Editing Openai/6940b2df-db80-8003-b707-4cc5cbedf6d9 (section)

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In the close-ups you posted:
* The plastic around the main stud is melted and cratered
* The aluminum bus/fusible link area is heat-stained
* The stud seat is no longer flat — it’s deformed

That alone causes:
* Voltage drop
* Unstable power to the DME
* Random no-start even with a “good” battery

BMW considers this non-serviceable. Replacement is mandatory.

===== In one image, the red main cable is not properly terminated — you can clearly see: =====
* Bare copper strands fanned out
* Not fully captured under the ring terminal
* Uneven compression against the stud

That means:
* Reduced effective cross-section
* Massive resistance under load
* Heat buildup → exactly what melted the box

: 

This is not acceptable and must be corrected.

===== From multiple angles: =====
* Thin blue/red wires spliced near the main feed
* Non-BMW inline connector
* Routed across the A46 body and cable path

This is dangerous for two reasons:
# Electrical noise / voltage sag
# Heat concentration at the stud

These wires must not be reinstalled on the new A46.

If they power an accessory, they must be:
* Re-routed to a fused auxiliary distribution block
* Or removed entirely

===== The battery tray and fasteners show: =====
* Rust bloom
* Mineral residue
* Corrosion creep

That explains why the cable and stud overheated even faster.