Relay smoke and meltdown

[Hoopie]

I have a 2000 X5 4.4i and Friday starting up the X5 I had smoke billowing up from the engine compartment where the electronic Box sits. I could not open the box quickly due to the screws that hold down the lid. I had to unhook the battery with the BMW tools under the spare tire and suspension motor. About 5 minutes later I unscrewed the E-Box lid and saw the carnage.

The relay controlling the secondary air pump melted with the relay for the intermittent wipers plus the wiring harness that goes to the fuse panel under the glove box. It seems the fault was the relay and maybe the contact or the relay was bad. Now I have the task of removing the offending wiring harness that melted.

Anyone know how to remove this wiring harness? It is not the engine harness or the transmission harness. It seems to be a part of the body harness and possible to remove and rebuilt. Any suggestions?

[andrewwynn]

Pictures? Bmw makes pin replacement kits for lots of their connectors. I would first see if that's possible.

[Lucas.ua]

Cut and replace would be the easiest way. Replacing all of that is a lot of work. Scrapyard or part out cars will be your best option.