ZTechnik Luggage Rack Cable Harness

[SethJ]

Can anyone tell me if they have installed the Ztechnik Luggage Rack on a
1999 model? I'm curious about the cable harness connection. The directions
did not seem to explain where the location of the topcase cable harness connection is found. I wasn't aware that you could just connect a small lead wire and have an LED brake light mounted. Sounds too easy.
I will go ahead with the install in the next couple days and was hoping for some advice on this.

Thanks all for any comments and or advice.

[rixchard]

Can't speak to the 1999 model but when mine (2000) was installed they just connected to the little plug in documents box

[JPSpen]

On my 99 I found the brake light wires fastned SECURELY to the same harness as the interior light in the trunk. Pull out the light and you will find them folded back and taped down very well. It was quite a fight to get them out. I used a hook to snag the loop and a lot of pulling and cussing but finally got them out.. Had to cut off the existing connector but got it working just fine.. It's there..

PS. You can't take the liner out of the top of the trunk... It's glued really well so don't even try to go that route... I'll put up a pic in a while..

Good Luck

John

[rixchard]

Oops. you are right and I am wrong. Seth, don't listen to me

[SethJ]

I appreciate the info guys, and especially the nice photo John.
I was hoping it was going to be something like that. Nice of BMW to have the wiring harness tucked in there with the vanity mirror. Going to pick up a 5/8 hole saw and give it a shot in the next couple of days.

[wilbar00c]

I appreciate the info guys, and especially the nice photo John.
I was hoping it was going to be something like that. Nice of BMW to have the wiring harness tucked in there with the vanity mirror. Going to pick up a 5/8 hole saw and give it a shot in the next couple of days.


Here are a few more photos to assist you with your install. I made some oval holes to get the rack to slip into place. Some of us bought the "Mags Bag" rack bag made to fit this rack. I'm pleased with mine.

[SethJ]

Well the Luggage rack install went off without a hitch...up to a point...
Looks like its all complete and a nice clean install except for the fact that I cannot find the darn brake light wiring harness. The directions tell me to pull the wire from the spot where it looks like molded conduit area for the wires to run through. Well I drilled the 5/8 inch hole and NO wires to be found anywhere.
I then drilled another 5/8 inch hole up in the trunk light enclosure. I can barely get a hold of the wire in there. Tryed to pry off the light itself, but plastic begain to crack and get chewed up so I stopped.

I'm thinking that early 1999 models did not come with any type of brake light harness in the topcase and that more modifications are needed to take advantage of the LED Brake light on this nice chrome rack.

I see your photo in the last post, Wilbur00C , the close up of the interior light. Did you just splice into that?? I wasn't sure just from the image.

Looks like a call to the bmw dealer or Ztechnik is in order.

[wilbar00c]

Well the Luggage rack install went off without a hitch...up to a point...
Looks like its all complete and a nice clean install except for the fact that I cannot find the darn brake light wiring harness. The directions tell me to pull the wire from the spot where it looks like molded conduit area for the wires to run through. Well I drilled the 5/8 inch hole and NO wires to be found anywhere.
I then drilled another 5/8 inch hole up in the trunk light enclosure. I can barely get a hold of the wire in there. Tryed to pry off the light itself, but plastic begain to crack and get chewed up so I stopped.

I'm thinking that early 1999 models did not come with any type of brake light harness in the topcase and that more modifications are needed to take advantage of the LED Brake light on this nice chrome rack.

I see your photo in the last post, Wilbur00C , the close up of the interior light. Did you just splice into that?? I wasn't sure just from the image.

Looks like a call to the bmw dealer or Ztechnik is in order.

Yes, I just spliced the wires. I could not find a male type connector to go with the Ztechnik (I called Ztechnik engineering, and they said, back then that they only designed the rack and the vendor that make it for them found the BMW type connector) and the bike has spade male connectors. If I recall correctly the LEC has a real ground side. My first hook up did not work as I thought the rack mounted on the fiberglass trunk was neutral. Use jumper wires to get it correct before you make your final splice. Here is another picture. The two leads were folded away from the light and taped to the wire group to the light. Use a light and a mirror to look deeper when you get the light out. With the 2nd photo I have posted, you can see the plastic of the light is the same on both ends, so slide it to one side and pry from the other. I think I used an electric drill bit to naw some of the liner stock away while I was attempting to pry the light assy past the edge of the (hole) square opening that the light snaps into.

[SethJ]

Thanks all for the advice and photos. They all worked like a charm.
I called Ztechnik just to confirm and they said to go ahead and splice, solder it, and shrink wrap it. Easy to complete and looks great!! Thanks again all.

Looking forward to Americade next week.