MFSW retrofit cable FAIL!

[inkey$]

Attempted to fit the retrofit cable today….don't judge me but I chickened out when I got to the wiring loom at the light switch :lol:

Got as far as the binnacle out and just looked at the space available, the spaghetti of wires, and even with the how-to (link below). I just didn't trust my electrical DIY skills to remove the block and scotch lock the splice in the retrofit cable.

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=16422&hilit=Mfsw+retrofit

All bits put back on and battery reconnected. If anyone is expert at this and could offers some help, it would save my predicted ham fisted attempt!

 

[inkey$]

 

[skmattwell]

Don't worry I was pretty apprehensive too! Thankfully I found it way easier than it seems. For reference, I used this same guide and undertook this three weeks ago.

The connector is held in with a white lever that needs to be lifted, much like the ones found on the back of the instrument cluster (you can use these to practice). Then I used a flathead screwdriver to push out the blue and brown connectors from their holder. My fabric cable wrap needed to be cut away slightly so the scotch locks could be put on further down the cable to clear the holder when it went back on. The colours of the retrofit cable wires correspond with those of the wires that need to be spliced on the blue connector. Clip one wire from the internal connector and the corresponding cable from the retrofit cable into the plastic side of the scotch lock then close it, using a pair of plyers to make sure it's fully closed. Once you've done this with both wires you can slide the holder back on and push the connector back in using the lever. Then you can move onto the other side of the retrofit cable, which is just inserting pins into an existing connector (as described in the guide).

Worse case scenario I'm happy to do it for you as in relatively close (NW London) or if you're in Suffolk I was contemplating going to the Norfolk car and coffee meet

 

[inkey$]

Don't worry I was pretty apprehensive too! Thankfully I found it way easier than it seems. For reference, I used this same guide and undertook this three weeks ago.

The connector is held in with a white lever that needs to be lifted, much like the ones found on the back of the instrument cluster (you can use these to practice). Then I used a flathead screwdriver to push out the blue and brown connectors from their holder. My fabric cable wrap needed to be cut away slightly so the scotch locks could be put on further down the cable to clear the holder when it went back on. The colours of the retrofit cable wires correspond with those of the wires that need to be spliced on the blue connector. Clip one wire from the internal connector and the corresponding cable from the retrofit cable into the plastic side of the scotch lock then close it, using a pair of plyers to make sure it's fully closed. Once you've done this with both wires you can slide the holder back on and push the connector back in using the lever. Then you can move onto the other side of the retrofit cable, which is just inserting pins into an existing connector (as described in the guide).

Worse case scenario I'm happy to do it for you as in relatively close (NW London) or if you're in Suffolk I was contemplating going to the Norfolk car and coffee meet

Thats for the vote of confidence, but my electrics history with scotch locks is woeful :lol: I got the the removal of the main light cluster block then chickened out before removing the brown and blue blocks.

Might have to take you up on the offer of help though at some point, as you’re not that far away. Not at the Norfolk meet as Im away this weekend.

 

[Rockhopper]

I wouldn't be using scotchlocks, they are not super reliable.

 

[skmattwell]

Don't worry I was pretty apprehensive too! Thankfully I found it way easier than it seems. For reference, I used this same guide and undertook this three weeks ago.

The connector is held in with a white lever that needs to be lifted, much like the ones found on the back of the instrument cluster (you can use these to practice). Then I used a flathead screwdriver to push out the blue and brown connectors from their holder. My fabric cable wrap needed to be cut away slightly so the scotch locks could be put on further down the cable to clear the holder when it went back on. The colours of the retrofit cable wires correspond with those of the wires that need to be spliced on the blue connector. Clip one wire from the internal connector and the corresponding cable from the retrofit cable into the plastic side of the scotch lock then close it, using a pair of plyers to make sure it's fully closed. Once you've done this with both wires you can slide the holder back on and push the connector back in using the lever. Then you can move onto the other side of the retrofit cable, which is just inserting pins into an existing connector (as described in the guide).

Worse case scenario I'm happy to do it for you as in relatively close (NW London) or if you're in Suffolk I was contemplating going to the Norfolk car and coffee meet

Thats for the vote of confidence, but my electrics history with scotch locks is woeful :lol: I got the the removal of the main light cluster block then chickened out before removing the brown and blue blocks.

Might have to take you up on the offer of help though at some point, as you’re not that far away. Not at the Norfolk meet as Im away this weekend.

No worries mate, feel free to PM and we'll sort a day to get it done, should only take 30 mins max

I wouldn't be using scotchlocks, they are not super reliable.

The Scotchlocks are what come with the bmw retrofit pack, these ones are specifically made for the wire gauges and work well from my experience