Can someone tell me what I just removed from my car?

bignosejim · 08-13-2012, 08:17 AM

Ever since the first day that I bought my car the battery drains pretty fast when it's left idle for a few days. When I was connecting the leads for a battery tender this is what I found connected to the positive terminal of the battery.

After taking apart the right side trim, I found the other end of the wire double stick tapped above the wheel arch.

It is grounded using a screw on the rear right tail light and has what looks like an antenna wire that was threaded up under the headliner of the car. Here's what everything looks like when removed.

Here's how electronics professionals install components in cars...

Black tape will have to do for now, until I replace the cable.

Can anybody tell me what I just removed. It doesn't have any "BMW" logos on it. It looks to me like the wire that is in the tubing is an antenna. So is this some sort of "lojack" transmitter or maybe a radar/laser jammer? I've also removed a black plastic box in front behind the bumper a few months ago. It had a loose wire that wasn't connected to anything.

3002 tii · 08-13-2012, 11:57 AM

If there's no telephone plug connectors, most likely NOT laser jammers.

pmmjarrett · 08-13-2012, 12:14 PM

I have no clue what that is, but if you keep having problems with the battery draining fast after removing that mess, get the alternator tested to see if it has a bad diode. You shouldn't need a battery tender for just a few days of not running.

No_Dominion · 08-13-2012, 02:51 PM

You're probably on the right track with the LoJack, or possibly GPS position monitoring. Considering it doesn't have any interface with the vehicle other than the power/ground wiring, anything it is doing, it is doing wirelessly. A tracking device would seem likely.

bignosejim · 08-13-2012, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmmjarrett

I have no clue what that is, but if you keep having problems with the battery draining fast after removing that mess, get the alternator tested to see if it has a bad diode. You shouldn't need a battery tender for just a few days of not running.

That's a good idea. I'm pretty sure my battery is bad, so that is where I'm going to start. Probably getting the O'reilly's battery later tonight or tomorrow. Over the last couple of days my old battery has only lost 0.1 volts. It's gone from 12.3 to 12.2 volts, which is way lower than it needs to be, but has not lowered into the lower 11 volt range (where it was after I got back from vacation).

Quote:

Originally Posted by No_Dominion

You're probably on the right track with the LoJack, or possibly GPS position monitoring. Considering it doesn't have any interface with the vehicle other than the power/ground wiring, anything it is doing, it is doing wirelessly. A tracking device would seem likely.

It's definitely not getting re-installed until I find out that it is necessary. Judging by the wiring job someone put it in for a particular reason (that is not benefiting me).

Jumbosock · 08-13-2012, 04:58 PM

Wow that is a GHETTO install. Home Depot has some good thick shrink wrap that will cover that open area.

As far as the fuse... it looks like the fuse used to go to that black box but the fuse blew and so the person just bypassed it with limited tools by cutting the wire and sticking it into the red power wire. It seems he only had a steak knife and electrical tape on hand.

bignosejim · 08-13-2012, 05:39 PM

Good idea, I'll be sure to stop by home depot tonight.

There were a couple of drops of solder on that wire, so they had more than the steak knife and electrical tape. Still Ghetto.

inTgr8r · 08-13-2012, 05:50 PM

Holy schit.....
What a great install!

Geauxkart · 08-13-2012, 06:18 PM

We used to use those in the KGB.
Look out your front window, see me?

pmmjarrett · 08-13-2012, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geauxkart

We used to use those in the KGB.
Look out your front window, see me?

The Russian version must be a lot cruder install than the ones the FBI got caught using a couple years ago.

You should know within the next 24 hrs whose it was

nadaclue · 08-14-2012, 11:42 AM

I don't know what it is, but I really want some chili lime chicken kabobs. Those sound tasty.

Geauxkart · 08-14-2012, 01:02 PM

It does look like there is a serial connector under the cap opposite from the power wires.
Betcha the prior owner had some trust issues.

bignosejim · 08-14-2012, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geauxkart

We used to use those in the KGB.
Look out your front window, see me?

No, but there has been a suspicious van with no windows outside since yesterday!

Quote:

Originally Posted by nadaclue

I don't know what it is, but I really want some chili lime chicken kabobs. Those sound tasty.

Apparently those are popular with Zpost members, you're the second to comment on them. The other was in another thread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geauxkart

It does look like there is a serial connector under the cap opposite from the power wires.
Betcha the prior owner had some trust issues.

There is some sort of connector under there, but it doesn't look quite like a serial connection (at least not like a computer serial port).

Here is the final install of my new battery, the old one had a bad cell and was six years old. Complete with shrink wrap.

08-13-2012, 08:17 AM	#1
bignosejim Lieutenant 40 Rep 400 Posts Drives: 2007 IB M Coupe Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: DFW iTrader: (0)	Can someone tell me what I just removed from my car? Ever since the first day that I bought my car the battery drains pretty fast when it's left idle for a few days. When I was connecting the leads for a battery tender this is what I found connected to the positive terminal of the battery. After taking apart the right side trim, I found the other end of the wire double stick tapped above the wheel arch. It is grounded using a screw on the rear right tail light and has what looks like an antenna wire that was threaded up under the headliner of the car. Here's what everything looks like when removed. Here's how electronics professionals install components in cars... Black tape will have to do for now, until I replace the cable. Can anybody tell me what I just removed. It doesn't have any "BMW" logos on it. It looks to me like the wire that is in the tubing is an antenna. So is this some sort of "lojack" transmitter or maybe a radar/laser jammer? I've also removed a black plastic box in front behind the bumper a few months ago. It had a loose wire that wasn't connected to anything.
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08-13-2012, 11:57 AM	#2
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2285 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.24]	If there's no telephone plug connectors, most likely NOT laser jammers. __________________ Follow for latest mods
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08-13-2012, 12:14 PM	#3
pmmjarrett Retired Paratrooper 5 Rep 146 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 3.0i Sport Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: North Carolina iTrader: (0)	I have no clue what that is, but if you keep having problems with the battery draining fast after removing that mess, get the alternator tested to see if it has a bad diode. You shouldn't need a battery tender for just a few days of not running.
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08-13-2012, 02:51 PM	#4
No_Dominion Lieutenant 117 Rep 439 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4M Coupe Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Indianapolis iTrader: (0)	You're probably on the right track with the LoJack, or possibly GPS position monitoring. Considering it doesn't have any interface with the vehicle other than the power/ground wiring, anything it is doing, it is doing wirelessly. A tracking device would seem likely. __________________ Remote Start /// LEDs /// 20% Tint /// SGT Headers /// Gloss Black Roof /// Aero Sides DKF Resonated S1 /// Mstache V2 /// Rear Diffuser /// CF Mirror Covers /// Eventuri Intake MRR GF7 Wheels /// Evolve Tune /// CF Spoiler /// Michelin PSS
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08-13-2012, 04:58 PM	#6
Jumbosock Captain 76 Rep 987 Posts Drives: 2007 M coupe Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	Wow that is a GHETTO install. Home Depot has some good thick shrink wrap that will cover that open area. As far as the fuse... it looks like the fuse used to go to that black box but the fuse blew and so the person just bypassed it with limited tools by cutting the wire and sticking it into the red power wire. It seems he only had a steak knife and electrical tape on hand. Last edited by Jumbosock; 08-13-2012 at 05:04 PM..
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08-13-2012, 05:39 PM	#7
bignosejim Lieutenant 40 Rep 400 Posts Drives: 2007 IB M Coupe Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: DFW iTrader: (0)	Good idea, I'll be sure to stop by home depot tonight. There were a couple of drops of solder on that wire, so they had more than the steak knife and electrical tape. Still Ghetto.
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08-13-2012, 05:50 PM	#8
inTgr8r Lieutenant General 2432 Rep 11,667 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (10)	Holy schit..... What a great install! __________________ '21 M2C Hockenheim Silver '18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold) '13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold) '07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
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08-13-2012, 06:18 PM	#9
Geauxkart Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 280 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 M Coupe Sepang Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, LA iTrader: (3)	We used to use those in the KGB. Look out your front window, see me?
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08-14-2012, 11:42 AM	#11
nadaclue Private First Class 52 Rep 152 Posts Drives: Urban Green 2003 3.0 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	I don't know what it is, but I really want some chili lime chicken kabobs. Those sound tasty.
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08-14-2012, 01:02 PM	#12
Geauxkart Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 280 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 M Coupe Sepang Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, LA iTrader: (3)	It does look like there is a serial connector under the cap opposite from the power wires. Betcha the prior owner had some trust issues.
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