DIY - E36 window switch retrofit

[franco90]

so if I understand this correct
e36 pins = e30 wires
PIN 1 = BROWN 1
PIN 4 = BLACK
PIN 5 = GREEN / GRAY
PIN 6 = BROWN 2
PIN 8 = PURPLE

[VAPORBLADE]

Well the pic thing does not work too well in such a tight spot....but here is the pin to color for the blue e36 base:

PIN 1 = BROWN 1
PIN 4 = BLACK
PIN 5 = GREEN / GRAY
PIN 6 = BROWN 2
PIN 3 = PURPLE

[franco90]

Sorry, I will take a pic today. I used/made push connectors. It was WICKED easy. :)

COOL but can you post and tell me which blue switch number goes to what e30 switch number thanks Franco

[VAPORBLADE]

Sorry, I will take a pic today. I used/made push connectors. It was WICKED easy. :)

[mikeltang]

im allergic to alcohol, wouldnt be the best thing to do..

[franco90]

I guess drink more beer

[mikeltang]

I try
E30 Switch:

Window Up 1 - Black or (Black/Grey)
Positive (+) 3 - Green/Grey
Negitive (-) 4 - Brown
Negitive (-) 5 - Brown
7 - Black Yellow (i had this, it did nothing)
Window Down 8 - Purple
to this
E36 Blue Base:

Negitive (-) 1 - Black/Yellow
Window Down 3 - Blue
Window Up 4 - Black
Positive (+) 5 - Green/Grey
Negitive (-) 6 - Blue/Green
switch light up but nothing else happens am i hooking up wrong
any ideas.:curse:

i tried this as well blew a few fuses nothing happened besides the light coming on

[franco90]

thanks Brother Man I try 6 fuses later all I accomplished was to burn 6 fuses and light up switches
I have the blue switches

[BDSax]

id have to look at the pin layout of the e36 switch, give me a couple days

[franco90]

MAN i am about to give up at this point I am about toi get drunk
Some one please help me before I give up ........................

[franco90]

Done - light comes on - all buttons work. I used stock e30 wires to e36 blue base pins. (switch without the e36 harness part)

brother help me out I am trying to do what you allready done :curse: what e30 color wire or number go to e36 switch number thanks.

[franco90]

thanks again I really want to hook my shit up any way I found a way to wire them with no harnesss but i want to wait until they work so I can post pics and material you will need to do this

[franco90]

can any one make of those for e30 to e36

[franco90]

i went through the shit load of e36 switch i have gotten and figured out what did what.

E30 Switch:

Window Up 1 - Black or (Black/Grey)
Positive (+) 3 - Green/Grey
Negitive (-) 4 - Brown
Negitive (-) 5 - Brown
7 - Black Yellow (i had this, it did nothing)
Window Down 8 - Purple

The e30 switch is very confusing...... there are tabs that come from the up and down leads and its always touching, im guessing it has more resistence the more it is pushed down.
I tried to go from Power (Green/Grey) to the down lead (Purple) and it blew the curcuit. so im guessing it controlls the amount of voltage? thats what im confused about.

E36 Blue Base:

Negitive (-) 1 - Black/Yellow
Window Down 3 - Blue
Window Up 4 - Black
Positive (+) 5 - Green/Grey
Negitive (-) 6 - Blue/Green

I think that the blue/green ground is the stupidest thing i have ever seen


There are 3 different White Basee switches that i had, please check your colors. the Numbers on the switches still all lined up.

E36 White Base #1:

Negitive (-) 1 - Brown
Window Down 3 - Black/Yellow
Window Up 4 - Blue/Green
Positive (+) 5 - Red/Brown


E36 White Base #2:

Negitive (-) 1 - Brown
Window Down 3 - Purple/Grey
Window Up 4 - Black/Grey
Positive (+) 5 - Red/Brown


E36 White Base #3:

Negitive (-) 1 - Brown
Window Down 3 - Black
Window Up 4 - Green
Positive (+) 5 - Red


I havent tried hooking up any switches yet, but i tried the Green base switch. it didnt work except the bulb lit up.
Every switch i went through had a blown bulb. so if your bulb isnt working its because its blown. im going to change mine to LEDs, i think these little POS bulbs suck. i will be installing mine soon. i hope this helps some people

I try
E30 Switch:

Window Up 1 - Black or (Black/Grey)
Positive (+) 3 - Green/Grey
Negitive (-) 4 - Brown
Negitive (-) 5 - Brown
7 - Black Yellow (i had this, it did nothing)
Window Down 8 - Purple
to this
E36 Blue Base:

Negitive (-) 1 - Black/Yellow
Window Down 3 - Blue
Window Up 4 - Black
Positive (+) 5 - Green/Grey
Negitive (-) 6 - Blue/Green
switch light up but nothing else happens am i hooking up wrong
any ideas.:curse:

[franco90]

yet i call BMA and they said harness are goingto be $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
so does any one have extra harness they want to sell