engine and drivetrain Does Anyone Know What This Is ?

[1Eighteen]

This is sat in my engine bay, with lots of wires going nowhere.  It seems to be a DIY job, since the wires are not genuine BMW items.

 

One of them seems to run into the wing ?

 

Can anyone shed any light on it ?  I thought maybe someone had spotlights at some point, but the 'wing' wire has thrown me !!

 

 

[jgerock]

Based on your picture, you have a tii - most likely that is a starter relay- but I have only seen them mounted in the right corner next to the coil. Please confirm the year (72-74). Most likely a 72 or 73 due to lack of relays in the bracket only on 74tii's.

Oops- no brake fluid reservoir in the pic- right hand drive tii?

Edited March 17, 2014 by jgerock

[peterschop]

Did your car have A/C, now removed?

[bnam]

Looks like AC relay.

[jgerock]

As commented above - that does look like an A/C compressor relay (same shape as a starter relay).  Mine is mounted on the RF inner fender well - but only has a few wires.

[1Eighteen]

Sorry guys, the car is a RHD (UK) Early '72 Tii.  

 

There is no indication of AC ever having been fitted to the car.  So I need to discount that !!

[13]

I could be wrong but I could swear I have a hella fog light ballast that looks exactly like that

[DRedman]

Possibly a starter motor relay 61 31 1 352 156 NLA also used in automatics.  The other possibility is A/C relay 61 31 1 352 232 NLA but since your car never had A/C?

[manimal]

Un bolt it and give us a pic of the relay pins w/their numbers.

[ar_kid]

http://www.classiccult.com/vintage-vw-porsche-bosch-horn-light-relay-12v-nos.html

 

good game

[1Eighteen]

I'll take it off as suggested.  I did remove a pair of airhorns, I wonder if it was for those ?  They had no wiring to the compressor.

[jgerock]

Starter relay on my 69 2002

 

A/C compressor relay on my 73tii

Edited March 18, 2014 by jgerock

[Emyers]

A relay used for many 12v applications back in the day.  My 72 Volvo 1800ES uses them for the fuel injection the fuel pump and the horn and high beams.

 

Earl

[bluedevils]

You can use it to wire a pair of fog lights!

[conkitchen]

flux capacitor?

runs on gigawatts