DIY: E36 OEM Underhood Service Light Retrofit Install - OEM Part Number: 63319401943

[Braymond141]

If you're looking for a little more light working under the hood in the dark, BMW has an answer for that. Standard equipment on very early E36, this underhood light kit is PNP with all models of E36.

OEM Part Number: 63319401943

Timelapse of the work involved. ~3-4 hours depending on how much time you put into wire routing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBsbMpJKsIc

Please note: BMW has instructions for this retrofit. The directions are for a different revision harness that uses alternate routing. You can modify the supplied wiring to match the original, or go with the revision they provide shown here.



Start by removing the hood insulation.





Thread the light connector portion of the harness through the hood into the factory provided hood light insert. Leave yourself some slack and note that the connector end is towards the front of the hood, not the trailing edge.



Route your wiring through the hood strut wire holder (61668363924)



Wiring will go through the cowl engine harness casing. Two screws hold the case to the cowl. You can pry up on the cowl cover to access them (it won't damage the cowl if you are mindful).



Only the forward portion of the case needs to be released. Avoid releasing the rear tabs as it will greatly increase difficulty reinstalling and isn't necessary.





Clip the two zip ties holding the driver side wiring to the cowl and firewall.



Feeding the wiring through isn't too bad if you use the right (non-marring) approach. A welding rod is shown here fed through and then pulled back through with harness in tow.







Remove the engine harness round plugs and pop the clips that release the lower portion of those plugs. The wiring routes along the lower side of the fuse box to the front grommet.



The upper half of the Fuse box needs to be removed to access the wiring.





I chose to wire mine into an always on fuse. You can choose a key on power only if you like. For always on, I used fuse [NODE="33"]E90 M3 | E92 M3 | E93 M3 Parts Wanted[/NODE] which is shared with the glovebox compartment.



An OEM replacement terminal was on hand for this. Releasing the installed terminal for the fuse requires a pin removal tool and removing the plastic lock.





The single car side wire was clipped off the connector and the end stripped. The new engine hood light power wire got the same treatment. The two were combined and crimped into the replacement terminal.



The fuse box grommet has provisions to add wiring to it. I used one to enter the underhood harness wiring into the fuse box and the other to exit out of for the radiator support switch.





Fuse block reinstalled and the fuse box all resealed.



Engine harness reinstalled and the zip ties earlier cut replaced.



The last part of this is to route the harness to the radiator switch. You can hide it under the body harness wiring along the driver side fender and through the radiator support clips.







The switch body requires enlarging a hole already present in the radiator support. There's also a provision for the screw needed to secure it. A 3/8 82degree chamfer bit works excellent for this.





Insert the switch, install the screw and connect the switch to the harness.



Done!



https://www.msportparts.com/collecti...t-retrofit-kit

[RRSperry]

Thanks for that Brett, newer guys will find that helpful. I've had it for years.

[propcar]

Excellent photos/documentation as usual!

[ZJon]

Looks like unobtanium?

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...e/63319401943/

[golgo13]

That's pretty cool! Can you use an LED festoon bulb there? Would give a bit more light for old drivers like me.

[Braymond141]

Looks like unobtanium?

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...e/63319401943/

https://www.msportparts.com/collecti...t-retrofit-kit

- - - Updated - - -

That's pretty cool! Can you use an LED festoon bulb there? Would give a bit more light for old drivers like me.

You can! I have some Hella 5k LED bulbs here to try soon.

[M3n00b]

This is good stuff Brett. I was watching some dude on youtube who spent like $150k on his e36 and he name-dropped you so I came in to say hi.

[Braymond141]

This is good stuff Brett. I was watching some dude on youtube who spent like $150k on his e36 and he name-dropped you so I came in to say hi.

lol.

I'd rather not be associated with that car. I thought I did, and then he started having shit mechanics work on it.

[pbonsalb]

I have some Hella 5k LED bulbs here to try soon.

That was going to be my comment. I would not bother doing this unless I was going to use a modern bulb. The glovebox flashlight also deserves an upgrade.

[golgo13]

This is good stuff Brett. I was watching some dude on youtube who spent like $150k on his e36 and he name-dropped you so I came in to say hi.

Can you PM me a link to this car, please?

I have to see this....

[M3C]

Here is mine with Osram Cool White LED, after this regular bulb was like candle light.

[Hagasan41]

Very cool! Really tidy engine bays too.

On another note, where are you guys getting the strut tower caps? I know Brett used to make some but any other options?

[Braymond141]

I still make them. I was using the wrong material that warped during normal driving so I’m playing with new materials. Just printed a carbon fiber version.

[M3n00b]

lol.

I'd rather not be associated with that car. I thought I did, and then he started having shit mechanics work on it.

Yeah I've watched 90% of his videos on the e36 over the last week or so and at first I was super impressed but the more I watch the more of a dbag this guy appears to be.

[Nova1]

Can you PM me a link to this car, please?

I have to see this....

I assume it’s Obsessed Garage?

[M3n00b]

Excellent guess dude.

[Hagasan41]

I still make them. I was using the wrong material that warped during normal driving so I’m playing with new materials. Just printed a carbon fiber version.

Sign me up!

[Braymond141]

Yeah I've watched 90% of his videos on the e36 over the last week or so and at first I was super impressed but the more I watch the more of a dbag this guy appears to be.

Loool

[RRSperry]

I bought the strut tower caps that came from a Z8. pn 31 33 1 096 046 It fits fine with the MotorSport strut bar.

[M3C]

Z8 shown in my pictures above as well.

[craigjimc]

Search e-bay for "E36 flashlight upgrade". had mine updated with LED & Li battery. fantastic!