Page 3 of 3 FirstFirst 123
Results 51 to 73 of 73

Thread: IDIOT PROOF guide to fixing your headlight switch

  1. #51
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Bay Area (707/415)
    Posts
    667
    My Cars
    2003 M3
    Wow ended up being super easy and finished in under 5 minutes. Thanks for the write up!
    "Sucking at something is the first step to being sorta good at something!"

  2. #52
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Central IL
    Posts
    9,873
    My Cars
    E36
    very nice! did both my E36's in a couple minutes.
    Last edited by shogun; 02-21-2016 at 07:31 AM.
    BMW CCA Illini Chapter Vice President
    1995 M3
    - My Favorite DIY's and FAQ's



  3. #53
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Greenwood, IN
    Posts
    196
    My Cars
    1997 BMW M3 Coupe
    Thanks for the tip on using a screwdriver to re-align the vents, worked like a charm!

  4. #54
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    SF Bay Area/SW Florida
    Posts
    197
    My Cars
    99' M3 Convertible
    Excellent DIY write-up. Very thorough.

  5. #55
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Carlsbad, Ca
    Posts
    33
    My Cars
    1993 BMW 318is
    I am gonna do this on my lunch break

  6. #56
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Carlsbad, Ca
    Posts
    33
    My Cars
    1993 BMW 318is
    Just did it... Took less than five minutes

    Next!!

  7. #57
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Frederick, MD
    Posts
    3,972
    My Cars
    1998 M3 Coupe- 3050lbs
    I dont think I ever knew that area was suppose to light up :-|

  8. #58
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Northern CA
    Posts
    3
    My Cars
    1999 BMW 323ic
    Hope this thread is still alive out there. I tried 3 bulbs (2x 2271 and the bulb recommended from NAPA and all of them blew immediately. All my fuses are good. Any ideas?
    Removing and putting the switch back together was a snap. Would love to see the light work.

    Thanks!

  9. #59
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    Nashville, TN, USA
    Posts
    15
    My Cars
    1997 BMW 328i Sedan
    Quote Originally Posted by sdb48 View Post
    Hope this thread is still alive out there. I tried 3 bulbs (2x 2271 and the bulb recommended from NAPA and all of them blew immediately. All my fuses are good. Any ideas?
    Removing and putting the switch back together was a snap. Would love to see the light work.

    Thanks!
    The Light bulbs that BMW put in the socket from the factory is something like 0.31 watts the company's that make the replacement bulbs that fit are something like 1.7 watts.
    That's why so many in this thread have said its brighter or it feels hotter. Its cause it is.
    they made it were you have to order from them or run the risk of melting the housing, giving your car a stroke by killing the left side of your cars lights
    on a similar note, anybody know where to get the "$100 special German order BMW bulb" for the dollar or so it actually costs?

  10. #60
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    562/ 949 CA
    Posts
    2,417
    My Cars
    M3 Saloon
    lunchbreak DIY krew FTW..!

    - - - Updated - - -

    BTW, the original equipment bulb from BMW is triple the cost of the Sylvania but worth it as you are getting the correct wattage. At '0.3w' (printed on the bulb) this is the reason the Sylvania's at 1.x+ will blow much sooner plus the level of lighting will match the rest of the dash at night.
    If the mind can conceive it, & you believe it, you will achieve it. - Napolean Hill
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    1998 Alpine White & 1998 Arctic Silver ///m3/4/5
    JC Intake - ASC Delete - Dinan TB - Flow Matched 21.5# Injectors - JC Tune - SS Euro Reps (modified to retain SAP) - z3m ssk - Eisenmann Race 76mm - Yokohama Advan S2 - Squared LTW's - FK Silverline +X - Rogue FCAB/ RTAB/ RSM/ TM - X-Brace - CDV Delete -Racing Dynamics F&R Strut Braces - NGK BKR6E- German Castrol 0w-40

  11. #61
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    514
    My Cars
    97' M3/4/5
    Did this to the M3 today. Just a FYI, in addition to the 2721 bulb#, bulb# 73 and 74 also works. I did some research, the 73 is rated at 1.1w, the 74 at 1.4w. So if you're trying to match the stock bulb brightness, get the 73. If you want the brightest, get the 2721. Honestly, I doubt anyone would be able to differentiate between stock and 2721. I got the 73 and couldnt be happier. It matches the dash lights perfectly and cost 2.99 for 2 at the local parts store.


  12. #62
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    Mt Airy, NC
    Posts
    21
    My Cars
    1997 BMW 328i
    Omg... kudos on the air duct trick.. it was driving me bananas.

  13. #63
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    Miami, Florida
    Posts
    535
    My Cars
    '97 Alpine M3 Coupe
    Also used the 73 bulb, very happy,
    perfect match, thanks Vitaliy.

  14. #64
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    562/ 949 CA
    Posts
    2,417
    My Cars
    M3 Saloon
    The Sylvania bulbs are 4x the wattage so you risk a short.
    If the mind can conceive it, & you believe it, you will achieve it. - Napolean Hill
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    1998 Alpine White & 1998 Arctic Silver ///m3/4/5
    JC Intake - ASC Delete - Dinan TB - Flow Matched 21.5# Injectors - JC Tune - SS Euro Reps (modified to retain SAP) - z3m ssk - Eisenmann Race 76mm - Yokohama Advan S2 - Squared LTW's - FK Silverline +X - Rogue FCAB/ RTAB/ RSM/ TM - X-Brace - CDV Delete -Racing Dynamics F&R Strut Braces - NGK BKR6E- German Castrol 0w-40

  15. #65
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Long Beach, CA
    Posts
    58
    My Cars
    1995 M3 Coupe
    Any suggestions in if I can't get the headlight plug off the back of the switch? I turn the adapter 90 degrees but it still won't pull off? Should it turn more than that?

  16. #66
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    St Louis, MO
    Posts
    30
    My Cars
    1996 328is; 1998 740iL
    Quote Originally Posted by Grim Ryan View Post
    Any suggestions in if I can't get the headlight plug off the back of the switch? I turn the adapter 90 degrees but it still won't pull off? Should it turn more than that?
    Yes, hold the switch base firmly and just keep turning the plug lock-ring. The ring unscrews fully but is held back by the friction of the electrical connectors. You have to apply enough force to cause the 10 pins to back out of their connectors.

    I had the same challenge on my 96 328is.

    Tips:

    • There is a speed nut on the bottom of the switch housing for the one mounting screw under the dash. Don't lose it or the mounting screw will have nothing to grab and just spin.
    • Use the correct bulb, 0.36 Watts, to match the brightness of the rest of the dash and improve lifespan. It is BMW #61 13 8 360 844 and available from most BMW aftermarket places (such as Bavarian Auto, Pelican Parts, etc.),
    • While you're in there, wash the vent tube and vent fins, clean the electrical contacts, replace the foam insulation at the end and apply some silicon spray to the moving parts.

    BMW E36 Headlight Switch.jpg

  17. #67
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Chicago, IL
    Posts
    192
    My Cars
    2002 M3, 1998 M3
    Just did this last week, bulb has been burnt out since before I got the car.
    Wasn't until I'd stumbled across this thread I finally realized the switch actually illuminates.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  18. #68
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    OH
    Posts
    307
    My Cars
    e36 coupe
    BUMP for super easy fix that makes my car feel whole again

    Took a screw driver, needle-nose pliers, and less than 5 minutes.
    0.5/10 Difficulty

  19. #69
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Japan
    Posts
    54,655
    My Cars
    11/88 E32 750iL+98 E36M3
    Quote Originally Posted by hide1 View Post
    The Sylvania bulbs are 4x the wattage so you risk a short.
    Sylvania/Osram 2721 bulb is 1.2W and is a common replacement for other dash lights. BUT, the headlight switch is supposed to be a 0.36W (30mA) bulb. That's why I used the original one 61138360844 0,36 WATT used on many 3, 5, 6 models. I have seen some badly burnt switches caused by higher wattage bulbs.
    There must be a technical reason why they selected a 0.36W bulb. Such a BMW 0.36W bulb lasts 10 years again, so do not take any risk.

    The instruction how to do the replacement is of course very nice, but be careful with the bulb W selection.
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  20. #70
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Suburban Philadelphia, PA
    Posts
    7
    My Cars
    95 325i
    Has anybody had any experience with the LED bulbs this size? They seem an they could be a good replacement for this low power always on sort of situation... Anybody done it with an ebay special 5050 led in the T5 size format?

  21. #71
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    Alabama
    Posts
    230
    My Cars
    97 BMW M3 Sedan
    Quote Originally Posted by frumious View Post
    Has anybody had any experience with the LED bulbs this size? They seem an they could be a good replacement for this low power always on sort of situation... Anybody done it with an ebay special 5050 led in the T5 size format?
    I have not.

    I used the SYLVANIA 2721 Long Life Miniature Bulb Amazon has the best price for that size under 4 bucks. http://amzn.to/2nJ2ZjI
    Current
    -1997 BMW M3 4Door Artic Silver w/ Black Interior Daily

    Past
    -2001 BMW 325i
    -1999 BMW M3 Vert White
    -1981 VW Rabbit Pickup (Caddy) 2.0 ABA

    "I don't care if the door gaps are straight. When the driver steps on the gas, I want him to shit his pants." - Enzo Ferrari

  22. #72
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    34
    My Cars
    96 M3, 99 540i
    I didn't want to spend a fortune on the correct bulb so I found 12volts from the switch and soldered an orange led on two pins. I then installed the led in the same place as the bulb and it works nicely. Hopefully I'll never have to replace it again. Here's how it was soldered. https://youtu.be/KAeoQvLNKVQ
    96 M3 - Estoril Blu - h&r coilovers/springs - K&N intake - 214hp/218ftlb
    99 540i - Kashmere Biege - SP

  23. #73
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    McKean township Pennsylva
    Posts
    10,542
    My Cars
    1999 M3 , 1999 328is
    I had no idea this was supposed to light up. Both my e36's have this bulb burned out. Sounds like a good weekend quick project.

Page 3 of 3 FirstFirst 123

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •