I'm still new to BMW. I want to know if there is a switch or setting I'm missing that prevents the interior lighting from coming on when I turn off the car or open a door. My youngest thinks twisty roads and high RPM's are the best bedtime story, but I have to cancel the lights, flashing her and blinding me, 3 times to get a sleeping child out of the back seat. I know there are options if you have the software tools for programming the LCM, but I haven't wrapped my head around any of that yet? I'm hoping that I'm just a moron missing where a master switch (like most cars) is located. Thanks
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
2001 Salvage Title 540i
My build thread: https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...toive-decision
remove the bulb(s)?
Thanks, but I'd like them to turn on when I do want them, like when I press the button near the rear view mirror
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
2001 Salvage Title 540i
My build thread: https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...toive-decision
Unsure if this works for the e39 but I know other bimmers it's possible.
You can hold the center light switch with the door open until they turn off and they won't turn back on until you manually turn them on. I'm not sure on the specific period of time but it has been mentioned on the forums before.
Cheers
Mat
Originally Posted by hakhawkOriginally Posted by geargrinder
Thanks! I thought there must be something like that. I'll give it a shot
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
2001 Salvage Title 540i
My build thread: https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...toive-decision
Yes...it's in the owners manual. A brief 3 second push & hold will initiate the interior lights to REMAIN OFF at all times until you press the button again to re-activate them. I didn't get a copy from my e39 owners manual...but I do have a pic from my e38 & e53 manuals:
{E53}
{E38}
Last edited by Qsilver7; 08-19-2017 at 11:32 AM.
Become a BMW CCA member! Click HERE to join and feel free to use my BMW CCA member #191509 as a referral.
2015 650ix GC (Moonstone/Cohiba Brown) <<~>> 2014 X5 50i (Space Gray/Mocha)
Thank you all for the help! My car didn't come with a spare tire, attached bumper or functional glove box, it certainly didn't come with an owner manual.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
2001 Salvage Title 540i
My build thread: https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...toive-decision
Yep, you can turn them on, don't release the button until the lights go out.
Set the controls for the heart of the sun
I use that feature all the time. I don't care to be lit up when I'm getting out of the car at night which would also be bad for your night vision. Been this way in all my cars for over 30 years.
2000 528i sport
EMP Stewart water pump
Dice iPod adapter
Alpine amplifiers
MB Quart speakers
MTX BGE12 subwoofer
AudioControl EQL equalizer
I had no idea about that feature. Learn sunthin every day.
2003 M3CicM6 TiAg
2002 540iT Sport Vortech S/C 6MT LSD TiAg
2008 Audi A3 2.0T DSG (the daily beater)
2014 BMW X1 xDrive28i (wifemobile)
Former:
1985 MB Euro graymarket 300SL
1995.5 Audi S6 Avant (utility/winter billetturbobattlewagen)
Turning off the interior lights is also helpful when detailing the vehicle and you have the doors open. Every little bit helps with preventing additional discharging of the battery. I'm sure we've all read stories of owners draining their battery when doing detail work. I learned this lesson way back with my e32 735iL & e34 25iT...when detailing, if I left the doors open...Id' make sure to turn the interior lights off. Unfortunately...I've never had the need for nocturnal "stealth" mode.
{the e32/e34 has a 3 position switch...position 2 turns the lights off just like the press & hold procedure for the e38/e39/e53}
Last edited by Qsilver7; 08-20-2017 at 03:48 PM.
Become a BMW CCA member! Click HERE to join and feel free to use my BMW CCA member #191509 as a referral.
2015 650ix GC (Moonstone/Cohiba Brown) <<~>> 2014 X5 50i (Space Gray/Mocha)
Yeah I usually count on the sleep timer to put the interior lights out when detailing or doing interior repairs, however often you 'disturb a door' and wake it up again, I'm actually glad to know this trick as I'll absolutely use it now...
I actually have been frustrated by having to always constantly manually turn lights off again for stuff like this, particularly when doing stuff like fine tuning my aftermarket DSP system, which entails sometimes opening/closing doors to put test microphones in the car, then do a series of adjustments, then climb in and 'audition' results etc. etc Or when doing my repeated sunroof/headliner removals where I'd continuously trigger the wake up by opening a door...
2003 M3CicM6 TiAg
2002 540iT Sport Vortech S/C 6MT LSD TiAg
2008 Audi A3 2.0T DSG (the daily beater)
2014 BMW X1 xDrive28i (wifemobile)
Former:
1985 MB Euro graymarket 300SL
1995.5 Audi S6 Avant (utility/winter billetturbobattlewagen)
Bookmarks