[otitxn]

Hello all,

I was just recently in a local dealership to have my ignition coils/spark plugs serviced, and they found my grounding strap (BMW 12-42-7-549-393/12-42-7-549-396) was corroded. They of course tried to sell me on this, and was going to gouge the crap out of me price-wise. Has anyone done this replacement before? If so, does anyone have any ideas for an "upgrade"? Since it is only a grounding cable I am wondering if you can use any insulated wiring, or find a way to insulate the OEM cable.

Lastly, the dealer tried to sell me on both parts. FCP Euro only lists the -393 applicable to my 2011 328xi, not the -396. Any ideas as to that?

Thanks to all in advance!

[ctuna]

This is the stereo and bluetooth sub forum .
You can try looking up the part number on realoem.com
Or try to call FCP

[otitxn]

Originally Posted by ctuna

This is the stereo and bluetooth sub forum .
You can try looking up the part number on realoem.com
Or try to call FCP

I posted here because the forum also lists " + Electronics/Alarm/Software" as a grounding cable has to do with electronic systems.

As to your other statements, already checked realoem and haven't called yet.

[ctuna]

Just Google e90 ground strap a lot of sources and some DIY's
will come up.

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1444544

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...06#12427840580

This more of a general and DIY forum issue.

[Diawal91]

Originally Posted by ctuna

Just Google e90 ground strap a lot of sources and some DIY's
will com up.

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1444544

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...06#12427840580

This more of a general and DIY forum issue.

+1

[maarzz]

Originally Posted by otitxn

Hello all,

I was just recently in a local dealership to have my ignition coils/spark plugs serviced, and they found my grounding strap (BMW 12-42-7-549-393/12-42-7-549-396) was corroded. They of course tried to sell me on this, and was going to gouge the crap out of me price-wise. Has anyone done this replacement before? If so, does anyone have any ideas for an "upgrade"? Since it is only a grounding cable I am wondering if you can use any insulated wiring, or find a way to insulate the OEM cable.

Lastly, the dealer tried to sell me on both parts. FCP Euro only lists the -393 applicable to my 2011 328xi, not the -396. Any ideas as to that?

Thanks to all in advance!

Hi, not sure if you still have this lingering but I changed my own with a thick gauge insulated copper wire from local hardware store! 3-4 years running, no issues!

[bluewater328]

Originally Posted by maarzz

Hi, not sure if you still have this lingering but I changed my own with a thick gauge insulated copper wire from local hardware store! 3-4 years running, no issues!

I think its interesting that at two key points, there is a braided thin strap, but at every other point, the thick 1-2 gague is spiderwebbed around the starter, etc.

[Emilime75]

Just about any ground strap about 12" long and a minimum of 4awg wire will do. Most certainly does not need to be a BMW specific part. With it being a ground, there is really no need for it to be insulated, and with it being so exposed to the elements, it's actually better not to be insulated because the insulation would just hold moisture and make it corrode faster.