noob questions: center console button and port

[disccooker]

Hi guys, I RTFF and searched the forums and came up empty.

I just bought an 2002 E39 525iT, and it has some strange things i cannot identify in the center console. i should note this was equipped with phone, but i replaced the armrest with one without.

First is behind the ashtray under the sliding door there is a toggle button that looks like an antenna. it lights up amber when the dash lights are on. I thought it might be bluetooth but am not seeing any networks pop up when pressed.

the second is a strange port in the rear. pics show it has a spring-loaded cover, and it is smaller in diameter than a typical 12v "lighter" plug.

this port is wired to a standard brown BMW plug so it's definitely not aftermarket.

are these related? are they ancient communication ports or something?

is this something i can use? can i yank them all and custom fab 12V and usb ports?

[IAmATeaf]

The 2nd set of pics looks like some sort of micro cigarette lighter socket? Did a quick search on google and nothing came up so not too sure and can’t tell from the pics of its actual size.

[disccooker]

it's about half the diameter of a 12V socket. but larger than a 1/4" headphone / guitar jack

[Qsilver7]

One thing for certain...one of the previous owners was good with adding electronics and wiring them not to look like sorry hack jobs.

None of those are oe equipment. There is no electronic button for any oe item that would be placed in the cubby hole on the center console. And nothing electronic is installed as oe in the cubby hole for the rear seat passengers either. But kudos to the PO that appears to have done a good install...to bad they didn't leave clues as to what they were for.

Being a Touring...my guess would be that the socket in the rear cubby was probably for some type of electronic entertainment system.

You can see from the parts database that the compartment in the front center console is only optioned for the cubby (#10) behind the roll-up door or a cassette holder (#11). About a decade ago...there was also the TEC cup holder that could be installed there...but nothing electronic that is oe:

Same for the rear of the console...the only option was the small cubby (#6) or a cup holder (#7):

[jp5Touring]

That first pic of the cubby is oe, my alpine white touring has it also and so do a handul of other people. Question was asked before and don't recall if anyone had a answer.

[Solo12]

jp5Touring, do you mean the cubby is OE or the cubby with switches inside?

To me that button and the cutout/blank next to it scream of pre e39 design/manufacture. The shape of the button, the way it illuminates and the shape of the cutout reminds me of buttons on my old e28. I wonder the button and cutout are oe to an earlier generation BMW.

[schatzy62]

BMW dealers had Service Vehicles that they would send out to service customer cars. They were normally tourings. Exactly what the switch did i dont k ow and have not been able to find an answer to. Many of these vehicles also had a load speaker under the hood.

Do a search on the forums for service vehicle and you should find more info. I beleive i posted on this forum a fairly long post about all of this.

[tinius]

Hi guys, I RTFF and searched the forums and came up empty.

I just bought an 2002 E39 525iT, and it has some strange things i cannot identify in the center console. i should note this was equipped with phone, but i replaced the armrest with one without.

First is behind the ashtray under the sliding door there is a toggle button that looks like an antenna. it lights up amber when the dash lights are on. I thought it might be bluetooth but am not seeing any networks pop up when pressed.

the second is a strange port in the rear. pics show it has a spring-loaded cover, and it is smaller in diameter than a typical 12v "lighter" plug.

this port is wired to a standard brown BMW plug so it's definitely not aftermarket.

are these related? are they ancient communication ports or something?

is this something i can use? can i yank them all and custom fab 12V and usb ports?

Does the switch power the plug/port? Sould it have been power for a mobile ham/shortwave radio/antenna?

Sent from my SM-T710 using Tapatalk

[schatzy62]

BMW dealers had Service Vehicles that they would send out to service customer cars. They were normally tourings. Exactly what the switch did i dont k ow and have not been able to find an answer to. Many of these vehicles also had a load speaker under the hood.

Do a search on the forums for service vehicle and you should find more info. I beleive i posted on this forum a fairly long post about all of this.

Here are the links to my previous posts on the switch in the cubby

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...2#post29815092

Post #are 7320 and 7321

[schatzy62]

None of those are oe equipment. There is no electronic button for any oe item that would be placed in the cubby hole on the center console. And nothing electronic is installed as oe in the cubby hole for the rear seat passengers either.

.....

You can see from the parts database that the compartment in the front center console is only optioned for the cubby (#10) behind the roll-up door or a cassette holder (#11). About a decade ago...there was also the TEC cup holder that could be installed there...but nothing electronic that is oe:

Same for the rear of the console...the only option was the small cubby (#6) or a cup holder (#7):

There are two part numbers for #10 51168159698 - CENTER CONSOLE STORING PARTITION, CENTRE, 51168210674 - CENTER CONSOLE STORING PARTITION, CENTRE for options code S190A which has to do with some sort of Intercom System on the E39.

And there is a number of people that report having this switch in the cubby. So although not a option that is for the general public, it seems that there was an OEM option that had the switch there.

[jp5Touring]

jp5Touring, do you mean the cubby is OE or the cubby with switches inside?

To me that button and the cutout/blank next to it scream of pre e39 design/manufacture. The shape of the button, the way it illuminates and the shape of the cutout reminds me of buttons on my old e28. I wonder the button and cutout are oe to an earlier generation BMW.

That the switch and cubby are oe. Check out the other thread schatzy62 posted,has more info. IIRC most were tourings and most were individuals.

[StRaNgEdAyS]

Perhaps searching your VIN in bmwdecoder might give a clue if it is an OEM option?

Sent from my G8141 using Tapatalk

[jp5Touring]

Perhaps searching your VIN in bmwdecoder might give a clue if it is an OEM option?

Sent from my G8141 using Tapatalk

tried that,no such luck

[schatzy62]

As my garage is to cold to work in I spent some time going thru some wiring diagrams on newtis.info for a 525 Touring and I found that there is a Intercom Control Module A413. Here is some information on it.

Intercom Module A4113 is located in the spare tire area of the car, right side

The intercom System consisted of the Control Module A413
CUyOnOjr.png


Drivers Door Microphone B402, Drivers Door Microphone Amplifier B432, Passenger Door Microphone B403, Passenger Door Microphone Amplifier A433, no locations pictures available.


Hand Held Microphone B400
CUTL2WTp.png

It still does not necessarily explain the switch but it is interesting.

[schatzy62]

disccooker would you be willing to give us the last 7 of your VIN number so we can check the options your car has listed?

[Qsilver7]

There are two part numbers for #10 51168159698 - CENTER CONSOLE STORING PARTITION, CENTRE, 51168210674 - CENTER CONSOLE STORING PARTITION, CENTRE for options code S190A which has to do with some sort of Intercom System on the E39.

And there is a number of people that report having this switch in the cubby. So although not a option that is for the general public, it seems that there was an OEM option that had the switch there.

Great info...will have to add it to my mental rolodex.

[amancuso]

Great info...will have to add it to my mental rolodex.

One of the BMW dealers here has a silver e39 touring servicemobil.

[disccooker]

yeah i ran it before posting. the items in bold jumped out at me but are nothing. didn't notice the s940A until below.

disccooker would you be willing to give us the last 7 of your VIN number so we can check the options your car has listed?

Perhaps searching your VIN in bmwdecoder might give a clue if it is an OEM option?

VIN WBA~GD86491
Type Code DS43
E Series E39 (2)
Series 5
Type TOUR
Model 525I TOURING (USA)
Steering LL
Doors 5
Engine M54
Displacement 2.50
Power 141
Drive HECK
Transmission AUT
Colour ALPINWEISS 3 (300)
Upholstery STANDARDLEDER/SCHWARZ (N6SW)
Prod. Date 2001-10-29

Vehicle options
S202A Steptronic
S210A Dynamic stability control
S220A Self-levelling suspension
S249A Multifunction f steering wheel
S292A BMW light alloy wheel, cross spoke 29
S302A Alarm system
S354A Green windscreen, green shade band
S386A Roof railing
S403A Glass roof, electrical
S441A Smoker package
S459A Seat adjuster, electric, with memory
S470A Isofix-System
S473A Armrest front
S494A Seat heating driver/passenger
S520A Fog lights
S534A Automatic air conditioning
S555A On-board computer V with remote control
S602A On-board monitor with TV
S609A Navigation system Professional
S640A Preparation f tel.installation universal
S645A BMW US Radio
S676A HiFi speaker system
S694A Provisions for BMW 6 CD changer
S785A White direction indicator lights
S818A Battery master switch
S845A Acoustic belt warning
S850A Dummy-SALAPA
S853A Language version English
S876A Radio frequency 315 MHz
S915A Dummy-SALAPA
S925A Dummy-SALAPA
S940A special equipment BMW Individual
S941A Dummy-SALAPA
S992A Control of number-plate attachment

Here are the links to my previous posts on the switch in the cubby


https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...2#post29815092


Post #are 7320 and 7321

awesome, thanks. i do have S940A. so it has a loudspeaker? awesome. i guess i need a mic!


here's some pics.

[schatzy62]

S602A On Board monitor with TV and S609A navigation System Professional = Navigation and Monitor capable of having TV installed but without S601A TV Function means it will not pick up TV signals

S876A Radio Freq 315 mhz just means that it has remote key functions

S940A - BMW Individual - Listing of Individual is below the list on some decoders and not shown on others

BMW Individual for your car is listed as

Steuerung Individual = Control Individual
Hinweisschild BMW Individual = Signboard Individual - what this really means is unknown for your car, this also shows up on taxi cabs, police cars and other special vehicles.

0940 Sonderwunschausstattung = Special Equipment
E39/2 SERIVCEMOBIL-ZU = Service mobil use

S941A Externe Nachruestung = External retrofitting

Still non of this really explains what the button did or what the plug is in the rear.

[schatzy62]

A few other notes on some of the codes listed

S915A - Removes the paint Clear Coat

S925A - Transport Protection package - means they put something like cosmoline on the car. Cosmoline is a protection wax that is prayed on the car before crossing the ocean.

S941A - I have never been able to find anything on this one

S850A - Put gasoline in tank for export

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

I still have not figured out DUMMY SALAPA, which comes with every car.

[schatzy62]

awesome, thanks. i do have S940A. so it has a loudspeaker? awesome. i guess i need a mic!

Most likely the modules that control it were removed. You can check the rear where the spare tire is to see if the intercom module is located there as shown in the picture in the above post.

There are people that have reported that the speaker was left in place down near the bumper. IIRC i think it is located in the bumper metal frame up front and there may be a second one in the rear placed by the spare tire well somewhere (forward of the spare tire housing under the car IIRC).

here's some pics.

The rims are not original to the car they are Style 81

The car originally came with
YSi6q3N.jpg

[schatzy62]

I still have not figured out DUMMY SALAPA, which comes with every car.

this is the most complete list i have found for option codes and some codes listed by common VIN Decoders as Dummy SALAPA as show with actual text of what the code actually is. some of these are still listed in German.

http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/...nglish-t20824/

BTW SALAPA in Estonian = Secret, but there is no translation in German.

[disccooker]

The rims are not original to the car they are Style 81

The car originally came with
YSi6q3N.jpg

that is what my spare is. a style 29.

[geargrinder]

I just bought an 2002 E39 525iT, and it has some strange things i cannot identify in the center console. i should note this was equipped with phone, but i replaced the armrest with one without.

Thanks for posting these pics sir - I've been aware of this weirdo equipment from the guys here for a while but we kept not getting good pictures.

Fascinating stuff.

"Intercom" of course could have 'odd mistranslation' written all over it.

The speaker on the outside says maybe "PA system"? So when the servicemobile pulls up to an incident they can call out "Dear civilians please stand aside for the BMW Servicemobil!"
"Intercom" inside the car seems unlikely but I suppose there could have been a headset for a tech in the backseat like it was an attack helicopter or something?
A dispatch-radio type deal?

Seems like "PA System" is most likely, it is funny how undocumented it is tho', I once looked around for the parts and info to no avail, clearly its a rare oddity...