Introducing: Interior light delay dimming...

[george graves]

george quick question regading the unit - in 2 of the previous e30s ive owned ive seen the relay socket there you speak of with no relay plugged in ever, so would your unit just plug in there and work from the get go?

after i do up my audio, i gotta get me one of these.

That's a good question. Are you sure it was the relay inside the speaker hole and down below? I'll work on some simplified schematics so that if you do receive a unit, you can be sure you're are installing it correctly. I REALLY would doubt that BMW would change the wiring by much. It might just be a matter or matching up wiring colors.

BTW - what year/model were the cars that you speak of?

it seems like that should be easy

It only SEEMS like it would be.

[micahbertoli]

i also have looked in the past and have no relay where yours would go...1991 318is...
anyways, i have festoon led's in my interior light sockets. would the dimming function work with these lights?
also, shipping to canada? V3K 5H8?
thanks,
-micah

[george graves]

i also have looked in the past and have no relay where yours would go...1991 318is...

When you remove your speaker, below the speaker opening you'll see 2 screws. They hold a bracket that the relay attaches to *INSIDE* the cavity...It's really easy to miss. You'll never see the relay unless you undo the two screws and fish it out of there.

Why don't you try listening for the relay? Open the door, and slowly push in the switch in the door jam - you should hear a slight click.

I have festoon led's in my interior light sockets. would the dimming function work with these lights?

I have'nt tested LED's yet, but I can't think of any reason they would not work.

shipping to canada? V3K 5H8?
thanks,

EDIT, I'll have to find out how much more I'll charge for shipping.

[Turf1600]

im in for one. Put my name on the list!

[delatlanta1281]

Sign me up George!

[JeffOlson]

I'll take one, too! Very cool, George!

[e30_kid89]

BTW - what year/model were the cars that you speak of?

both were a 318i(7/90) and 318iS(9/90).

[Raxe]

I'd love one if there's any room left on the list.

Shipping is also to Canada, T5S 2Y4.

[Maluco]

wow, am I the only one that hates the interior lights on unless I happen to need it on for a few seconds? I like to have my eyesight focused during the night and the lights coming on only makes it difficult to see if the boogieman is creeping up on you.

[george graves]

both were a 318i(7/90) and 318iS(9/90).

I did a bit more research...



Well according to the ETK, they(the relays) were installed on everything. Sometimes when BMW deletes a option from a car, like a relay, they leave a loop of wire that the relay would normally activate. Chances are if you are missing the relay and your interior lights work, you'll need to snip that wire before installing.

If there were to be a problem I'd be more than happy to refund your money, I'd only ask that you send the unit back to me.

but as far as I know - every e30 in NA came with one.

...

[DTRguy]

I would also like one! Very cool

[silversleeper]

can somone have the video thrown on youtube? i cant view the one posted for some reason

[Funkmasta]

right click - save to disk - open with windows media player.

[Jscotty]

wow, am I the only one that hates the interior lights on unless I happen to need it on for a few seconds? I like to have my eyesight focused during the night and the lights coming on only makes it difficult to see if the boogieman is creeping up on you.

I am with you on that one. I hate that feature. I do not like the thought of being a "sitting duck" where bad people lurking in the dark have a clear view of me while they are plotting their attack.

I liked the auto-dim feature when I saw it for the first time in a Lincoln Town Car. Soon after I went to the junkyard to get the relay and wired it in. Mine does not work quite the same way as George's does nor is the installation as clean and as neat but I love it.

[Funkmasta]

I am with you on that one. I hate that feature. I do not like the thought of being a "sitting duck" where bad people lurking in the dark have a clear view of me while they are plotting their attack.

Don't park in sketchy places?