Pre 9/96 Prod E39 - M-Sport Steering Wheel Upgrade Completed

[540-S3]

I finally managed to get my 08/96 production E39 to work with the newer 09/97-03/99, single-stage M-Sport steering wheel. I know there were claims that other had done this upgrade, but they failed to mention that their modification was causing problems with the recirculation system and the cruise control.

I have back-lighting on my steering buttons, full audio control, cruise control functionality and no issues with the recirculation system.

I was curious is there was any interest in me doing a write up on this upgrade?

[09/97-03/99]
P/N 32 34 2 228 670 M-Sport Wheel w/o phone buttons [09/97-03/99]
P/N 32 34 2 228 671 M-Sport Wheel w/ phone buttons [09/97-03/99]
P/N 32 34 2 229 130 M-Sport Airbag single-stage [09/96-03/99]

[KellyC]

Yes please provide a writeup. The newer style multiple stage airbag wheels are easier to find and have more styling options.

You can find the single stage wheels but they are getting harder to come by.

[Jfive96]

- -Yes, I would like a write up. Every and all info about anything BMW E39 DIY's are always needed. I have the wheel, now I need the airbag.- -

[jamfool]

So you managed to retrofit a prefacelift steering wheel to you prefacelift e39...
Ok well done lol

[carlos1212]

oh please ive got an entire steering column 00 sport in my garage that i have been trying to put in my 98 540i for months

[FredRC]

I think you guys are misunderstanding him. What he did was retrofit a 09/97-03/99 into a 96 model.

both of this models have single stage airbags and not dual stage, which seem to be the big issue when retrofitting steering wheels.

[540-S3]

I think you guys are misunderstanding him. What he did was retrofit a 09/97-03/99 into a 96 model.

both of this models have single stage airbags and not dual stage, which seem to be the big issue when retrofitting steering wheels.

You are correct. This upgrade replaces the single stage 4-spoke wheel to the single stage 3-spoke sport wheel for pre 9/96 production E39s.

Besides replacing the steering wheel and airbag, you also have to replace the two steering modules in the wheel (audio and speed), the slipring and the connecting line. Then you have to unplug the MFL module permanently under the drivers dash and run two jumpers between pins in MFL connector for power and ground. Then run two separate wires from the MFL connector to the cruise control and the ibus with wires removed from the new slipring connector.

I will give the pin outs, cross connects and slipring wires you will need to remove from the connector coming from the slipring. This wiring mod is clean and does not involve cutting, splicing or h-tapping any wires and can easily be reversed in minutes. Essentially you are bypassing the MFL module under the dash, because they are already built into the audio and speed control modules in the new wheel.

You will also have to upgrade your cruise control module behind the drivers foot rest. You can find the newer CCM on ebay for ~$30. This will eliminate the need for the additional button on the dash and is required for the cruise control to work correctly with the new wheel. I will provide the part number with the hardware and software numbers needed - these numbers are displayed on the module.

Here is my parts list:
32342228670 Wheel - w/o phone
32342229130 Airbag
32341094261 Slip Ring
61312489879 Radio Module - w/o phone
61312695126 Speed Control Module - w/o phone
61102493715 Connecting line- w/o phone
65718375497 Cruise Control Module HW:07 SW:04

[FredRC]

Write a DIY with some pictures man, I`m sure a lot of people will benefit from your work !

Thanks for sharing !

[carlos1212]

I think you guys are misunderstanding him. What he did was retrofit a 09/97-03/99 into a 96 model.

both of this models have single stage airbags and not dual stage, which seem to be the big issue when retrofitting steering wheels.

went back to the top to re-read the post and I guess I really didn't pay attention the first time.

[jamfool]

I think you guys are misunderstanding him. What he did was retrofit a 09/97-03/99 into a 96 model.

both of this models have single stage airbags and not dual stage, which seem to be the big issue when retrofitting steering wheels.

No I have not
And no it is not a big issue since both wheels have single stage airbag. The big issue would be to retrofit a newer wheel with dual stage.

The main issue here was the stalk/cruise.

Well done anyway OP, the 4 wheels one looks so outdated.

[Qsilver7]

Actually the deal here was that the control module for the MFL steering wheel is in two different locations. It wasn't about the air bag being single or dual stage...it was more about the MFL-CM (multi-function steering wheel control module).

There is a build date split of 9/1996. Before 9/96, the MFL control module is located underneath the dash...and AFTER 9/96 the MFL control module is incorporated into the steering wheel.

The OP was installing the 9/96-3/99 single stage steering wheel where the MFL-CM is incorporated into the steering wheel...into an e39 that has the MFL-CM located under the dash. This means that none of the buttons on the steering wheel can communicate with the control modules that requires them to function. The OP needed to make connections to the BUS system so that the steering wheel could communicate with the car.

[540-S3]

Qsilver7 always helpful as usual.

Here are some pics of the refurbished single stage wheel I purchased from a guy in Germany. I think he sells the complete wheel, but I only bought the wheel without any modules or airbag. His eBay name is tainik

Steering wheel was re-wrapped with new black leather - plain leather on the top and bottom and perforated leather at the sides. It also comes with 3-color M-stitching.


Closeup of the perforated leather.


Notice the slipring is mounted outside the wheel. For the modification you will open white/black pigtail you see hanging and remove 2 leads.

[540-S3]

Recap:
This upgrade replaces the single stage 4-spoke wheel to the single stage 3-spoke sport wheel for pre 9/96 production E39s.

I was able to get my conversion done with no issues and all functions working correctly. This also resolves the issue with the recirculation system coming on at random. This took a lot of research, misinformation, trial and error to figure out, but it is really a simple mod. No wires were cut, soldered or H-tapped.

Sport Wheels:
[09/97-03/99]
P/N 32 34 2 228 670 M-Sport Wheel w/o phone buttons [09/97-03/99]
P/N 32 34 2 228 671 M-Sport Wheel w/ phone buttons [09/97-03/99]
P/N 32 34 2 229 130 M-Sport Airbag single-stage [09/96-03/99]
Either wheel can be retrofitted as long as you get the correct connecting line, radio and speed module for either the 670 or 671 wheel. Slip ring is the same for both wheels.

My Parts List:
32342228670 Wheel - w/o phone
32342229130 Airbag
32341094261 Slip Ring
61312489879 Radio Module - w/o phone
61312695126 Speed Control Module - w/o phone
61102493715 Connecting line- w/o phone
65718375497 Cruise Control Module HW:07 SW:04

Cruise Control Upgrade:
I removed a CCM PN 65718396062 HW:5 SW:03 and installed PN 65718375497 HW:07 SW:04. Part was $30 on eBay. The cruise button in the dash trim piece is now unplugged.

MFL Jumpers:
I permanently unplugged the MFL module from under the dash. On the 26-pin MFL connector I jumpered pins 1 and 3 (wheel power) and pins 2 and 4 (wheel ground).

Slip Ring Mod:
I removed the black cruise wire and the white IBUS wire coming from the 6-pin slip ring connector. This is the pigtail coming out of the slip ring - see pic above. Leave the female pin on each wire.

Note:
I ran the same type wire I used for the jumpers to make connections from the MFL plug to the wires removed from the slip ring connector. The wire was single strand 22/24-gauge. It fit snugly into the MFL connector as jumpers and into the pins I removed from the slip ring.

Cruise Connection:
I inserted the jumper wire into pin 5 of the MFL connector and ran it to the black cruise wire removed from the slip ring. Insert the jumper wire into the pin of the black wire and heat shrink jumper wire and pin together.

IBUS Connection:
I inserted the jumper wire into pin 6 of the MFL connector and ran it to the black cruise wire removed from the slip ring. Insert the jumper wire into the pin of the black wire and heat shrink jumper wire and pin together.

[MarlberCruz]

Nice job 540-S3 !
I purchased the same steering wheel as you did, it looks amazing!
But everyone tells me that I wont be able to install it on my car (2003 e39 540ia).
Any thoughts or insight you could share with me?

[noodlesandsam]

You still will not be able to. In theory anything is possible, but why do this? I paid $254 for a 2002 540i m sport wheel, and installed it. Sell the one you have and get the right wheel. I think we talked about this before. Sell the one you have to get the right one. Also, the later wheel is a little fatter, and feels better. I know, I have one of each.

[MarlberCruz]

I have the one that looks like the e46 M3 steering wheel currently installed. But I want to install the one above that I bought. I have the exact same one as in the pics above and I prefer its look and the layout of the buttons is more comfortable to me (having driven an e38 with that wheel).

[S.Hafsmo]

Would this procedure work on a 94 740i? The car is currenly fitted like this (stock radio/steering wheel):


Or are there other differences on older E38s?

[S.Hafsmo]

Okay, I've followed the described procedure, and all that's left is the cruise control module.
Where is the damn module? Thought it would be in the driver side footwell, but is that only on the E39?
There are no modules in mine..

[S.Hafsmo]

Thanks to Q I've found the CC module in the E-box under the hood.
Attachment 495629
Attachment 495630

I seem to have had an older module than OP.
Modules.jpg

I also followed the above procedure, just without the desired result.
Here are the jumpers on the MFL connector, jumped between pin 1 - 3, and 2-4. pin 5 and 6 are to be connected to the slip-ring.
Jumpers.jpg
Since the procedure above says to connect both to the black wire (typo, I assume?), I followed this statement,

Slip Ring Mod:
I removed the black cruise wire and the white IBUS wire coming from the 6-pin slip ring connector.

And connected pin 5 to the black wire, and pin 6 to the white wire.

Slip ring connector,
Slip ring plug.jpg
connected,
20140306_161740.jpg

The M-Sport steering wheel 1/0 button now illuminates the CC light in the dash, but I cannot engage the CC. Either I've done something wrong, or there are other problems.
The radio controls don't seem to work either, but then again, I don't know if the radio installed actually supports MFSW as it's not the original radio.

[S.Hafsmo]

Re-installed the old CC-module, and connected the dash button again. The steering wheel buttons now works, but CC must be activated with the dash button first.
I assume it might be some incompatibility as my original CC-module was an older version than the one mentioned by OP.

[Sachin2080]

I got Bmw e39 540i 1997 with 4 spoke multifunction single stage steering wheel. I have recently bought a used M sports 3 spoke single stage steering wheel. The car is originally installed with Cruise control module with HW: 07 and SW: 04. I do have the button on dash to activate and deactivate cruise control. My 4 spoke steering wheel only got 0 button instead of I/O. The M sports steering wheel got I/O button.

I see on ebay people selling Cruise Control module with HW: 08 SW: 04. If I buy this updated module would I be able to use I/O button on my new steering wheel to activate and deactivate cruise control and I could eliminate the button on dash to activate and deactivate cruise control?

[nyc951]

Actually the deal here was that the control module for the MFL steering wheel is in two different locations...

Calling Q:

I've very impressed by your detailed postings of the e39 and was hoping to ask for your help about the e39 heated steering wheel button. Is that button a simple momentary button that sends a signal to the heated steering wheel's PCB board?

I am trying to retrofit heating to a steering wheel that did not originally have heat (e39 M5 wheel). I have the controls from a 4-spoke e39 steering wheel that DID have heat. It has the little round button with the picture of the heated steering wheel. My question is: Is that heated steering wheel button a simple momentary switch? Would the "R/T" telephone button that is standard on the e39 3-spoke steering wheel's button pod be able to activate the heated steering wheel? I already have the PCB board and the heating element from the 4-spoke e39 heated steering wheel.

Thank you!

[Qsilver7]

Calling Q:

I've very impressed by your detailed postings of the e39 and was hoping to ask for your help about the e39 heated steering wheel button. Is that button a simple momentary button that sends a signal to the heated steering wheel's PCB board?

I am trying to retrofit heating to a steering wheel that did not originally have heat (e39 M5 wheel). I have the controls from a 4-spoke e39 steering wheel that DID have heat. It has the little round button with the picture of the heated steering wheel. My question is: Is that heated steering wheel button a simple momentary switch? Would the "R/T" telephone button that is standard on the e39 3-spoke steering wheel's button pod be able to activate the heated steering wheel? I already have the PCB board and the heating element from the 4-spoke e39 heated steering wheel.

Thank you!

I'm not sure if what you have would work or not...this is the info I have about the heated steering wheel...which also uses a different slip ring:

[iViLe]

Just a bit of information, the steering wheel I had used 4 wires between each of the button left and right sides( I'm guessing it was a late late version), this didn't work at all, but I later found out (BMW WDS)that the 4 pin connector that goes from the coil spring to the back of the right side buttons needed pins 1 and 2 swapped around(ground and cruise). I also had to modify the connector to make it fit in the connector, obviously you could most likely just buy the correct coil spring to fit this wheel. Then all that I needed to do was connect that same white wire(grey on my car) to the I/Bus like in this video.

[Jpokeefe]

Hopefully this thread isn't dead...

If someone can please answer my question that would be great.

I have a pre 09/96 540 with the MFL and 4 spoke, NOT HEATED. Is the slip ring on this the same as the slip ring on the sport wheel? They have different part numbers but they look exactly the same. I ask because the sport wheel I got has a broken slip ring and I want to know if i can just put the old one on there.