First Post...License Plate Light Question

[colin292]

hey all, this is my first post, i've been reading this website for the past month or so as i'm getting to know my '93 525 that i recently boughtoff my uncle. i love the e34, its an amazing car, and i'm happy this forum if here to help me with the many questions i have about the car.

the "LIC PLATE LIGHT" warning came up the other day. my right side light was out, so i went and bought a new light. i installed it, but it is still not working. i checked the fuse box but did not see "license plate light" on the listing of fuses. any suggestions as to what could be wrong? thanks alot.

[Marshy]

Check the wiring to the trunk lid: it runs in a plastic cover on the left hand lid hinge.

I had all sort of problems: one reverse light out; one foglight out; number plate lights would go dim with the lid lifted; internal lights non-functional.

I pulled the plastic cover off (latching clips to undo) and what looked like a previous repair plus, further along in the loom, no fewer than five broken wires and a couple more with worn insulation.

Disconnect the battery, then rejoin all the wires. I used crimp barrel connectors and wrapped the result in lots of electrical tape in the hope that it'll last. Time will tell... :)

It's nice to have a lit boot interior at last, plus I don't get a "lic. plate light" message every time someone lifts the lid with the ignition on.

[Javier]

harness tied to the left trunk lid hinge (see this post).

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=2586

Fuse is number 5, but feeds both sides of license plate lights.

Let us know if you succeed with the hinge harness checking.

Javier

[m5maniac2001]

i had the same problem with my touring. Found the problem, which was three broken wires and all the rest were seperating.

[colin292]

checked the hinge, there are 3 cut wires. so i'm guessing i need to disconnect the battery and re-attach the wires right? i know the battery is under the rear seat, but i'm not exactly sure how to disconnect it. i don't want to mess anything up, so i figured i'd ask on here first to be sure. thanks for your help.

colin

[Anthony (M5 in Calgary)]

checked the hinge, there are 3 cut wires. so i'm guessing i need to disconnect the battery and re-attach the wires right? i know the battery is under the rear seat, but i'm not exactly sure how to disconnect it. i don't want to mess anything up, so i figured i'd ask on here first to be sure. thanks for your help.

colin

And make sure it can't touch the terminal. If you have the original radio, make sure you have the CODE before you power off.

Anthony

[colin292]

make sure what doesn't touch the terminal? sorry probably stupid questions but i just don't wanna screw anything up+

[Anthony (M5 in Calgary)]

make sure what doesn't touch the terminal? sorry probably stupid questions but i just don't wanna screw anything up+

Make sure it stays off the terminal to ensure the car stays de-energized.

Anthony