Author Topic: Overhead Check Panel install... (Read 9139 times)

steel330i · « **on:** January 20, 2011, 01:27:59 AM »

I've searched here, R3V and e30tech, no luck on this question... I bought a used OEM Overhead Check Panel to retro into my 1991 318i, any ideas on how to install this thing I have the plug and wire and it was cut with about 4 feet of wire going to it...thanks all!

-Travis

bmwm42 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 20, 2011, 03:08:34 AM »

Its a pita not with the trouble imo

steel330i · « **Reply #2 on:** January 20, 2011, 06:23:53 PM »

if it's that much of a PITA, then what kind of options do we have of putting something else in that spot since my SRS light is flashing anyways? I was thinking of looking into a dome of some sort but I read that people are putting on a 94-98 Mustang GT mirror with map lights instead, what's that about? Could I put either a dome light or perhaps a speaker there? Sunroof motor retrofit? Thanks all!

-Travis

monko141 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 20, 2011, 07:54:57 PM »

Just unplug it and snap it back in place.

steel330i · « **Reply #4 on:** January 20, 2011, 10:39:38 PM »

Quote from: monko141;100734

Just unplug it and snap it back in place.

What do you mean by this? To clear the SRS?

monko141 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 21, 2011, 11:03:25 AM »

If you just want the light to stop flashing just unplug the wires that lead into the panel. If you want to clear the SRS then buy an SRS tool that diagnoses the problem or take to the dealer and have them diagnose the problem.

steel330i · « **Reply #6 on:** January 21, 2011, 11:07:19 AM »

o Ok I understand now, haha sorry bro, didnt know where you were taking me on that one...yeah I did that already, but my check panel doesn't really fit in there all to well anyways, and so I installed the actual Check panel in there just to fit something in it's place better but it's not wired up...dome light mod?...engage!

longtallsally · « **Reply #7 on:** January 28, 2011, 05:00:15 PM »

A couple things to help you along:

- the map light rear view mirror from the 325is is popular to put in. If you get the whole harness it is plug and play with zero splicing which is nice.

- the power sunroof is a full on conversion that has nor needs to have anything to do with the check panel. In entails the whole overhead console, the tubes for the sunroof cables, and of course the motor and relay with the bracket, in order to be done. This is a killer swap to do IMO.

I've done both of these conversions and they are pretty cool and very nice to have if you are a luxury and gadget nut like me.

Now for the check panel in particular. This 318is is my 4th E30 with the last 3 being 325is' that all had all of this stuff out of the box.

The 318is does not. So in terms of retrofitting, why you wouldn't want to is b/c you'd have to run wiring to:
- tail lights
- license plate lights
- head lights
- oil level sender
- washer fluid tank
- and a few other places

There might be a central set of repositories in the harness that you could splice into, but I'm fairly certain this is the one option that is not plug and play.

So what to do with the space? I saw someone who found that a Chevy truck's lamps went in there perfect and he modified the check panel. I am debating find a GPS that will fit up there and trying to go for an OEMish look. I've seen boost gauges up there for guys running turbos. Pick your poison.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #8 on:** January 28, 2011, 09:25:27 PM »

Or mount an old Palm up there for real-time Megasquirt tuning!

steel330i · « **Reply #9 on:** January 29, 2011, 11:39:04 AM »

Quote from: longtallsally;100951

A couple things to help you along:

- the map light rear view mirror from the 325is is popular to put in. If you get the whole harness it is plug and play with zero splicing which is nice.

- the power sunroof is a full on conversion that has nor needs to have anything to do with the check panel. In entails the whole overhead console, the tubes for the sunroof cables, and of course the motor and relay with the bracket, in order to be done. This is a killer swap to do IMO.

I've done both of these conversions and they are pretty cool and very nice to have if you are a luxury and gadget nut like me.

Now for the check panel in particular. This 318is is my 4th E30 with the last 3 being 325is' that all had all of this stuff out of the box.

The 318is does not. So in terms of retrofitting, why you wouldn't want to is b/c you'd have to run wiring to:
- tail lights
- license plate lights
- head lights
- oil level sender
- washer fluid tank
- and a few other places

There might be a central set of repositories in the harness that you could splice into, but I'm fairly certain this is the one option that is not plug and play.

So what to do with the space? I saw someone who found that a Chevy truck's lamps went in there perfect and he modified the check panel. I am debating find a GPS that will fit up there and trying to go for an OEMish look. I've seen boost gauges up there for guys running turbos. Pick your poison.

Looking into the Power Sunroof mod, I don't use the sunroof that often but that would enhance the value a bit and I could still go with the map light mirror too, correct? Thanks for all the help...

DesktopDave · « **Reply #10 on:** January 29, 2011, 01:44:19 PM »

The sunroof mod is a nice one. I just did that myself. Let me know if you'd like details. You do need the entire thing, pretty much. You can re-use your panel and the cables but everything else is different.

I have a nearly complete setup if you'd like to give it a try, but shipping the big parts would be a problem. It's too fragile & expensive to ship when parts like this are fairly common. Any e30 can donate the parts, they're all the same. Be sure to look for the rare glass moonroof while you're at it. I passed one up at $400, way too rich for my blood. It was tempting though.

longtallsally · « **Reply #11 on:** January 30, 2011, 03:33:49 AM »

Quote from: steel330i;100975

Looking into the Power Sunroof mod, I don't use the sunroof that often but that would enhance the value a bit and I could still go with the map light mirror too, correct? Thanks for all the help...

For the mirror:

http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12759&highlight=map+light+mirror

For the sunroof:

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44036&highlight=power+sunroof

Go to page 3 and read my findings as all the prior was just learning.

And DO NOT believe anyone who says, "I wanna save weight and that's why I don't want the power sunroof." That person is WRONG. The weight difference is negligible if at all between power and non-power. If you get the whole setup from a yard including the harness, you can even have a straight plug and play setup.

steel330i · « **Reply #12 on:** January 30, 2011, 11:57:14 AM »

Dave and Longtallsally,

Thank you very much for the words of wisdom, I'm on the hunt as we speak, not too many yards around where I live, but here's hoping, I'm also going through a potential new clutch and suspension/bushing overhaul in the near future...looking at blunttech for almost everything...Steve is good people...Thanks again...

-Travis