E30 dashboard light diming

[x-tos]

Hello there,
I could use an answer from any E30 owner right now.
DO the lights on the light height adjuster DIM when you turn the dim knob?
Owned another E30,a  316i ,sold that and now I have a 318is.
I could have sworn they dimmed on the 316, on my 318is they do not.
And apart from that, the grey/red wire that goes to every light on the dashboard that dims, I could have sworn it carried positive 12+ on the 316i , now I see it's -12v. I clearly remember using that wire for everything I wanted to install like electric window switches,the illuminated shift knob etc. This is strange now. Any comments?

[keflaman]

Welcome to the forum!:)

Your memory serves you right as turning the light switch knob dims or brightens the instrument lights. It sounds to me like there's a short in the rheostat, but even at full power the instrument lighting isn't too bright.

I can't tell you anything about your second question, but you can download a wiring manual here (http://wedophones.com/BMWManualsLead.htm) if you don't have one.

[x-tos]

Thank you:) Been reading around the forum for a long time!
I need to verify that the dimmer knob/rheostat dims the 'headlight height adjuster'. The part that is located on the lower dash trim panel. My rheostat works fine...dims the dashboard, heater controls etc but the lights on the  headlight height adjuster are at max and do not dim.

[keflaman]

Ah, I read not what you wrote, but what I wanted to read I guess.

I don't think we ever got headlight height adjusters for the E30 in the US, but I just checked the panel lights for the headlight and fog light switches in my car and they dim with the headlight rheostat.

And that's every bit as helpful as me telling you they don't dim on my Z3.