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Thread: Window switch illumination

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
    Posts
    647
    My Cars
    1994 840Ci - M60, 6MT

    Window switch illumination

    I noticed when I took my car for a drive the other night, that my window switches are only illuminated on the passenger side and the driver's side is dark.
    Has anyone replaced the lighting in these switches? The last post I found on the UK forum said they were hard-soldered incandescent globes - can removing them and soldering in SMD LEDs work?

    Thread for reference: https://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum...tches-t118209/

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
    Posts
    647
    My Cars
    1994 840Ci - M60, 6MT
    Also found this thread from 2010 which didn't recommend LEDs - however, I'm sure technology has changed in the last 8-9 years. Is this still a current school of thought?
    Happy to replace with incandescent bulb (I'm thinking T5 or T10 with some soldering and paint?)

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Location
    Essex, UK
    Posts
    31
    My Cars
    '95 840Ci, '06 730d
    I had exactly the same issue. The switch unit is very easy to pop open, just be careful coz there’s little metal spring plates fitted to the underside of the buttons. Once you have it apart, the bulbs are very easy to get to. There’s just two of them that need to be removed then replacements soldered in. Shouldn’t take you long.

    The bulbs you need are called “grain of wheat” bulbs. Get them in amber and replace them in a pair otherwise the slight difference in colour/intensity will bug you as it did me!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Japan
    Posts
    54,654
    My Cars
    11/88 E32 750iL+98 E36M3
    I used for E32 and E34, probably also fits E31: T1 1/4 bulbs, 80mA = approx. 1.2W, 4x12mm, just get white bulbs and some bulb paint. Example https://www.bulbtown.com/T_1_1_4_Min...ulbs_s/900.htm
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
    Posts
    647
    My Cars
    1994 840Ci - M60, 6MT
    Quote Originally Posted by Dan840ci View Post
    I had exactly the same issue. The switch unit is very easy to pop open, just be careful coz there’s little metal spring plates fitted to the underside of the buttons. Once you have it apart, the bulbs are very easy to get to. There’s just two of them that need to be removed then replacements soldered in. Shouldn’t take you long.

    The bulbs you need are called “grain of wheat” bulbs. Get them in amber and replace them in a pair otherwise the slight difference in colour/intensity will bug you as it did me!
    Thanks - ordered some amber ones!
    Nothing available in Australia, it would appear.

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