[Gjohnson7]

Ok, I pulled this side panel off to look for a temperature sensor in my driver's side AC vent, when I noticed the disconnected wires here. Does anyone know what this should be connected too? Was something removed from this space?

I've got a 2011 535i .

[reihensechser]

looks to me like a retroft-ground cable, because the screw (and method) is not original.

[Qsilver7]

Ditto above...some aftermarket or left over wiring from a previous owner's install was the first thing that made me go hmmm. I can't ever recall BMW grounding anything with a screw...plus BMW normally uses a brown wire for ground and it usually runs back to some grounding point (like one of the usual ground connectors or combs).

See #2 & #4 below...these are comb connectors which can usually be shortened to the desired amount of poles...this is what you see multiple ground wires connected to around the vehicle:

{here's another example of how BMW groups a bunch of ground wires to one large connector "comb"}

[wcr3d]

Totally agree with the above, plus the other wire looks like a butt connector.
Totally DIY .

[Gjohnson7]

Thanks for the input. Yeah, the butt connector threw me off too.

[claykin]

Originally Posted by Gjohnson7

Thanks for the input. Yeah, the butt connector threw me off too.

Something removed by previous owner. Follow the +12V wire (the one with the butt connector) and see where the other end connects. If feasible remove it. De-trash your car.