DIY - E36 window switch retrofit

[R3Z3N]

^^ should pout that in post #1

[cgk_iii]

4 wires instead of 5

will these switches work? i noticed it only has 4 wires instead of 5.

[Blackout]

^ Those are not e36 window switches. They are from an e34. They should work if you wire them up correctly.

[Jand3rson]

^ Those are not e36 window switches. They are from an e34. They should work if you wire them up correctly.

Probably not. If I'm not mistaken, regardless of the chassis, the ones with the small bases like that are for one-touch windows, and will not function properly/at all without the main one-touch module.

[cgk_iii]

^ Those are not e36 window switches. They are from an e34. They should work if you wire them up correctly.

they actually are from an e36 from the rear doors off of a 318i. .. :up:

i guess ill have to go to the junkyard and take the front window switches instead.. (just a pain in the ass compared to taking them out the back)

[lambo]

Anyone figure out what goes to what on an E36 window lock switch with three wire ( Red/Brown - Green/Grey - Green/Blue) to an E30 window lock switch with two wires (Green/Grey - Green/Blue)?

[crazyman]

I've already done that test hehe, just haven't put it in the car yet. On the e36 window cut switch it has one wire that's incoming (which should be the red/brown I believe) and two out going where as the e30 one has one incoming and one out going (the e30 cut switch kills the ground to the switches and the e36 kills the power, I have not tested that. Never had a chance to test before I pulled it). Also keep in mind that the four door might have a different setup, but should operate under the same principals. If you want to keep the wire on the e30 window stock, you can hook the incoming wires together and hook up the out going one then leave the other out going one from the e36 switch just dead end. Couldn't tell you the incoming wire on the e30 one cus they never used the same color every time. I have two e30's and neither one have the same color of wire for the interior, but those are just the ones I have owned others might be different. Hope this helps.

[Blackout]

Anyone figure out what goes to what on an E36 window lock switch with three wire ( Red/Brown - Green/Grey - Green/Blue) to an E30 window lock switch with two wires (Green/Grey - Green/Blue)?

Splice all the wires on the e36 switch pigtail.
Connect brown with the Red. Than connect the other with either of the remaining two green wires on the pigtail. Now test if the breaker operates.

If it does not, try the other green wire on the pig tail and re-test. One of the wire has to work for positive. You can just cut the other one off which did not work.

[lambo]

^

Is that fitting the E36 window lock switch to the circuit breaker, or the E30 window lock switch in a 4 door E30?

[Blackout]

^

Is that fitting the E36 window lock switch to the circuit breaker, or the E30 window lock switch in a 4 door E30?

E36 window lock switch to the circuit breaker in an E30.

[lambo]

E36 window lock switch to the circuit breaker in an E30.

I would rather see if I can fit it to the window lock switch that comes in the 4 door E30's

[Blackout]

I would rather see if I can fit it to the window lock switch that comes in the 4 door E30's

copy that.

[lambo]

Well, I think I broke the E36 window lock switch while playing with it... doh

I guess I'll just snip all the wires off of it and run it as a blank lol

[lambo]

Well, I got my switches in. However, I am not too happy with my wiring job so they'll be coming back out and getting redone at some point.

[redsubdivisions]

I did this not too long ago. Easier to roll the windows down now that I don't have to mash my buttons down.