1987 535i smoking fuse box!

[Hillhippy]

My first post and first BMW. The "heater/blower" fuse keeps blowing. The plastic under the fuses has melted, so its been HOT. I put in a new fuse. Instead of just "blowing", the fuse started to heat up and smoke. Are these fuses designed as slow-blow or something? I used a 25A as specified. Is this common? Do folks replace these with a more recent fuse box? This is problem #1, I have a lot of work to do.

[cn90]

You need a digital Voltmeter and Ohmeter.

Then start doing troubleshooting systematically.

Electrical troubleshooting requires:
- expertise
- patience
- understanding of the circuits.

It is not hard but again requires deligence.

[Hillhippy]

I have some background in electricity/electronics, and have a multi-meter. What I do not have is a manual etc. What is the best one to get and source? I was hoping this was a common problem with a known cause. I saw a sticky about a "blower motor resistor", but it looked like that was on later models?

[cn90]

I used to own a 1983 735i, they same similar issues with fusebox, wiring.
Very often the problem is in the printed circuitboard (inside the fusebox).

Also try bimmerboard.com

[Hillhippy]

Thanks folks! copy bimmerboard.com

[jimoreno]

You should remove all of the fuses, clean the contact points and re-tension them before installing all new fuses. Also, sometimes you have to open the fuse box and work under it to properly fix this. Look for your car's ETM (Electrical Troubleshooting Manual) on this website as this is required to do proper troubleshooting.

http://www.e28planet.com/etm.php

Good Luck!