Engine bay switch live feed?

[pestt]

Anyone done this before I get the multimeter out?
Any inspiring ideas on a suitable engine bay switch live feed? No fuse box nearby, canbus wiring.
Windscreen washer motor maybe?
Ta.

 

[pestt]

2004 BMW 645.
Water temperature gauge.
I know I could probably tap into the fuses in the glove box but really want to run the feed through the firewall to keep it tidier.
Thanks.

 

[pestt]

Surely that would only be live when you press the button to operate the srceen washers..

Yeah, was kinda hoping it would be negative that operates that and it may be switch live. Will have a check..

 

[pestt]

Your BMW doesn’t have a temperature gauge?

Nope. In their wisdom they equipped it with an oil temperature gauge in a bid to give it a 'racy' feel.
Stupidly, it can actually read the temperature but you can only display that in the dash by going through a stupid amount of faff each time.

 

[pestt]

Why do you even want to know the water temperature out of interest

Got a long-ish trip coming up, the cars old and the cooling systems on dinosaur Beemers isn't the greatest. Just want a bit of pre warning if it decides to toast itself, maybe save a head gasket. Just peace of mind really.

 

[pestt]

Does it have a obd2 port?

Hmm, good thought.
It's in the cabin but tucked away near where I want the gauge so if I can find out which pin to use that would probably work.
Thanks!

 

[pestt]

Or you could skip that faf and run a live "gauge" on your phone from the obd

Ok, that's actually something I will definitely look at. Didn't even think of that, great call.
Thanks guys, knew I could get some proper help in here.

 

[pestt]

Autool X60 Car OBD Scanner Digital Meter Digital Turbo Boost Pressure Meter Overspeed Alarm Water Temperature Gauge Car Voltage Meter Time Display for 12V OBD Standard EU/US Vehicles https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07BF568WW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_by-ZCbH70VVCR

Can get things like this if you have an obd port

Yeah, just been looking. Found this one too, yours looks a tad better quality though!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ACBungji-S...ocphy=1006803&hvtargid=pla-771978799607&psc=1

 

[pestt]

You could run the Torque app from Obd2 via Bluetooth, the Obd2 adapter is about £5 and the Torque app is about £4.

Wow, that's pretty comprehensive! I use the phone for sat nav and speed camera alerts though, will give that a good look though. Like the way the guy seems to know his stuff and is always developing the app. Cheers.

 

[pestt]

If your phone does multi screen you can split it 2 thirds nav and 1 third torque with 2 dials displaying.

Or just pair it with q tablet

Yeah, it does split. Good idea, cheers.

 

[pestt]

The dash will still display an over heat message/icon so you'll get warning.

Yeah, in an ideal world! My old E34 didn't and that boiled in a traffic jam in the middle of the Hatfield tunnel. Most embarrassing and lucky not to warp the head. I now live in absolute mortal fear if I smell coolant, even if its someone elses it makes me shudder.

 

[pestt]

I would hope that since, at best, 1996, BMW have developed a coolant temperature warning light.

I'd hardly describe a 2004 6 series as "Dinosaur" either.

Yeah, trouble is some of the BMW sensors aren't exactly reliable at best, hence the desire to have something that I can actually keep an eye in if it gets toasty. The thermostat doesn't open until 105C so it's already running high, naturally.
Dinosaur may have been a tad harsh though, it's actually quite well equipped. And I absolutely love it to bits and don't think I would ever part with it.