What can I replace the check panel with?

[pb34]

Hahaha only if you promise not to hate me for it, I'm no professional, but it works for me.

So I DIY'd in a map light, but that wasn't enough for the black void that is an all black interior...

I followed this DIY on the mirror map light: http://zoso.no-ip.org/318i-maplight.html

TL; DR: You grab the constant 12 volt and ground from the rear passenger light and then run wires in the headliner to the front for the map light / dome light.

Then I just tested the dome light assembly with a 9 volt battery to figure out what combinations made the outside ones work.

Then spliced it into the wiring for the map light. Viola working lights.
After that I also had to do a some filing to get it to fit into the old check panel square.


Its also worth mentioning that I brought the door switched ground forward while I was doing this incase I needed it later.


Thoughts:
So the e46 seems to use switched positive rather than switched ground. In theory you should be able to just switch the ground and positives, but by no means am I an electrician so don't take my word for it. I blew like 6 fuses trying to get it all working. The real problem is there is only one ground for all of the switches.


For someone that wants to help finish it and get the ambient and center door light working:

I was thinking that you should be able to solder some wires to the "board" (the "wires" for the lights look like the lines on a computer board for electricity so thats what im calling them) cut and then change it to the e30 compatible setup.

Also if anyone is interested I can grab those dome lights the next time I go junkyard hunting. Cost plus a small finders fee? ;D

[mlbryant8]

I was able to mod a e46 light assembly into mine.

Still working on getting the red ambient lights and center door light to work, but the two switched outside ones work.

Can you give details on how you accomplished the wiring?

[pb34]

Just realized how great this mod was on my 318i. I just put in e36 seats and now I don't have to deal with the light always being on either!

Anyways heres a pick of it in.

[pb34]

I was able to mod a e46 light assembly into mine.

Still working on getting the red ambient lights and center door light to work, but the two switched outside ones work.

[robrez]

I have my Parrot Bluetooth screen in mine.

[DRTSRFR]

I took a dome light from an e34 and modded it to fit...a little redundant being it was in my 'vert, but a fun project.

[gallarzo916]

'87 325es owner here, and my interior is all in all falling apart, one part of which being, the over head check panel. It's hanging on by about an inch of thread on the top edge. I plan to re-do the headliner in tan at some point, and I'm considering options on what to put in place of the check panel. I've seen some pictures of 30's w/ dome lights, which doesn't seem like that bad of an idea. Anyone swapped this out, or have any suggestions? Or am I better in the long run just leaving it?