Glove box flashlight plug polarity

[X5chemist]

Does anyone know the plug polarity for each pole? I have an adapter to plug in for my XM receiver. It's key powered so I don't have to remember to turn if off. Thought I would ask before trying to break my back and reach in with a voltmeter.

[X5chemist]

I took an opportunity to teach a youngster how to use a voltmeter. First a few simple questions. Like, if I'm searching for polarity, what will I find. He answered correctly, positive and negative. Showed him the lead colors. I turned the key on. He found positive to be the lower pole. We insert the adapter then the XM 12V power plugs. It works. Key ignition now powers the XM module. I'll go back and hide the power wire later.

[jac]

Glove box flashlight???

Hmmm... I don't think I have this in my E53. I do have a little light that illuminates the glovebox. That light is on the "ceiling" of the glovebox, to the right of the glovebox latch.

Maybe the black connector (with purple and brown wires) that I have lose on the passenger footwell side is supposed to be used for this "flashlight" you have on yours?

When you get in there next time, would you mind taking a photo of the "flashlight" connector and documenting the wire colors that come off it?

[workingonit]

Originally Posted by jac

Glove box flashlight???

Hmmm... I don't think I have this in my E53. I do have a little light that illuminates the glovebox. That light is on the "ceiling" of the glovebox, to the right of the glovebox latch.

Maybe the black connector (with purple and brown wires) that I have lose on the passenger footwell side is supposed to be used for this "flashlight" you have on yours?

When you get in there next time, would you mind taking a photo of the "flashlight" connector and documenting the wire colors that come off it?

from an earlier thread:

Originally Posted by workingonit

There was a black plastic rectangle where the flashlight would've been, so I used a screwdriver and popped it out. Voila', there was the two-prong receptacle, with a brown ground and a black/red? positive (lighting was bad). After testing with my meter, to verify it was switched, I made that circuit my trigger-power source (for my aftermarket electric fan).

The black plastic rectangle was on the left side of the glove box. No pictures, but the brown wire was definitely ground (as are most grounds I've traced in my E53).

[jac]

Cool, Thank you.

[X5chemist]

Flashlight key auxiliary power for a XM module.