Constant 12v power supply under bonnet of E39?

[Nitrojan]

Where would be the best place to get a power supply from under the hood other than the jump start terminal?

I am trying to install my DRL harness for my LED angel eyes.. and I know a lot of people use the jump start terminal but for some reason, I can't unscrew mine (it's not one of those that has a nut on it). As such, I can't slot the O-Ring connector onto the bolt.

My terminal looks like this:

Where else could I get a supply?

 

[Nitrojan]

Why does it even need a harness, the E39 has a DRL function anyway so it can be set to have the angel eyes on all the time.

I don’t think my car has the option of DRL as standard as it is an older engine (1997). As you can tell I am not an expert on electrical wiring, but I retrofitted the LED’s into my projector headlamps and they came with a harness. The harness contains a ground wire (obviously) which I bolted to the top of my strut tower, one of the trigger wires I spliced/t-tapped into my accessory circuit and I need to supply a constant 12v to the relay (this wire is already fused, and this is included as part of the harness). Surely this way the lights would only be lit once they are triggered via ignition position 1 or 2 as per the accessory wire feed?

I also plan on running the second trigger wire to my interior lights via running it through the firewall to my drivers side puddle light – this way the angel eyes will dim with the car interior lights once I lock the car.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[Nitrojan]

Easy solution is to just wire it to the sidelight feed - means you will have to turn the knob but hey ho. There must be a seperate, fused constant 12v line in there though, get the multimeter out and start checking fuses

Yeah - I think this is my only way. Anyone know the fuse number for the cigarette lighter? lol

This image suggests it's #47 but I think this is a later model BMW, and not sure if it's E39:-

 

[Nitrojan]

Just fit Hella lights, then you don't need to worry about all this faffing and your E39 will look lovely not like one that somebody has decided to fit random ebay trinkets to. You've spent a fortune on all that bodywork don't ruin it for the sake of a set of headlights. If you cant run to new ones there are millions of them on Ebay!

It is not a 2009 Audi, it does not need LED running lights.

Unfortunately I have already bought my projectors and LED rings so no going back now!

 

[Nitrojan]

Such a shame

What about the back lights? The Hella CELIS ones are not even that expensive for the rear.

Will get those for the rears yeah. How much are they new? (I am at work so can't really look around right now).

 

[Nitrojan]

Can't remember off hand but under £200.

Still very pricey then! Will need to save up a bit of cash.

I am looking at putting some 17" style 71's (only because I have found a nice professionally refurbed set including tyres). I would love style 49's but they're so difficult to find. As my E39 is the non-sport version of the E39, I will need to lower the car quite a bit, however I do not at have enough money to do this right now (was thinking a bilstein B6/H&R spring set-up). The car at the moment has the disgusting 15" style 31's (would love to get rid of these asap.. it ruins the look and considering the amount I have spent to try and make it look 'good' it seems a shame) - do you think by switching to 17" wheels it would make the car look too much like a 4x4?

 

[Nitrojan]

What? Seriously?

Yes, when you're 19 and on a student salary it is

Is this an E39 M5 or something? It is a lot of work for an old saloon.

No, it's a 523i - a lot of work yes, but the car has sentimental value to me (it used to belong to my mum until she passed away, and is one of the only things I remember of her as I was 11 at the time. It was 'her' car and she loved it from new. She fell totally paralysed and unable to breathe for 4 years prior to that, so my memories are very faint).

I felt that I could either spend £2k or so on a clio/corsa with a 1.2/1.4 engine, or spend it repairing the E39 which was in very good condition, owned from new, and low mileage for the age. I'd probably get bored of the 1.2/1.4 very quickly whereas my insurance for this 523i is much cheaper having owned it since 1997.

Nice looking car, cheaper insurance, low mileage, reliable, comfortable.

Mainly personal things but there we go. It may not mean anything to anyone else, but it means a lot to me. It isn't the fastest car in the world by any means, but it's fine for me

 

[Nitrojan]

I don't think they look too bad? One question though, the small 'tabs' around the bottom of the headlights (the OEM ones also have them I think) - what are they for?

P.S Excuse the garage door.. it's knackered lol.

Perhaps it was the image as I took it from my phone? Looks far better in real life, the previous picture doesn't do it justice