DIY - E36 window switch retrofit

[Jordan]

I have a spair set of e36 window switches, white base, everything needed to convert.

1 pair white base switch
1 pair flat surround
1 pair connector w/ harness snippit.

$40 shipped.

[AndrewBird]

Well, I installed the passenger side, soldered, and finished up. Turn on the car and nothing... GRRRR! I could have sworn that I wired it right. I tested the switch and even got the same results and wired it the same as MR 325 (as shown by 2nd pic on 3rd page in his post). But alas, no movement from the window. I do however get a short or something that dims my lights when I press the white up arrow.

I used large white bases with Black-Yellow, Red-Brown, Blue-Green, and Brown wires. The way I wired it up was Black-Yellow>Purple, Red-Brown>Green, Blue-Green>Black, and Brown>2 Brown's. This is for the passenger side of an 85 eta. Any other people out there successfully install these in a similar car? I kept the old bases just in case but I'm worried that I might have fried something else. I checked the fuses and all are good. Are there any relays that control window stuff?

Any and all help is apreciated. Thanks!

http://www.scchosting.com/eurospeed/Testing%20e36%20Switches.doc

Use that and figure out what wires do what. Make sure you write them down as to not confuse/forget them. Then use this:

http://www.scchosting.com/eurospeed/e30%20Switch%20Diagram.doc

And match up the wires with what they do. Then there are no worries.

I wrote both of those, so if you need any help, feel free to e-mail me or hit me up on AIM if I am on.

[Nathan]

Well, I installed the passenger side, soldered, and finished up. Turn on the car and nothing... GRRRR! I could have sworn that I wired it right. I tested the switch and even got the same results and wired it the same as MR 325 (as shown by 2nd pic on 3rd page in his post). But alas, no movement from the window. I do however get a short or something that dims my lights when I press the white up arrow.

I used large white bases with Black-Yellow, Red-Brown, Blue-Green, and Brown wires. The way I wired it up was Black-Yellow>Purple, Red-Brown>Green, Blue-Green>Black, and Brown>2 Brown's. This is for the passenger side of an 85 eta. Any other people out there successfully install these in a similar car? I kept the old bases just in case but I'm worried that I might have fried something else. I checked the fuses and all are good. Are there any relays that control window stuff?

Any and all help is apreciated. Thanks!

[erik325i]

Check e-bay for switches. You can find anything there. Either that or find someone with a parts car that still has the switches and have them cut the wiring harness out for you.

That's what I did. I found a seller on ebay with a pair of switches that will work, but does not have the plug/wiring harness thing. Every switch on ebay has just the switch, with no plug.

There are no e36s at the local yards fo me to take from, and I can't seem to find anyone on the forums that has a set for sale. Ohh well. I guess I gotta just keep searching.

go look on bimmerforums. they have guys parting out their e36 ALL the time. they dont advertise switches, but im sure they have them.

I have been doing that. So far, nobody has the switches. I guess if I keep watching for them, I will find them.

[Nathan]

I will be doing the install with large white bases into an 85 eta tomorrow. I'll post up what wires went to where and such.

Maybe this should be moved to FAQ forum?

[golde30]

Check e-bay for switches. You can find anything there. Either that or find someone with a parts car that still has the switches and have them cut the wiring harness out for you.

That's what I did. I found a seller on ebay with a pair of switches that will work, but does not have the plug/wiring harness thing. Every switch on ebay has just the switch, with no plug.

There are no e36s at the local yards fo me to take from, and I can't seem to find anyone on the forums that has a set for sale. Ohh well. I guess I gotta just keep searching.

go look on bimmerforums. they have guys parting out their e36 ALL the time. they dont advertise switches, but im sure they have them.

[erik325i]

Check e-bay for switches. You can find anything there. Either that or find someone with a parts car that still has the switches and have them cut the wiring harness out for you.

That's what I did. I found a seller on ebay with a pair of switches that will work, but does not have the plug/wiring harness thing. Every switch on ebay has just the switch, with no plug.

There are no e36s at the local yards fo me to take from, and I can't seem to find anyone on the forums that has a set for sale. Ohh well. I guess I gotta just keep searching.

[AndrewBird]

You'r probably right about finding new switches as I believe the plugs were different depending on the switch. As far as other cars they came in, I don't know. Some one should know though.

Check e-bay for switches. You can find anything there. Either that or find someone with a parts car that still has the switches and have them cut the wiring harness out for you.

[erik325i]

I will be getting some of the e36 switches for the swap, but they don't come with the wiring harness that plugs into the back of the switch. Where can I find the harness with the wires in it? Is this a dealer item?

They are part of the entire wiring harness. You best bet is to find a parts car and cut the plugs from it.

When searching for a car to pull the wiring from, it will have to be from a car that has the correct switches, because the plugs are different from the different switches, right? So basicly I shouldn't even bother buying the switches I just found because they don't come with the wiring, right? Because if I have to find a car to pull the wiring from, it will have the right switches anyways. That sucks. Now I need to search for more switches with the plug. None of the junk yards around me ever have any e36s. Were those switches used in any other model car?

[golde30]

I will be getting some of the e36 switches for the swap, but they don't come with the wiring harness that plugs into the back of the switch. Where can I find the harness with the wires in it? Is this a dealer item?

They are part of the entire wiring harness. You best bet is to find a parts car and cut the plugs from it.

word up. make sure u get as much wire as possible to work with..

[AndrewBird]

I will be getting some of the e36 switches for the swap, but they don't come with the wiring harness that plugs into the back of the switch. Where can I find the harness with the wires in it? Is this a dealer item?

They are part of the entire wiring harness. You best bet is to find a parts car and cut the plugs from it.

[erik325i]

I will be getting some of the e36 switches for the swap, but they don't come with the wiring harness that plugs into the back of the switch. Where can I find the harness with the wires in it? Is this a dealer item?

[Bryson]

Well it does look a lot better than the E30 switches. But I'd rather wait for a write up on the one touch. Seems more worth it. At least a one touch for the sunroof. Now that would be pimp.

there's not going to be one.
even if there were, it would require running all of the wires for the switches to somewhere like the glove compartment to fit the bix box that controls all of them, not to mention there are like 400 wires coming from that box
that being said, I may try it someday. But I'll likely buy individual kits to make them one touch

[ultima]

Well it does look a lot better than the E30 switches. But I'd rather wait for a write up on the one touch. Seems more worth it. At least a one touch for the sunroof. Now that would be pimp.

[Jand3rson]

Here's the full write-up on strictlyeta.net, with all the full-size pics (click on them to enlarge). Enjoy, fellas. :up:

http://www.strictlyeta.net/technical/e36switches.html