That is next in the list but been busy around dome lights and some other minor things.
That is how I did the E39 dome light but was not sure if every time the front center light is on should also the rear interior lights turn on?
Will post some pictures of my work later.
1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio Alpinweiί III on Schwarz German spec 1 of 12
SMG SRA PDC AUC OBC GSM HK UURS IHKA FGR MFL
IG: https://www.instagram.com/iflok/
Would this install be for ANY e36?
except cabrio... they have thinner lamp.
Doesn't the E36 dome light have a 10W bulb as well? That's what I remember, and what my owner's manuals claim. The E39 dome light does have better inner reflectors, and I also like the buttons!
Last edited by johnf; 08-09-2011 at 03:15 PM.
That's good to know. I'd like to put the reading lights on a load-sensing timer so that they will give, say, 15 minutes of light at any time without turning on the ignition. That will have to be a project for next summer.
I've just done it by using E39 diodes on E36 interior light.
Nice work! Congrats!
very good tutorial
Ok! I really need help! I have the E39 lamp. I have cut and soldered the points to the best of my knowledge. At this point I need put into very simple terms where to put the wires together. Also, I dont understand the part about finding a wire inside the car I need more specifics please. here is the diagram. please if you can, look it over, and let me know what number to what number.
First the numbers (or pins) for E36 in your picture are wrong...they should be by pin numbers:
E36:
1. violet/white...12V for map lights
2. red/white...12V center button
3. brown/black...12V door open
4. brown...ground
5. brown/red...12V output when c. light is on
6. ...not used
Now have to ask did you modify the E39 light or you want to use it as is and most likely cause electric problems in your E36.
E39:
1. violet/white...map lights
2. brown...ground
3. ...
4. gray/red... leds
5. red/blue... door open
6.brown/red...light on when center button is pushed
Someone please correct me on E39 pins because I am not 100% positive.
I did this mod few months ago as per instructions on initial posts and about to mount it now. Just have done it slightly different.
Will post pictures later.
I almost forgott about pictures so took some now.
Pictures as I promised...all done from E39 M5 light and all the functions operable as in E36 M3 light, nothing missing plus the ambient orange leds are now extra, also iluminated buttons (warning!! do not attempt this at home).
I have removed the headlining so this is in the mounting process now with the rest of headlining projects.
Thanks to all who contributed, I could not have done without your help.
Ha I like the lit buttons. Did you modify the switches themselves, as on the E38/E39 they are momentary (sp?) swicthes in stead of the simple make/break contact ones we have.
In that last pic, I don't see the 2 ambient leds lit, only the button lights?
1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio Alpinweiί III on Schwarz German spec 1 of 12
SMG SRA PDC AUC OBC GSM HK UURS IHKA FGR MFL
IG: https://www.instagram.com/iflok/
MParaller,
switches have been modified to work as on/off instead of momentary.
The 3rd picture shows only iluminated buttons with ambient leds and lights off. Will post more pics when mounted back in the car.
Bianca98,
I di try to help you by describing pins for E36 and E39 on my previous post.
If you see the same names you just connect the wires together, for example map lights with map light, ground with ground etc.
If you do not see names matching this indicates you can not wire them together because they have to be modified.
How to modify please read the earlier posts from dancerst and others.
Ok, honestly, Im doing my best here guys. I think i thought this would be a straight forward, "cut here, tape here, and yer done" job, but there is just a little more going on here than I understand. That said. I got some connections figured out and need just a little more clarification. I have
violet/white to red/yellow(brownish on mine) and that is as you say the 12v for map lights
brown/black to red/blue which is the door open signal
Brown/red to brown/yellow which is the 12v for center button when on
Brown to brown which is the ground
That leaves one open wire on each side.
so, the red white on the E36 harness is supposed to go to the pin 3 ?INSIDE? the lamp, as in I need to run a bit of wire back to the inside where there was solder work?
and the gray/red on the E39 harness which is the illumination for the LEDs or ambient lighting (the whole reason for doing this, haha) and that has to go to the illumination wire for the sunroof switch? I have taken a photo of that as well if you can point that out to me as well, please! I really want to put my car back together.
So pin3 is in the lower right of these pin points, correct?
I have just applied E39 diodes in E36 dome light second time for my friend's coupe..
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