Valentine One hardwire install on 2011 X5 - Did I just ruin the sunroof wire?

aupton · #1 07-10-2011, 10:43 PM

I'm attempting to install a V1 in an X5 using the examples shown here:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...tor-e70-5.html

I was having intermittent power issues with the V1 depending on the position of the vampire clip. I took off the clip and put it back on to try to catch a better connection and now no matter what position i wiggle the clip I'm not getting any power to the V1. I've tried multiple clips and even the V1 from my wife's car and still no power.

I can take a voltmeter and tap it right to the bare part of the wire and i'm seeing 15v if I get a good connection against the bare wire but when I reattach the clip and test the bare metal part of the clip I'm not seeing the same voltage, it drops to about 7-8V and fluctuates...

The sunroof still works thankfully and I don't notice any lights out on the interior, but i'm at a loss as to why I can't power up the V1 from that wire any more... Should I wrap the open part in electrical wire and attempt to tap in another spot?

I've attached a pic of the fray in the cable, Any ideas?

bren3085 · #2 07-11-2011, 02:02 AM

are you grounding the negative cable correctly? it may not have anything to do with that power cable you are tapping into..

I found in general that bmw paint is quite thick so in the spot that you have to ground a negative cable in some instances I have had to sand down a very inconspicuous spot around a screw (where I am grounding the cable)

aupton · #3 07-11-2011, 07:04 AM

Very interesting! I'm grounding against the left screw that holds the sunroof motor in place. There's a much larger bolt that's a bit harder to get to on the far right of the motor and it doesn't appear to have the same shiny coating. I'll try that tonight, thanks for the advice!

r6vr6 · #4 07-11-2011, 10:29 AM

I'd put the tap back on and check the voltage on the "output" side of the tap. Then wiggle the tap around and see if it is making good contact. I grounded my install using a ground wire in the harness (brwn\ wh if I recall correctly)

I used the red 3m t-taps as the blue are for larger gauge wires.

Wire looks undamaged just cover it up with some electrical tape if you end up using a different location.

muddycharles · #5 07-11-2011, 07:37 PM

Invisicord Products Home Page

and it has worked like a charm. Connected it to the rear view mirror power supply.

GetOffTheX · #6 07-19-2011, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muddycharles

Invisicord Products Home Page

and it has worked like a charm. Connected it to the rear view mirror power supply.

Any chance you have photos and instructions?

Thx

muddycharles · #7 07-19-2011, 11:20 AM

I popped off the plastic connector on the rear view mirror (the one that covers the windshield between the mirror and the headliner - found the wires and with a electric tool got the right ones.

Inserting the invisicord into the wire connector is a piece of cake

aupton · #8 07-11-2011, 08:14 PM

@bren3085 and @r6vr6 I got it working! It was the ground after all. I moved the ground wire to one of the bolt heads on the far right, not the hex bolts on the sunroof motor that i was using and that did the trick! Thank you both for your help and suggestions, I greatly appreciate it!

bren3085 · #9 07-11-2011, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aupton

@bren3085 and @r6vr6 I got it working! It was the ground after all. I moved the ground wire to one of the bolt heads on the far right, not the hex bolts on the sunroof motor that i was using and that did the trick! Thank you both for your help and suggestions, I greatly appreciate it!

No worries, glad I was of help