Author Topic: Dome Light (Read 7184 times)

ultimatejohn · « **on:** November 18, 2007, 02:59:57 PM »

Can it be done?
I recently purchased a 318is and all it has in place of a dome light is the crank for the sunroof.

What do I need to get this in my car? And is it even possible?
(Stolen from the "LED BULBS" thread on e30tech)

By the way, I just mean the dome light and switches. I don't quite need the LED's yet haha.
Are those numbered switches part of the electric sunroof swap? Do I need an electric sunroof in the first place to get this?

Any help is appreciated!
Thanks

nickmpower · « **Reply #1 on:** November 18, 2007, 03:03:13 PM »

there never was a dome light. There is a maplight mirror you can get though

ak96ss · « **Reply #2 on:** November 18, 2007, 03:36:26 PM »

I believe those numbered buttons are for "Homelink" or the equivalent, to program your garage door openers into the car so you don't have to carry them around.

And nickmpower is correct, there has never been a domelight in the 318is (or any E30 except maybe the cabrios). You can either add a mirror with maplights, or I have seen someone make a custom replacement for the useless check panel up there that had a light in it.

tony92ic · « **Reply #3 on:** November 18, 2007, 10:49:32 PM »

Don't get a cabrio dome light - they are worthless.
Since cabrio mirrors are glued to the windshield (unlike all other E30s) I switched to a mirror from a 95 Mustang GT convertible which has both the domelight and maplights in it.
Otherwise the optional BMW mirror has maplights in it. Since you are going to have to wire it anyways you could just wire it so the maplights come on when the door is open. It would work just like a dome light. I put one in my 2002. Its amazing they used the same springloaded mounting system for that long.

ultimatejohn · « **Reply #4 on:** November 22, 2007, 08:21:33 AM »

What about that domelight cluster? The one with the two round lights and the rectangular light. Was the an optionon our cars? or just 325's?
Also, if it is an option on other e30's and I pull one from a scrapyard, would I be able to make it work without TOO much hassle and fabrication?

Thanks for the help guys!

strad · « **Reply #5 on:** November 22, 2007, 09:16:12 AM »

Quote from: tony92ic;37903

Don't get a cabrio dome light - they are worthless.

My cabrio's dome light is a whole helluva LOT brighter than the two lights in my sedan. And it's the correct wattage too.

I've been thinking about the map light mirror conversion on the 318 because it's so damn dark in there.

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 22, 2007, 09:26:43 AM »

That dome light looks like it is out of an e39 5 series. I think that I'm going to measure the dome light on my parent's e34 to see if it has any chance of fitting where the check panel is. The lights go for cheap on ebay, and they are pretty bright. Much cheaper than messing with a $60 maplight mirror

tony92ic · « **Reply #7 on:** November 22, 2007, 09:48:36 PM »

Quote from: strad;38150

My cabrio's dome light is a whole helluva LOT brighter than the two lights in my sedan. And it's the correct wattage too.

It's been a few years since I owned an e30 tin top, but I don't remember them being that bad, but M3s had the map light mirrors so maybe that's why.

And now that I think about it there is probably a big differnece between a beige interior car and black interior car. The lighter interior car would seem lighter.

jpod999 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 22, 2007, 09:55:54 PM »

I have my two overhead lights off. I know pretty much where the key goes...so I don't need them at night.

Majikal · « **Reply #9 on:** November 22, 2007, 10:08:21 PM »

Ive been thinking about getting some super bright LED's from my guys at Oznium.com, maybe these LED floods, one on each side of that overhead SRS plastic panel thingy.... http://www.oznium.com/high-intensity-led-floodlight

Id just wire it to a switch in my center console and use those as dome lights... they are certainly bright enough and that particular model gives off a nice wide angle of light.

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 23, 2007, 08:55:20 AM »

The only thing that I don't like about LEDs is that the light doesn't seem natural at all. It is very, very harsh and will really show the imperfections in your interior...

ultimatejohn · « **Reply #11 on:** November 23, 2007, 10:15:56 AM »

Quote from: gearheadE30;38153

That dome light looks like it is out of an e39 5 series. I think that I'm going to measure the dome light on my parent's e34 to see if it has any chance of fitting where the check panel is. The lights go for cheap on ebay, and they are pretty bright. Much cheaper than messing with a $60 maplight mirror

Definitely let me know how that goes! I'm already tired of having one interior light (the other doesnt work). Plus, the previous owner painted the inside of the plastic lens red (?!!?) for some reason, and it looks really, really dumb. haha:p

AL GReeNeRy · « **Reply #12 on:** November 23, 2007, 02:27:51 PM »

heres my alternative...

light off:

light on (cant really tell due to flash):

quick info:
used the airbag/seatbelt indicator. cut a hole in the center using the side door light holder as a template. used eletrical tape to block off the airbag and seatbelt indicators. wired the light to the drivers side door light.

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 23, 2007, 04:16:24 PM »

How did you manage to get wires from the original lights to behind the check panel? Its about impossible to take the headliner panel off, and I havn't figured out any other way yet.

AL GReeNeRy · « **Reply #14 on:** November 23, 2007, 10:14:14 PM »

Quote from: gearheadE30;38232

How did you manage to get wires from the original lights to behind the check panel? Its about impossible to take the headliner panel off, and I havn't figured out any other way yet.

startin from the drivers side light.

pop the light out.
pull the weatherstripping down.
gather all your wires together (dont need to be wired up yet).
fish it through the corner where the headliner meets the black visor panel.
once through there just pull the wires through the check panel hole and tuck the wires between the windshield and black panel.

the hardest part is gettin it through that corner, but once you pull down the weatherstripping youll see a small passage. wiring is simple of course, just wire it exactly like the drivers side light. i guess this could also be done with the passenger side but in reverse.