Electrical Problem

[Straylight]

Weird deal here with little background. Had a small fire a few months ago. It fried the electrics to the fuel rail and gummed up a couple of other things, but was pretty localized. I replaced the harness and now the battery light on the dash is on all the time. I pulled each fuse and relay in succession and it doesn't solve the problem. However, when I disconnect the two ends of the wiring harness at the big connector right next to the fuse box, the light goes out. I then discovered that with the key in the off position, the windows, mirrors and blower all functioned as though the key were still in the on position. I swapped the electronic portion of the ignition switch and the problem persists. I also sprayed WD-40 into the ignition cylinder. No difference. Is there a relay somewhere that I'm missing? Also, the starter will not engage with the engine. It spins up just fine. I've seen information that these two parts may be related and a new starter may do the trick. Thoughts?

[jlevie]

If the engine was running at the time of the fire, I'd suspect damage to the engine harness (at the least) from shorting in the fuel rail wiring.Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL
BMWCCA 335857
http://www.bmwcca.org