Adding an interior light to an otherwise dark place
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Adding an interior light to an otherwise dark place
I've been wanting to do this for some time now and finally got to do it, thanks to having to work on the sunroof mechanism as well for other reasons
Adding this light in place of the sunroof motor access panel requires removing the front header panel as well, so it was one of those "while I'm in there" moments
The light assembly that I used is actually an interior light for an E21, probably others as well, and fits exactly in the access panel cutout as if it were made for it
I ran the wiring from the existing interior light that's over the driver's shoulder (doing not much of anything ) which included a always hot power lead and a ground lead from the door switches, so that the new light would work just as the existing one does
One other ground is required, which I tapped into underneath the header panel, as there's a groundling point for the power sunroof motor right there
The photos show how I ran the wiring, fitment (which I admit is very tight due to the height of the light assembly versus the sunroof motor) and the final results, which I think are stunning and a HUGE improvement
lemme know what you guys think
Adding this light in place of the sunroof motor access panel requires removing the front header panel as well, so it was one of those "while I'm in there" moments
The light assembly that I used is actually an interior light for an E21, probably others as well, and fits exactly in the access panel cutout as if it were made for it
I ran the wiring from the existing interior light that's over the driver's shoulder (doing not much of anything ) which included a always hot power lead and a ground lead from the door switches, so that the new light would work just as the existing one does
One other ground is required, which I tapped into underneath the header panel, as there's a groundling point for the power sunroof motor right there
The photos show how I ran the wiring, fitment (which I admit is very tight due to the height of the light assembly versus the sunroof motor) and the final results, which I think are stunning and a HUGE improvement
lemme know what you guys think
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Bobbo
1980 633 CSi Cypress Green/Pearl Beige
2017 X5 M Sport Xdrive 35i Carbon Black/Ivory White
2005 330 Ci ZHP Cabrio Imola Red/Bone/Black
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Re: Adding an interior light to an otherwise dark place
Shots of the wiring process
Forgot to mention, the actual light is an LED (obviously...) from Superbright LEDs
It's a 6 LED festoon bulb P/N 4210-CWHP6-V2
Forgot to mention, the actual light is an LED (obviously...) from Superbright LEDs
It's a 6 LED festoon bulb P/N 4210-CWHP6-V2
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Bobbo
1980 633 CSi Cypress Green/Pearl Beige
2017 X5 M Sport Xdrive 35i Carbon Black/Ivory White
2005 330 Ci ZHP Cabrio Imola Red/Bone/Black
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Re: Adding an interior light to an otherwise dark place
Nice work! I may have to explore that.
Tommy
1989 635 CSI (Second owner since Jun 1995, driven daily and retired in 2013 with 295k to occasional driving)
2011 335D (Daily driver) with 103,550
1989 635 CSI (Second owner since Jun 1995, driven daily and retired in 2013 with 295k to occasional driving)
2011 335D (Daily driver) with 103,550
- Slownrusty
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- Location: Houston, TX
Re: Adding an interior light to an otherwise dark place
Looks great!
Bright idea!
(I'll be here all week folks...ALL WEEK!!)
Bright idea!
(I'll be here all week folks...ALL WEEK!!)
Re: Adding an interior light to an otherwise dark place
I am struggling to find the pictures but I am sure I posted them at some stage but for my Series 2 car I utilised the pop-in plastic cover for the sunroof motor. I drilled six holes in it and in the centre four I put four bright white LED's which come on when the 'B' pillar lights come on and in the outer 2 holes I put two amber LED's that come on when the lights are put on so you get an slight amber ambient glow over the centre console area like you get in an E39.
2001 Alpina B10 V8 Touring (1 of 12 rhd)
1997 Alpina B12 5.7 L (1 of 2 rhd)
1995 Alpina B10 4.6 Touring (1 of 1 rhd)
1985 BMW M635CSi (1 of 524 rhd)
1982 BMW 635CSiA (1 of 100's left from the 1000's made and still valiantly fighting against a rusty grave)
1997 Alpina B12 5.7 L (1 of 2 rhd)
1995 Alpina B10 4.6 Touring (1 of 1 rhd)
1985 BMW M635CSi (1 of 524 rhd)
1982 BMW 635CSiA (1 of 100's left from the 1000's made and still valiantly fighting against a rusty grave)
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Re: Adding an interior light to an otherwise dark place
Sharkfan, that would be awesome if you could dig them up
I know that Tommy is looking into this upgrade for his '89 and could use some assistance
And keep the jokes coming Yasin
I know that Tommy is looking into this upgrade for his '89 and could use some assistance
And keep the jokes coming Yasin
Bobbo
1980 633 CSi Cypress Green/Pearl Beige
2017 X5 M Sport Xdrive 35i Carbon Black/Ivory White
2005 330 Ci ZHP Cabrio Imola Red/Bone/Black
Re: Adding an interior light to an otherwise dark place
Here you go - sorry for the crappy pics
White LEDs, on with the b-pillar lights...
Orange LED's (washed out by the flash), on with the ignition...
To narrow the field of the orange LED's I mounted them about a 1cm up inside a short electrical grommet...
2001 Alpina B10 V8 Touring (1 of 12 rhd)
1997 Alpina B12 5.7 L (1 of 2 rhd)
1995 Alpina B10 4.6 Touring (1 of 1 rhd)
1985 BMW M635CSi (1 of 524 rhd)
1982 BMW 635CSiA (1 of 100's left from the 1000's made and still valiantly fighting against a rusty grave)
1997 Alpina B12 5.7 L (1 of 2 rhd)
1995 Alpina B10 4.6 Touring (1 of 1 rhd)
1985 BMW M635CSi (1 of 524 rhd)
1982 BMW 635CSiA (1 of 100's left from the 1000's made and still valiantly fighting against a rusty grave)
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Re: Adding an interior light to an otherwise dark place
Great cabin/maplight Mod Bobbo!
DV
Motorsport & Vintage Coupes
ALPINA Oldtimers of Course...
BMW-Classic CCA
Motorsport & Vintage Coupes
ALPINA Oldtimers of Course...
BMW-Classic CCA
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- Location: Gilroy (SF Bay Area) CA
Re: Adding an interior light to an otherwise dark place
Thanks Dug
Quite the PITA, and I'm still not happy with the fit, as it's not quite "flush" with the header panel, due to the big honkin' manual nut on the sunroof motor
Still looks great though, and I can see
Quite the PITA, and I'm still not happy with the fit, as it's not quite "flush" with the header panel, due to the big honkin' manual nut on the sunroof motor
Still looks great though, and I can see
Bobbo
1980 633 CSi Cypress Green/Pearl Beige
2017 X5 M Sport Xdrive 35i Carbon Black/Ivory White
2005 330 Ci ZHP Cabrio Imola Red/Bone/Black