HELP! Need help with problems on v1 Install!

Kassel · #1 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005, 10:19 AM

Alright, so everythings going fine on the install, UNTILLLL I can't get the unit to power on testing it.... I have checked the ground wire, thats nice and tight under the screw. Since I am doing it through the vanity light/ sunroof panel area, I was told to use the Unviersal Remote connector wires. MadRussians Install says to use the "green wire with blue stripe" ( http://m3.madrussian.net/diy_valentine_v1.shtml ) however, in my 2000 328ci, there are no green wires with blue stripes on this connector, theres a Yellow wire, a black middle wire (ground?), and a clear heavier looking gauged wire.... I tried tapping into all 3, none worked.... I checked the fuse in the hardwire kit, even switched it out, still didnt work (and yes i had the key in position 2)... anyone know anything to help me out! I leave for college for a 6-7hr drive on friday, and want to get this done ASAP so i can listen to some music along the way using my ipod! Thanks!
Bolo

MCouper · #2 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005, 11:01 AM

Did you sand down the area where the ground is?

Kassel · #3 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005, 11:02 AM

is that really necessary, its between a screw and a washer.... and its just a spade connecter that fits perfectly fine... which should i sand, the connector or the screw/washer?.. oh and theres no paint on the screw or washer i dont think

MCouper · #4 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005, 11:22 AM

sand the paint on the car around the screw hole, but i am pretty sure its the ground, v1 is reeeeeally picky about its ground. as for what wire to tap into, i have no clue, your in potomac? where at?

Kassel · #5 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005, 11:36 AM

River Falls, down falls road from the village, off of brickyard rd... tell me you're not the guy that lives right behind me with the black silverado ss

MCouper · #6 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005, 11:38 AM

nope, im by lakewood CC, and mine is blue, I could help you out if you want to stop by this afternoon, ill pm you my addy and my cell

Kassel · #7 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005, 11:46 AM

aight, i might need ur help, turns out the ground is actually screwed into a peice of black plastic.... but im thinking that shouldnt effect it too much, as the screw screws into metal, but ill sand it down and try it. oh, the screw does have a blackish tint on it, maybe sanding it off will do the trick

MCouper · #8 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005, 11:53 AM

ok, if you still have trouble, hit me up, ill be around most of the afternoon

Kassel · #9 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005, 12:18 PM

no luck, even switched the wires again, anyone else got some quick ideas?

csk · #10 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kassel

Alright, so everythings going fine on the install, UNTILLLL I can't get the unit to power on testing it.... I have checked the ground wire, thats nice and tight under the screw. Since I am doing it through the vanity light/ sunroof panel area, I was told to use the Unviersal Remote connector wires. MadRussians Install says to use the "green wire with blue stripe" ( http://m3.madrussian.net/diy_valentine_v1.shtml ) however, in my 2000 328ci, there are no green wires with blue stripes on this connector, theres a Yellow wire, a black middle wire (ground?), and a clear heavier looking gauged wire.... I tried tapping into all 3, none worked.... I checked the fuse in the hardwire kit, even switched it out, still didnt work (and yes i had the key in position 2)... anyone know anything to help me out! I leave for college for a 6-7hr drive on friday, and want to get this done ASAP so i can listen to some music along the way using my ipod! Thanks!
Bolo

First off, get a multimeter... they're built to take +/- 200V easy. much safer than testing with the V1.

When I did my install, I couldn't find any easy power takeoffs near the sunroof, so I stole power from the courtesy light panel. I wasn't getting good grounding or clean stable signals, so I figured I should just find a pair that gave me a steady 12.7V.

There were 5 wires going to the courtesy lights, I used the solid brown (not the brown with red stripe) for negative/ground and the purple with white stripe for positive/hot. I found these by taking the circuit board off the body of the lights and probing around with the multimeter for a circuit that was hot when the ignition was on, but cold with the ignition off.

I would've just probed at the wires, but my 328 has the wiring soldered right to the circuit board - no handy-dandy little plug.

I suppose I should take some pictures some time.

csk · #11 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005, 02:16 PM

Also, I used a 22awg to 18awg Tap-In Connector (radio shack #6403053) on the ground, rather than that little screw-in lug. I had to ream out the 22awg side a little, then the plastic tap would hold the insulation rather than putting the entire tap on just the metal conductors.

I wedged the direct-wire adapter up in the sunroof motor compartment, while the electrical taps were in the courtesy light compartment, and stuffed the extra V1 power cable into the bulkhead with a lot of other wires up there.

Again: multimeter. You'll be able to test which wires are carrying what, and without wrecking your V1...

Kassel · #12 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005, 03:16 PM

ill check if my courtesy light has a purple/white, if so, im good to go!

Kassel · #13 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005, 03:30 PM

Aight, ive given up for today, I'm just gonna get some help from MCouper tomorrow i think

Kassel · #14 (**permalink**) 09-15-2005, 11:46 AM

Well, after much Multimeter testing, MCouper found out there wasnt a good power/ground up in the sunroof motor area, so he moved it to the fuse box, just tapped into a constant power source (the glove box light), ran the wire through the pillar, up under the windsheild and past the mirror, now its nice and clean, couldnt have done it without him, nice guy, nice cars too