Map light mirror in E30

rward325 · 10-09-2003, 06:03 PM

Anyone do this swap? If so what did you use for power to the map lights?

Jordan · 10-09-2003, 06:09 PM

Either use the factory wire that runs down the drivers side a-pillar, and plugs into the white connector at the firewall.... or wire it off the sunroof.

modifiede30 · 10-09-2003, 06:09 PM

If you have an electric sunroof you could probably splice into the power line. Never done it but its the only power wiring I could think of that would run in that area.

Jon325i · 10-09-2003, 06:10 PM

I recently bought the same mirror to upgrade into my car, but I have yet to actually install it. I asked this question on E3S and people told me that I can just tap into the power supply for the check panel as my power source (I forget which color wire though). What's nice about using this particular power source is that its wired through the ignition. That way, you can never accidentally leave the light on in the car once you have shut it off.

Jon

AdamF 88iS · 10-09-2003, 06:40 PM

If you buy one of these mirrors make sure you get one that has the adjustable bit that braces it against the windshield. Otherwise it will vibrate a lot.

Super-Eta · 10-09-2003, 06:56 PM

Tapping into the Check control is correct.

Also you will still have full fuction of the check control still.

A friend of mine did this on his 1986 325.

-Ryan

RedBaron86325 · 10-09-2003, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super-Eta

Tapping into the Check control is correct.

Also you will still have full fuction of the check control still.

A friend of mine did this on his 1986 325.

-Ryan

This is absolutely correct. I've installed a few of these for friends over the last several years with no ill effects.

Brew · 10-09-2003, 08:34 PM

Here's a good write-up with great pictures:
http://e30.bmwdiy.info/lighted-mirror/index.html

Great upgrade IMO, my new car has one and it is so much more convenient than the "reach over your head and swerve off the road" lights.

Ryan Stewart · 10-09-2003, 09:02 PM

I found one to the check control that is powered with the igniton off it you want me too look. I did that because I tend to use it a lot when parked and that little bulb isnt gonna kill my car.

Also when you go to install it get some small tire wraps, compress the pins with a crescent wrench, and slide the tiewraps in so that the pins cant go all the way out. Then pop the mirror in and slide the tiewraps out. Its much quicker and easier that way.

rward325 · 10-09-2003, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brew

Here's a good write-up with great pictures:
http://e30.bmwdiy.info/lighted-mirror/index.html

Great upgrade IMO, my new car has one and it is so much more convenient than the "reach over your head and swerve off the road" lights.

This write up is perfect. Thanks, guess what I am doing tomorrow?

Jon325i · 10-10-2003, 10:24 AM

Excellent article. Thanks for posting it. This eliminates a lot of guess work.

Jon

MR 325 · 10-10-2003, 11:12 AM

rward325

Take some pics before, during, and after install for us

10-09-2003, 06:03 PM	#1
rward325 Wrencher Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 251 Images: 4	Map light mirror in E30 Anyone do this swap? If so what did you use for power to the map lights? __________________ Just livin in the OC minus my E30

10-09-2003, 06:40 PM	#5
AdamF 88iS R3VLimited Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 2,051	If you buy one of these mirrors make sure you get one that has the adjustable bit that braces it against the windshield. Otherwise it will vibrate a lot. __________________ Adam Fogg- '88 M3 Common sense- It's the new 'gifted'

10-09-2003, 08:34 PM	#8
Brew No R3VLimiter Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Braintree, MA Posts: 3,057 Images: 54	Here's a good write-up with great pictures: http://e30.bmwdiy.info/lighted-mirror/index.html Great upgrade IMO, my new car has one and it is so much more convenient than the "reach over your head and swerve off the road" lights. __________________ '91 318is

10-09-2003, 09:02 PM	#9
Ryan Stewart I Love Miatas Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 8,913	I found one to the check control that is powered with the igniton off it you want me too look. I did that because I tend to use it a lot when parked and that little bulb isnt gonna kill my car. Also when you go to install it get some small tire wraps, compress the pins with a crescent wrench, and slide the tiewraps in so that the pins cant go all the way out. Then pop the mirror in and slide the tiewraps out. Its much quicker and easier that way. __________________

10-10-2003, 11:12 AM	#12
MR 325 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 31,680 Images: 1035	rward325 Take some pics before, during, and after install for us __________________ 1991 E30 M-Technic 327i Turbo --- 1986 E30 325iS --- 1997 E36 M3/4/5 Ported, Polished, & Rebuilt M20 Cylinder Heads CLICK HERE!

10-09-2003, 06:09 PM	#2
Jordan Banned Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 11,995 Images: 16	Either use the factory wire that runs down the drivers side a-pillar, and plugs into the white connector at the firewall.... or wire it off the sunroof.

10-09-2003, 06:09 PM	#3
modifiede30 Forum Sponsor Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central, MA Posts: 1,192	If you have an electric sunroof you could probably splice into the power line. Never done it but its the only power wiring I could think of that would run in that area.

10-09-2003, 06:10 PM	#4
Jon325i R3V OG Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 6,503	I recently bought the same mirror to upgrade into my car, but I have yet to actually install it. I asked this question on E3S and people told me that I can just tap into the power supply for the check panel as my power source (I forget which color wire though). What's nice about using this particular power source is that its wired through the ignition. That way, you can never accidentally leave the light on in the car once you have shut it off. Jon

10-09-2003, 06:56 PM	#6
Super-Eta Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: The Evergreen State Posts: 53	Tapping into the Check control is correct. Also you will still have full fuction of the check control still. A friend of mine did this on his 1986 325. -Ryan

10-10-2003, 10:24 AM	#11
Jon325i R3V OG Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 6,503	Excellent article. Thanks for posting it. This eliminates a lot of guess work. Jon