mysterious part

[WillDV]

I've got a small panel at the very back of the center console right below the fresh air vents to the back seat. It has a small metal circle and an LED mounted in it. I pulled the panel off and there are wires connected to the small metal doohickie, looks like some sort of a sensor. Anyone have any idea what that part, and what the LED is for?

[atl530i]

I think that is the LED for the alarm. I have one on that black panel on my 530i. Check out realoem.com to see where it goes though just to be sure.

[Uriah]

Your factory phone wires were back there somewhere, and they also had a cigarette lighter, oh, and a cassette holder (in place of the phone) that was also backlite.

[WillDV]

how do I activate the alarm? When I bought the car, I only recieved one key, and it doesn't have a key fob with it. Is the alarm activated when the doors are locked? What can set the alarm off?

[Uriah]

Just caught that, I thought you were talking about IN BACK of the console, like the back seat...

Yeah, the little light in your airvent (by the windshield) is for the alarm. I was trying to figure why you had one elsewhere.

If you have the factory alarm, the key is like 150 bucks at the dealer. Mine, if I don't use the buttons will kick the alarm in when I lock the door, and if it goes off, I need to stick the key in the ignition and turn it on to shut it off.

[atl530i]

There is a red LED on the back of my console that I thought was for the alarm. There is no LED anywhere else in the car. Now I'm confused.

[WillDV]

Just caught that, I thought you were talking about IN BACK of the console, like the back seat...


yes, I am

[Uriah]

OK, now I don't have a clue... Does it look factory or aftermarket?

Alt, you don't have the little beacon in your centervent in the dash? Yours in the back of the console as well? Maybe a aftermarket (dealer installed) alarm?

[WillDV]

I was wondering if it was my alarm too, but after locking the doors and watching it, it doesn't flash or turn on. Maybe its burned, but that doesn't happen very often to an LED does it?

[Qsilver7]

FIRST...the E34 540i (and some 530i) have a TOTALLY different alarm system...so don't try to compare the two different systems. :)

Yes, that red LED at the rear of the center console and small round thingy is connected to the BMW/Alpine keyless entry system. I bet if you lift your rear seat...the control unit should be mounted to the rear fuse box on the driver's side (unless a previous owner removed the control unit to sell on ebay). The LED illuminates when the car has been armed & double-locked with the 3 button rectangular remote fob. The round circle on the same panel is the microphone for the glass breakage sensor.

If you lift the seat and the control unit is there...go to this link for information how the system works: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/739005/3

And to use the system...all you'll need is to purchase one of those 3 button remotes (usually found on ebay)...or you can get a new one from www.keylessride.com .

(the pics below...and more...are some of the things you'll see at the link provided above)
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/739000-739999/739005_36.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/739000-739999/739005_32_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/739000-739999/739005_16_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/739000-739999/739005_127_full.jpg

[flyeryan]

I've got a small panel at the very back of the center console right below the fresh air vents to the back seat. It has a small metal circle and an LED mounted in it. I pulled the panel off and there are wires connected to the small metal doohickie, looks like some sort of a sensor. Anyone have any idea what that part, and what the LED is for?

I really think you're looking at the rear seat cigarette lighter. At least that's what mine has where you're describing. The LED is to gently illuminate the ring around where the lighter plugs into the jack.

A photo would really help things, though.

[moroza]

Cigarette lighter, yes. Evidently our cars have two.

[Uriah]

Cigarette lighter, yes. Evidently our cars have two.

Some of them did, my 540i don't, but my 735iL did... need to stick one in mine for the cellphone charger, but somebody added an extra one I use UNDER the backseat. It works.

[Qsilver7]

I've got a small panel at the very back of the center console right below the fresh air vents to the back seat. It has a small metal circle AND an LED mounted in it. I pulled the panel off and there are wires connected to the small metal doohickie, looks like some sort of a sensor. Anyone have any idea what that part, and what the LED is for?

okay, okay, okay...this is kind of funny :rofl :rofl :rofl

Some see an empty cigarette lighter socket from WillDV's description...and some see the keyless entry LED and sensor. But I'm going to stick with giving WillDV the benefit of the doubt that he can easily recognize what an empty cigarette lighter socket looks like. Because so many of us have seen a car cig lighter before...it should be easily recognizable...unlike the keyless entry LED & microphone where some cars don't have it and some do.

Since WillDV described the small circle and LED as seperate (he grammatically seperated them with "AND") I will assume he is describing them as two seperate entities...again moving my assumption away from him describing a cig lighter and more toward the keyless entry. I think most would describe an empty cig lighter socket as an "illuminated small circle"...basically describing it as one complete item...not two seperate items. :)

Again, here is a pic of the panel in my 95 525iT...and as you can see...there is no cig lighter for the rear passengers (unlike my e32 & e38 7 series which had/has a cig lighter in that location). I guess we'll have to wait for WillDV to repost so he can clarify his description for us. :)

Just my 02. :D

[Qsilver7]

... need to stick one in mine for the cellphone charger, but somebody added an extra one I use UNDER the backseat. It works.
There is a BMW adapter that plugs into the socket in the glove box (connects to the flash light socket)...it might be a nice gift from SANTA if you require a power plug for peripheral electronic devices up front...and you perfer not to use your cig lighter socket.

It is BMW part # 82 11 0 004 075 and runs approx $8-$15:
http://www.bavauto.com/assets/imglib500/82110004075.jpg http://www.europeanautosource.com/images/auxadapter_main.jpg
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/n/n/129.png

[Uriah]

There is a BMW adapter that plugs into the socket in the glove box (connects to the flash light socket)...it might be a nice gift from SANTA if you require a power plug for peripheral electronic devices up front...and you perfer not to use your cig lighter socket.

It is BMW part # 82 11 0 004 075 and runs approx $8-$15:
http://www.bavauto.com/assets/imglib500/82110004075.jpg http://www.europeanautosource.com/images/auxadapter_main.jpg
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/n/n/129.png

I've got one of those things, but prefer to just keep my flashlight plugged in.
I still need to add the extra lighter (Real Oem has the part number for the correct socket and panel), along with an extra one in my glovebox for the cellphone charger.

I already wired a dual socket in the trunk, and made it switched power (hot with key on, the other socket is full time hot) so I can keep my BMW Coolbag plugged in when I'm camping, or whatever.

One can never have too many sockets.

[WillDV]

:D Mr Qsilver7 is exactly correct, to all the rest... ok, I realize I'm canadian, but really, am I stupid enough to not know what a cigarette lighter is ???? rofl. Thanks Qsilver7, that helps me out alot. Now I just have to figure out why the LED in the back doesn't flash. My dad set the alarm off on monday so I know it works, I just don't know how its tripped. Does the alarm beep or flash the lights when you arm it? I know on the E39 it flashes the lights and the alarm chirps when you arm it. And wow, what an ear piercing scream that alarm puts out. Apparently trying to start the car frequently when the immobiliser is activated, sets off the alarm. Ok so that little metal circle is a mic, good to know, now HOW do I remove my back seat? I was told you only have to lift up on it, and I tried, but it seems that I was having to use too much force, and it still wouldn't lift up. anyone?

[moroza]

You have to use a lot of force. The clips are quite sturdy, so don't worry about breaking them. I find that jerks work better than a steady pull.

I didn't mean to imply that you can't tell a cig lighter when you see one. Nor does it have anything to do with you being Canadian :). I grew up there at one point, anyway. The suggestion was based on the assumption that nobody would expect a cig lighter back there. I've certainly never seen one for the backseat on any other car.

[Qsilver7]

1. I just have to figure out why the LED in the back doesn't flash...I just don't know how its tripped.
2. Does the alarm beep or flash the lights when you arm it? I know on the E39 it flashes the lights and the alarm chirps when you arm it.
3. HOW do I remove my back seat? I was told you only have to lift up on it, and I tried, but it seems that I was having to use too much force...

ANSWERS:
1. That LED and microphone are only activated when you use the 2nd button on the remote fob (the car's key does NOT activate that red LED although the key still double locks the car)

2. This older BMW/Alpine keyless entry system has an audible alert siren/horn that you can turn off/on to let you know it's been set...there is NO visible (flashing light) alert. I posted this link in my previous post (which has the instructions on how the system works): http://www.cardomain.com/ride/739005/3

3. To remove a "difficult" seat...here's my suggestion: take a seat right in the center of the rear bench with one leg on each side of the tranny hump with your body pressed against the upper seat cushion, raise your butt about 5" above the bottom cushion place your hands where approximately would be the center between your legs if you were the left and right rear passenger (see pic below) get a nice grip on each side of the lower cushion and give a good yank upward to release the bottom cushion from its clips in the lower cushion's seat riser

Now carefully remove yourself from the rear seat...once out...reach back in and remove or lift the bottom seat cushion out of the way. Again, if you go to the link I provided...you will see pics of the rear seat and the keyless entry control unit etc.

Good luck. :)

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/739000-739999/739005_77_full.jpg

[Qsilver7]

I've got one of those things, but prefer to just keep my flashlight plugged in.
I still need to add the extra lighter (Real Oem has the part number for the correct socket and panel), along with an extra one in my glovebox for the cellphone charger.

I already wired a dual socket in the trunk, and made it switched power (hot with key on, the other socket is full time hot) so I can keep my BMW Coolbag plugged in when I'm camping, or whatever.

One can never have too many sockets.

...you have been a busy busy man! :D The extra "switched" outlet in the trunk was a good idea...that way you can't "forget" that something is plugged into it and accidentally run the battery down. ;)

[flyeryan]

:D Mr Qsilver7 is exactly correct, to all the rest... ok, I realize I'm canadian, but really, am I stupid enough to not know what a cigarette lighter is ???? rofl. Thanks Qsilver7, that helps me out alot. Now I just have to figure out why the LED in the back doesn't flash. My dad set the alarm off on monday so I know it works, I just don't know how its tripped. Does the alarm beep or flash the lights when you arm it? I know on the E39 it flashes the lights and the alarm chirps when you arm it. And wow, what an ear piercing scream that alarm puts out. Apparently trying to start the car frequently when the immobiliser is activated, sets off the alarm. Ok so that little metal circle is a mic, good to know, now HOW do I remove my back seat? I was told you only have to lift up on it, and I tried, but it seems that I was having to use too much force, and it still wouldn't lift up. anyone?

Sorry, didn't mean to imply that you were stupid. I know I've had days where I wouldn't recognize what a cig. lighter is! I've never seen that setup, though, so I guess you can call it ignorance on my part. I learn something new everyday...

[fm.illuminatus]

I've got a small panel at the very back of the center console right below the fresh air vents to the back seat. It has a small metal circle and an LED mounted in it. I pulled the panel off and there are wires connected to the small metal doohickie, looks like some sort of a sensor. Anyone have any idea what that part, and what the LED is for?

I think that's your alarm light. Put it back together, go outside your car, set the alarm, and look in the back window. It should flash red periodically.

[fm.illuminatus]

Ok, after reading this entire thread now I'm just confused. :confused

[attack eagle]

I've got a small panel at the very back of the center console right below the fresh air vents to the back seat. It has a small metal circle and an LED mounted in it. I pulled the panel off and there are wires connected to the small metal doohickie, looks like some sort of a sensor. Anyone have any idea what that part, and what the LED is for?

EDIT: Q7 is right on target yet again.

Mine has the exact same thing.

What I do know, is that I am going to be taking that panel off to replace it with the cigarette lighter version soon. the panel is only about $8-9 dollars ,and i already have mine in hand. Just need to buy the actual lighter element (which BTW I can't seem to find in realoem), and I will probably get a universal power port (flap cover) or a ford element that has the 12V cover instead of a BMW lighter element.
I'm unsure as to whether I want to mount the LED and mic at this time or not. NO remote means it would be pointless at this time, especially as I don't know that I won't later go aftermarket 2 way.