I hooked up a reverse light to go on when i put it in reverse
dealer said to use the red/yellow wire going to the pod display
and this supplyed the ground i need and worked great until
i tried to go faster than 5 mph and then it would spit and sputter
and not go any faster. so i disconnected it and it then ran great
dealer had no idea why. any one here know what the problem could
be ?? 2006 400i automatic
thanks loads

 

Put a diode in the wire from the pod to your relay (I hope you are using a relay to run the light). I think you are making the ignition think it is in reverse all the time. To test this theory press and hold the reverse override button and see if the engine runs normal.

 

yes i'am using a relay and using power from the tail light to operate the relay.
one thing where the "R" shows on the pod ,when i'am in reverse i sometimes get a "E"
what size diod and is this to stop any back feed ?

 

You only need a small diode, you're just using it as a blocking diode, so you aren't getting feedback signals into your pod. It sounds strange that it would, you're supplying 12V to the relay, then using the other side, through the reverse grounding cct to the frame right? Maybe test that wire that you're using as a trigger, make sure it's doesn't have a feed to it. Sure it's the correct wire?? I'd have another look.

 

I am not sure about the wire in the pod stuff but I think there should be an accessory plug at the back in the wiring harness. I think the one on my 03 is located near the rear tool box. I have seen a light wired into that plug that can be turned on manually when backing up or lighting up a mudhole at night for the people behind you to come through. It does sound like feedback through your instrument pod or you have spliced into the wrong wire. Where is your ground for the light? Bad grounds always cause problems.

SJ

 

i know that the ground is good,and the correct wire is tapped into.
i dont want to manually turn it off and on so i need to use the pod wire
to trigger the ground. i found the wire by trial and error and it was confirmed by my
dealer when he called a/c tech. service.i will get a diode and try it this weekend
i'll let you if it works
you've been a great help thanks alot !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

The wire he is tapped into is the ground from the neutral switch to the light, which gets it's power fom the ignition switch. The ground activates the relay which he is supplying power to. The problem with having 12 volts on the reverse wire without a blocking diode is the reverse wire also runs to the CDI box and appears to be making the cdi think the tranny is in reverse when it is not.

 

Think I would rather put a switch on the dash or front plastic than chance doing damage to the insterment pod. Besides there are times I would like to have the light on and not be in reverse and times have it in reverse and the light off.

 

Reporting back, put the diode in and it corrected the problem.
I have it so it will turn on in reverse automataly only when i have
the lights on and i put in a switch to turn it off if i dont want it on
and also to turn it on when not in reverse . best of both worlds
thanks for all your help.

 

Glad to hear it worked. I also like adding flexibility to the addons I install.