bmw e46 what color is the positve. need help

**DAMBRO24** · 12-10-2006, 10:28 PM

what color wire is my positive off my main ciggirette lighter plugs?
im installing a turn off switch for a screen.

i have a sold brown one (sliver clip on it ,

and re/black, one (thicker seems like this is it)?

help me out if you can , thank you

**dmurray14** · 12-10-2006, 10:42 PM

red/black

**Wiredwrx** · 12-10-2006, 10:54 PM

Actually, if you are installing a switch, it doesn't matter.

The only 100 percent ACCURATE way to know if with a volt meter. Next best would be a 12 volt test light, and NO ONE SHOULD BE TELLING YOU WHICH WIRE IS WHICH UNLESS HE HAS THE EXACT SAME MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE AS YOURS, and even then, there are no guarantess.

YOU SHOULD NOT BE DOING ANYTHING LIKE THIS WITH OUT AT LEAST A MINIMUM OF TEST EQUIPMENT.

Michael

**DAMBRO24** · 12-10-2006, 10:57 PM

ok, a light meter, if the ligt goes on i have positive correct?

**Wiredwrx** · 12-10-2006, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by DAMBRO24

ok, a light meter, if the ligt goes on i have positive correct?

Depends. One end goes to ground, and one goes to positive. You find something you KNOW is ground, connect one end, and then touch it to the wire, and if it lights, then it is positive, if it doesn't light, then it probably is not positive. If you are looking for ground, you find a definite positive source, and connect one end, and then touch the other to what you want to find out. If it light, then you have ground, if not, then probably not.

Michael

**dasha877** · 12-11-2006, 12:33 AM

I have an E46, which is apart right now while I finally install my carpc!

The cig lighter's ground is brown, not black. Positve is the smaller colored conntect toward the center. ground is on the silver colored body, and a larger plug.