Retrofitting Illuminated Shift Knob

[e36 enthusiast]

Hey guys. I received the illuminated shift knob that I ordered from bav auto to replace the original non-illuminated shift knob in my 95' e36 M3. I called bav auto before I placed the order and basically told them I'm not that handy and don't know how to retrofit the shift knob. They told me the illuminated shift knob came with instructions...which it did not.:mad I haven't been able to find anything super helpful online so I'm hoping one of you guys could help me out. I've removed the old shift knob, boot, OBC, and driver side foot-well trim. It is my understanding that I need to some way or another use the dimming switch...I just have no idea how. Please help.:help

Thanks!

[CMG]

Tgere are diy about this very thing here.

[difeliciantonio]

I have heard iy gets wired into the cig lighter light bulb wiring as that's on the dimming circut and right there

[Achtung911]

I cut the plug on the shift knob, then ran the wires to the cigarette lighter. If you pull the cigarette lighter up you'll see two wires that plug into it. I it's put the wires from the shift knob into the cigarette lighter contact (where the lighters plugs were) and re fit the lighter plugs over top of them. The wire colors should be identical

[shaft9ii]

Here you go: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?328448-DIY-Installation-of-a-lighted-shift-knob&highlight=knob

[e36 enthusiast]

I cut the plug on the shift knob, then ran the wires to the cigarette lighter. If you pull the cigarette lighter up you'll see two wires that plug into it. I it's put the wires from the shift knob into the cigarette lighter contact (where the lighters plugs were) and re fit the lighter plugs over top of them. The wire colors should be identical

Do you think you could be a little more specific on what exactly you did? Thanks! Also, does your cigarette light not work anymore?

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Here you go: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?328448-DIY-Installation-of-a-lighted-shift-knob&highlight=knob

Thanks for the link. I looked at this earlier however and I couldn't follow the guy...I feel like he has an extra cable that I don't...

[shaft9ii]

Ahhh, hmmm. So what do you have for wires that come off the knob? Is a wire that switches with headlight power, and another that dims up and down? if that's the case then it's easy as pie, just look for the easiest location of those wires, sounds like the illuminated ring for the cigarette lighter, or at the radio harness.

[e36 enthusiast]

Ahhh, hmmm. So what do you have for wires that come off the knob? Is a wire that switches with headlight power, and another that dims up and down? if that's the case then it's easy as pie, just look for the easiest location of those wires, sounds like the illuminated ring for the cigarette lighter, or at the radio harness.

yes. there is a brown and a grey/red wire that come off of the shift knob that match the ones that go to the cigarette lighter light.