Power Windows' switch light

**hamz** · 03-08-2002, 10:12 AM

Hey guys,
My 325is 93 have both power windows' switches not illuminated?
Are they supposed to be ? Any one knows how to change the bulbs ? or should i change the whole swith (hope not)

please advise

**'97 328i** · 03-08-2002, 11:08 AM

My brother's '95 325ic has the same thing. I guess its normal, unlike my 328i

: they look so cool in the dark.

**bimmer95** · 03-08-2002, 01:15 PM

Yup, they're supposed to light up, but the little bulbs are burnt out. You can get new 12v "grain of wheat" bulbs from Radio sHack for $1/pr. You'll need to paint the bulbs with some red finger nail polish to make the color match. Pop the switches out, open them up, unsolder the old bulbs and solder the new ones in to place. Took me about 15 min to fix two switches on my buddy's '92 325i.

**hamz** · 03-11-2002, 02:27 AM

bimmer95

Can u please tell me how to pop the switches out ?I dont think that u need to color the bulbs because in all the dash board panels, bulbs r white and the plastic gives the orenge color, no ?

thx for the advise:atom

**bimmer95** · 03-11-2002, 02:41 AM

Originally posted by hamz
Can u please tell me how to pop the switches out ?I dont think that u need to color the bulbs because in all the dash board panels, bulbs r white and the plastic gives the orenge color, no

Pull out the shift boot and pop the switches out from underneath. The lights in the switches are not the same as the dash lights, they ARE colored. You DO have to paint them to get the color right.

**Stockman** · 03-11-2002, 02:58 AM

as a similar topic..

You can do this: http://nolimit.to/MYM3/interiorswitc...roofswitch.htm

Switch the color of the light to blue (which looks white almost) or another color of your choosing

**hamz** · 03-11-2002, 03:08 AM

Aren't the bulbs plug and play?

i mean like those of the dash board pull and push new instead ?
why the hell are they soldred?

: i think replacing the whole switch is easier no ? huh

cheers

**bimmer95** · 03-11-2002, 03:11 AM

Originally posted by hamz
Aren't the bulbs plug and play?

i mean like those of the dash board pull and push new instead ?
why the hell are they soldred?

: i think replacing the whole switch is easier no ? huh

cheers

Uhhh no they AREN'T plug and play... that's why I said you have to solder the new bulbs

: Of course it's EASIER to plug in a new switch, but it's pretty dumb to spend $35 a piece on new switches just to fix a tiny burnt out light bulb. Your choice......

**hamz** · 03-11-2002, 03:21 AM

yes my friend i know its very dumb of them to make it like this.
I think i have to do the soldering but i am afraid to fuck something up you know.I will try to give it a shot this weekend.

By the way do u know any method to protect non leather seats. because it another bug in bimmers seats, they ware out quickly.

Are there replacement seats for 93 models ?

thx cheif

**bimmer95** · 03-11-2002, 03:35 AM

Originally posted by hamz
yes my friend i know its very dumb of them to make it like this.
I think i have to do the soldering but i am afraid to fuck something up you know.I will try to give it a shot this weekend.

Pretty much the worst you can do is fuck up the switch... then you can just replace it after all. If your repair job works you'll have saved $35/switch... if not you can just buy the new switch(es) anyways. So you've not nothing to lose besides a few minutes of time

**bungy42** · 03-12-2002, 01:31 PM

You can get red grain-of-wheat bulbs at hobby shops. They're used for lighting on model trains. That way you don't have to paint them.

**E36 Fanatic** · 03-12-2002, 03:23 PM

All my window switch lights are on, but I had to replace the headlight switch bulb. I found out that it is the same bulb as the rear ash tray bulb. I don't let anyone smoke up in my car, so I figured I'd rather have my switch lit up. (until I can find time to get another bulb.)
Anyone know where to get the battery for my light in the key? I think it's a "625".
Nick

**bimmer95** · 03-12-2002, 03:32 PM

Originally posted by bungy42
You can get red grain-of-wheat bulbs at hobby shops. They're used for lighting on model trains. That way you don't have to paint them.

That may be true, but there's more Radio sHacks nearby than hobby shops.... and my wife paints her toe nails red

It really only took a few seconds to paint them with nail polish, so you've got to factor that in. I vote for going to which ever is closer/easier to get to

**bungy42** · 03-12-2002, 04:47 PM

Originally posted by bimmer95

That may be true, but there's more Radio sHacks nearby than hobby shops.... and my wife paints her toe nails red It really only took a few seconds to paint them with nail polish, so you've got to factor that in. I vote for going to which ever is closer/easier to get to

I agree. I was just offering up an option.

**pete1787** · 08-29-2002, 01:21 AM

k, sorry to revive such an old thread, but...

are LEDs rated for different voltages and stuff, do I need to solder in resistors or anything? I ask cause I bought a 'variety pack' of LEDs at radioshack, but when I touch them to the terminals in the switch they get real hot and spark and/or burn out....

so, whats the voltage in the switch? I saw someone mentioned 12v grain of wheat bulbs? so I should be looking for LEDs that take 12v then? what about "mcd" i think that refers to how bright they are, any suggestions there?

thanks alot guys, this thread was just what I've been lookin for

:

**bimmer95** · 08-29-2002, 01:45 AM

Almost all LEDs run at 3v, so you're going to smoke them if you wire them up to 12v. Just get the 12v grain of wheat bulbs instead.

**bungy42** · 08-29-2002, 08:18 AM

If you really want to use LEDs (they run a lot cooler and won't burn out), then you'll need to put in a resistor as well. You can use any value, but somewhere around 150-200 ohms should work well. If that's not bright enough, reduce the resistance until they're brighter. I haven't done this, but I'm a EE so that's gotta count for something...

Oh, the resistor needs to go between the LED and the terminal (in series).

**pete1787** · 08-29-2002, 09:08 PM

good info.
I went out and bought some grain-o-wheat type bulbs and soldered them in and they work well, except for the fact they get Very hot and I ruined one switch mechanically...I'll probably end up gettin some resistors and goin the LED route eventually...my soldering skills are pretty poor so its quite a chore

:

**toofast4U** · 08-30-2002, 12:23 AM

are 150 ohm resistor's enough...I think that's a little weak...your better off with a 220 maybe? I'm EE too...it doesn't matter I just take the resistors and capacitors and any wiring I need for my car from the lab...ahh I love it...haven't paid for any electircal work since I started the major and you know how many eletrical gremlins come up in BMW's

Thread: Power Windows' switch light

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Power Windows' switch light

HOw to pop them up

Re: HOw to pop them up

Do u have to do soldering?

Re: Do u have to do soldering?

defenitely

Re: defenitely

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