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Macv
05-20-2006, 12:59 PM
Would anyone happen to know what this piece is?

http://img422.imageshack.us/img422/4136/what16dp.jpg

http://img415.imageshack.us/img415/4456/what25lu.jpg

(The arrow incandescently points out the object :))

....just curious.

-Mac
Evan
05-20-2006, 03:04 PM
passenger ejector seat... option on 94 cars
mpirie
05-20-2006, 03:11 PM
Looks to me like the aerial connector used in European E34's. They came with an aerial amplifier that used the rear heated screen for radio reception. The amplifier was behind the rear lights too. Regards, Mike
pingu
05-20-2006, 03:11 PM
Any chance you can pull the plastic cap off the end and zoom in a bit closer? The silvery metal bit looks like a connector that has been crimped to a coaxial cable. I don't know what it does, but if it is coaxial then it might be something to do with the aerial - it's in the right sort of place. I think that some/all? E34s have a "diversity" antenna - if I remember correctly, the diversity antenna has three antennas and some electronics which selects whichever of the three antenna is, at any particular instant in time, giving the strongest signal.
Macv
05-20-2006, 03:15 PM
So what exactly does that do? ... and do I have the option installed now, or just ready to be?
Macv
05-20-2006, 03:19 PM
I'll get more pictures when I can
pingu
05-20-2006, 03:25 PM
It's possible that you've got the diversity antenna and that the cable you found isn't needed due to the diversity antenna.
Macv
05-20-2006, 03:32 PM
I failed to mention this was behind the rear passenger dome light .... but I'm sure you noticed

Here are those pictures...
http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/183/coaxil2ax.jpg
(doesnt happen to get cable does it ? :D )
http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/7/coaxil28ba.jpg

A shot of the sisters just for fun...

http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/6029/funshot7vl.jpg

Thanks for all the help

-Mac
Paul in NZ
05-20-2006, 03:50 PM
dont all e 34s have the diversity antennae in the rear window?
SchnellE34
05-20-2006, 04:25 PM
Out of curiousity, why did you have the lights off? Are you installing switched rear lights?
Macv
05-20-2006, 04:53 PM
Out of curiousity, why did you have the lights off? Are you installing switched rear lights?

Actually yes, well.... I'm looking into the process anyways, why?
pingu
05-20-2006, 05:29 PM
Well it's definitely a coaxial cable and connector. Hopefully someone else will know why there is a spare coaxial cable !
SchnellE34
05-20-2006, 05:56 PM
I was also looking into it. I was thinking about just putting a switch on those lights but I have to research the wiring a little more.
infinity5
05-20-2006, 07:13 PM
You crazy kids!! It's the antenna for the CELL PHONE! :D The center console factory-installed old-timey Mobile Phone.... There should be a big fat serial cable for it near by! I've got one in my trunk as well. It's bundled with an enormous coumputer style serial cable. I'm 99.9% sure that's what it's for.
Macv
05-20-2006, 08:26 PM
Can I still get cable?
BillionPa
05-20-2006, 09:13 PM
hmm, i wonder if i can wire that thing into my remote start to get better range
genphreak
05-21-2006, 04:32 AM
You crazy kids!! It's the antenna for the CELL PHONE! :D The center console factory-installed old-timey Mobile Phone.... There should be a big fat serial cable for it near by! I've got one in my trunk as well. It's bundled with an enormous coumputer style serial cable. I'm 99.9% sure that's what it's for.I thiought the factory system ran into the trunk from the console. Besides, why would it have coax connectors there...- what use could they possibly be, all alone there, half way from the aerial to the phone?
onewhippedpuppy
05-21-2006, 06:05 AM
Hook up a TV to it, see what happens.:D
Macv
05-21-2006, 11:29 AM
Hook up a TV to it, see what happens.

....tempting....
tnt525i
05-21-2006, 04:50 PM
its the coaxial cable thats supposed to go into the antenna amplifier,,, dont know why its not connected though,,, i thought all e34's had the antenna amp
Kalevera
05-21-2006, 05:14 PM
BMW CNET uses a separate antenna, the coax for which runs from the trunk, up the right c pillar, and out under the headliner to (what I remember as being) an inductive mount, fixed on the rear wind screen. The antenna is then glued to the opposite side of the glass.

This car was either prewired for or had installed (and removed) a factory cellular system.

For whatever it's worth, I remember the data cable as terminating with a centronics 25 connector (in the trunk) -- it shouldn't run anywhere near the coax antenna line.


Also, from what I can tell of the pictures, the fitting on the end of the coax is too big to be used on the antenna amplifiers. But it very well could be disconnected.

best, whit