. When I get home I will try to pull the part no off the work order.

[Majikthese42]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

I got lazy and just had the dealer install for me, since the face plate sat in my bedroom for over 6 months and I never got around to it. He said there was a retro kit. When I get home I will try to pull the part no off the work order.

I tried both Tischer and Circle BMW and neither have been able to find a PN.

If you have one, that would be great!

[UncleWede]

Wifey put the receipt somewhere and I haven't found it yet. I'm going to go by or call SA tomorrow to get details.

[mosport70]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Wifey put the receipt somewhere and I haven't found it yet. I'm going to go by or call SA tomorrow to get details.

Thanks for looking!

[Majikthese42]

Originally Posted by Majikthese42

Bump: Apologies, but how do you disconnect the blue cable? (Hopefully without breaking the AC vent)

Got it! There is a tiny, <1mm nubbin that holds the connector together. It is on the long side of the connector with all the printing. I pryed it apart with a teeny-tiny screwdriver, and a magnifying glass..... with telephone guidance including a consultation with one of the US military's finest and most senior Ph.D. electronic engineers.

If there is a E90 Post record for the amount of time needed to disconnect that connector, I'm claiming it!

[calvino]

Originally Posted by Majikthese42

Got it! There is a tiny, <1mm nubbin that holds the connector together. It is on the long side of the connector with all the printing. I pryed it apart with a teeny-tiny screwdriver, and a magnifying glass..... with telephone guidance including a consultation with one of the US military's finest and most senior Ph.D. electronic engineers.

If there is a E90 Post record for the amount of time needed to disconnect that connector, I'm claiming it!

good job, I knew you were going to figure it out

[Majikthese42]

Originally Posted by calvino

good job, I knew you were going to figure it out

..so after I got the the Evil Blue Wire Connector apart, everything went pretty quickly!

I constructed a three way sub-harness using the Radio Shack connectors. The female Radio Shack connector required a little bit of trimming with a Dremel to fit. The two male connectors fit just fine. I used zip ties to hold the Radio Shack connectors to the BMW connectors.

I have power to all three outlets. My Ph.D electronic engineer friend is back doing whatever he does for the US military and can't talk about. My car is back together, at least until next weekend. It all works!

Thanks!

[UncleWede]

SA wasn't real clear on what they did, I now think he just charged me hours to have the shop splice things together. But since they did it, if my son burns it out on our trip to Stockton end of this week, I'll have recourse . . .

[mosport70]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

SA wasn't real clear on what they did, I now think he just charged me hours to have the shop splice things together. But since they did it, if my son burns it out on our trip to Stockton end of this week, I'll have recourse . . .

I hope they followed calvino's instructions and didn't just splice it together with tape.