DIY shift knob illumination

[RCWells]

Anyone have a write-up? I used to have a link to Tim Thurber's write-up, but it is no longer valid. And yes, I did do a search.

[Kruzen]

Re: DIY shift knob illumination

Anyone have a write-up? I used to have a link to Tim Thurber's write-up, but it is no longer valid. And yes, I did do a search.

http://bmwe30.net/cgi-bin/datacgi/database.cgi?file=articles&report=view&ID=00054&Section=02

tried doing this and the paint all chipped off at the same time and ruined it.

attempt at your own risk.

[RCWells]

Thanks.

[golde30]

looks like alotta work. buying one is pretty easy though :D

[RCWells]

The thing is, I already bought the ///M insert that allows light through, and the leds, but today when I removed the stock insert, I was surprised at the way the knob is made underneath. I thought there was more room under there, but apparently one has to cut and/or drill all that plastic out to make a hole to fit the bulbs. I am hesitant to do this, afraid I might destroy the knob. For the time being, I just put the insert in place, and will decide whether to attempt this later or not.

Oh, and the "real thing" is very expensive. I only have about $13 invested at this point.

[M3 Ryan]

I have attempted this before, but scratching the insert clean is damn near impossible. Just buy the one for illumination. I got one now and I plan to modify the knob to make the LED's work, but its in my E28 so it will be kinda unique. I havn't seen anyone do this in an E28 before, just all the 3's...
Oh, and use LED's not bulbs as the heat from the bulbs will probably melt the surround plastic and then the bulb will burn out prematurely... just my 2 cents...

[hamann318is]

Does anyone know the part number for the M-stripe illumination emblem? I can only find the number for the ///M logo emblem.

You can just find a E34 M5 and steal the shift knob; something I'm not doing. ;)

[RCWells]

Ryan, I do have the one for illumination. And the only LEDs I could find at Radio Shack have a "casing" around them, not just the bulb. It is bigger as a result, and therein lies some of my concern. I wish I could see this in person to see how it's done. If you decide to do yours, take some pics as you go.

Thanks.

Sorry, I don't know a number for the stripe version, only the M.

[zandi]

Buy a glow in the dark shift knob.

[Bryson]

wow, I did that a few years ago using LEDs.. I think I put it in my e12, Ryan, no e28 though.
I used some chemical that pretty much stripped the silver paint but not the black, and a toothbrush to get in the pattern/numbers. I got lucky on the chemical I guess :)
I've been using the factory one for a good 2+ years now, on and off with my old alu knob in the 318is

I'd suggest running the power wires along the stitching seams on the knob, that's the way I did it on the one I made, and the factory does something similar to that as well

fyi- any leather factory knob can easily be turned into a lighted one with a few parts - not sure if they can be ordered individually though

[bimmerphile]

25 11 2 231 554 is the number which you seek.

http://www.timthurber.com/knob.html

and the page is still up, sans images.