Author Topic: Map Light Mirror retro Horror Story - READ if you have performed or are considering! (Read 6076 times)

roundel318 · « **on:** November 10, 2008, 12:48:05 PM »

I wanted to share my story performing my map light rearview mirror retro as my experience was more troublesome than many and I would be interested in feedback from anyone that has perhaps run into the same problem I did.

I procured a good working unit from ebay and referenced the DIY article (among many others) at http://e30.bmwdiy.info/lighted-mirror/index.html

The problem I had was when removing the old mirror from the metal base plate in the car, in that I found the backside of the mirror mount head seemed to have made contact with some sort of glaze (my car is diamond black metallic and the base plate is painted body color as all are) from the paint drying and caused the base plate to get stuck to the backside of the mirror mount head. After an hour of wiggling around every which way with no success, I decided I just wasnt pulling hard enough.

You have that instinctive feeling that hits you when you are pulling so hard you think "this must be too hard"...and it was :eek:

My old mirror came out WITH the base plate still attached, pulling the base plate from its rivet mouts that have holes in a piece of metal across the entire front of the roof that is stamped into the roof itself.

After much consideration on any way to address the issue with re mounting with any hardware solution, JB Weld became my friend for the first time (there was another solution but only rated to 200 degrees F and the black metal on the roof will get hoter than that on a 100 degree day in the sun.)

Anyhow, the wiring proved to be the EASY part in my case:)
No check panel here, so 12V was coming from down somewhere else!
I just spliced in off the glovebox flashlight charge circuit, this is on a similarly loaded 7.5A circuit as it would be wired from the factory or the check panel method, PLUS it's always hot so map lights work without a key

MY RECOMMENDATION on a solution to this is to:
Totally remove the headliner / sun visor trim (sun visors, sun roof hardware, a few screws) and use a LARGE standard screw driver (flat head) to run between the mounting base plate in the body and the mounting head of the mirror itself to ensure seperation. Many mirrors' spring loaded double nipple mechanism's are very tight due to age and barely will come out as it is.

Anyone else gone down this road?
PS. it's slightly bumpy :p

roundel318 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 10, 2008, 12:58:08 PM »

As with many electrical related topics, I would recommend disconnecting the battery before working on the electrical.
OR
1: Disconnect the circuit for Auto Charging Flashlight (FUSE 21 on E30_91)
AND
2: Do NOT turn key to ON with SRS/Seatbelt dummy panel disconnected, otherwise the Airbag computer starts up, performs it's startup diag and finds the panel light not responding, it will log a fault code in the Airbag computer and flash then steady the SRS light until its reset (sometimes a trip to a dealer as the reset tool differs from many code reader / reset / service reset tools.)

Cheers

cleaner32 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 10, 2008, 01:32:50 PM »

Happened to me as well.

roundel318 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 17, 2008, 04:44:10 PM »

bump this!
:eek:

Vladi · « **Reply #4 on:** November 18, 2008, 03:37:39 PM »

Happened to me too. I couldn't believe it when i was holding the old mirror with the base plate attached to it. D'oh!!

z3frog · « **Reply #5 on:** November 19, 2008, 09:51:02 AM »

Thanks for the heads up! I'm thinking about adding the map light to my car soon.

Royalratch · « **Reply #6 on:** November 19, 2008, 01:13:25 PM »

A yank to the side usually works as it will only come out one spring pin at a time.

Dad luck dude.

ponchiz318 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 13, 2009, 02:37:45 PM »

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twinpop171 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 12, 2009, 05:57:27 AM »

Happened to me as well. I used some kind of serious epoxy glue that I had laying around and re-riveted the base plate also for a strong, tight bond.

I know that sick feeling too. I was afraid of busting the windshield as well being so aggressive with the old mirror.

You're right that the wiring is the easy part.

Dan

Tonyb · « **Reply #9 on:** February 13, 2009, 01:13:50 AM »

I'm just gonna buy the glove box flashlight now and forget the map lights....

M42lover · « **Reply #10 on:** February 18, 2009, 11:36:39 PM »

No need to completely remove headliner. Gently pull down the door seals on the door frame of the car, they should pull away with some effort, pull from the corners where the vent window would be.
Next take the sunroof handle and plastic housing off.
Peel away the trim for the A pillar metal piece but do not remove.
Pull down gently on the roof panel plastic piece and it kind of pops out from whats holding it on the side roof of the interior so its hanging but still connected at the sunroof opening. Let it hang there.
I ended up drilling 3 holes where the rivets went in the piece that came off with the mirror. I then bought 3 stainless #14 X 3/4" metal screws and screwed it back on to the 3 holes in the roof with the map mirror attached. Rock solid.