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Jul 13 2010, 05:24 PM

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e30 - e36 Window Switches

hybrid Post

Admin

Posts: 5,134

Joined: 14-November 04

From: Auckland

Name: Josh P

Car: 01' e39 540i Motorsport

Car 2: e30 s50b32

The goal in this thread is to confirm and create an open document for e30 - e36 Window Switch conversion.

attached is the .XLS file, if you add to it, please make sure the information is confirmed as we need this document to be as accurate as possible.

Ill start with a write up I did in my build thread

Document attached

QUOTE

So today thanks to Ray @ Hellbm (http://www.hellbm.com) converted my horrible e30 window switches to then nice 'click' feel of the e36 switches.

I first tried some green base switches which as I found out dont work. This is because the later model switches are infact digital encoder switches and only

tell the general module (GM) to activate the electric window relays. E30's obviously didnt have such technology so I went for a white base switch.

So I decided to include a small write up to help others, this also includes a wiring diagram from the info I had at hand.

Green base switches (dont use these! )

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10/20/2011http://www.bimmersport.co.nz/forums/index.php?showtopic=30907

Green base digital encoder




Green base pulled apart




White base switch (Use this or Blue base). Notice the thicker wiring


Inside the switch




Proper high current switch contacts to deal with the current from the electric window motors.




Before starting any of this DISCONNECT YOUR BATTERY FROM THE TERMINALS

My brother has had a high current burn before and it burnt a hole right through his hand once, crossing these wires will do the same if you short them

So lets get started,

Remove the gear shifter boot. and remove the e30 window switches, unplug the e30 loom end and we cut the plug off.





Twist the wires on following the wiring diagram carefully. Use electrical tape to shield the wires from each other (make sure you have it all covered) and

reconnect the battery, turn the key to postion 2, and test you windows. You should also have the LED light up (you switch should glow)





After this, disconnect the battery and tin / solder all wires on the switches and e30 loom end.

Right nows the time to enlarge the switch hole in the console to fit the larger e36 switch. I took my time with this and used a half round/flat file. I thought

about using my dremel but there is a risk of over shooting the mark and cutting too much off. constantly test fit the switch and surround




BEFORE you solder the wires together, run them through the enlarged hole. You dont HAVE to do this .. but it makes it easier to locate the switch.

Use heat shrink and a heat gun to shirnk up the tubes.CAREFUL DONT MELT YOU CONSOLE!




Repeat all of this for the other side, obviously following the wiring diagram to suit your switch type. My second switch was from the rear e36 switch panel so

it had different colours I have included it in the wiring diagram.




Put it all back together and reconnect the battery and test.

All Done!







Jul 13 2010, 06:09 PM

Jul 23 2010, 12:23 AM

Jul 23 2010, 03:25 PM

Jul 23 2010, 03:59 PM

Attached File(s)

e30_to_e36_window_switch___wiring_table.zip ( 23.59K )Number of downloads: 8

--------------------

GEEP Post #2

7th Gear

Posts: 3,407

Joined: 25-May 05

From: Auckland

Name: Chris

Car: Im on a boat!

Car 2: 1997 Grand Cherokee

Shifter is oh so badass

--------------------WTFBBQ

Brams Post #3

7th Gear

Posts: 4,538

Joined: 7-August 08

From: Wellington

Name: Nathan

Car: '85 E30 325i

Car 2: '89 E30 M325i

Josh/anyone else, does anyone know if anyone has swapped their E30 electric sunroof switch to E36 also? I have noticed that the E36 switches used for the

windows are the same as the ones used for the sunroof, so do you think it would be possible to make that work as well? JW

Edit found a guy that has done it, could be good to add to the resource?

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1001841

This post has been edited by Brams: Jul 23 2010, 12:58 AM

hybrid Post #4

Admin

Posts: 5,134


From: Auckland

Name: Josh P


Car 2: e30 s50b32

Mean,

I only have a manual winder for the sun roof but if you do the wiring chuck it down in the spread sheet and ill sticky it.

--------------------

Brams Post #5

7th Gear

Posts: 4,538

Joined: 7-August 08

From: Wellington

Name: Nathan

Yeap, will bump this once I have done it hopefully within a few weeks



Jul 23 2010, 04:02 PM

Jul 23 2010, 07:38 PM

Jul 23 2010, 08:17 PM

Jul 23 2010, 09:52 PM

Car: '85 E30 325i

Car 2: '89 E30 M325i

Simon* Post #6

Moderator

Posts: 5,654

Joined: 24-September 07

From: Hawkes Bay

Name: Simon says

Car: 2004 Avant

Car 2: Golf

I heard somewhere that "switches get bitches"

How is this aspect of your upgrade working out so far?

hybrid Post #7

Admin

Posts: 5,134


From: Auckland

Name: Josh P


Car 2: e30 s50b32

haha .. not too well, its spent more time in the garage chillin with the washing machine than out doing the rounds.

The missus likes them cause you dont need a mallet to use the windows now. Does that count ?

--------------------

Simon* Post #8

Moderator

Posts: 5,654

Joined: 24-September 07

From: Hawkes Bay

Name: Simon says

Car: 2004 Avant

Car 2: Golf

It counts mate

westy Post #9

Admin

Posts: 3,549

Joined: 7-August 05

From: Hellsville

Name: Tony

Car: 540

Car 2: Alice

Car 3: 330

QUOTE (Simon* @ Jul 23 2010, 04:02 PM)

I heard somewhere that "switches get bitches"

How is this aspect of your upgrade working out so far?

Quit whoring up automotive forums with wise cracks and non real car related rubbish.

--------------------My name is Bill an' I'm a headcase.



Jul 24 2010, 12:30 AM

Jul 24 2010, 12:41 PM

Jul 26 2010, 01:17 PM

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antil33t Post #10

7th Gear

Posts: 3,492

Joined: 5-May 09

From: Dunedin, Otago

Name: Michael

Car: Broken 320+5i

Car 2: Spermwhale

Who's got the cheapest switches? I want 6.

--------------------http://oi56.tinypic.com/2daymbd.jpg

hybrid Post #11

Admin

Posts: 5,134


From: Auckland

Name: Josh P


Car 2: e30 s50b32

have a chat to ray @ hellbm as usual

--------------------

Jono51 Post #12

3rd Gear

Posts: 784


From: Wellington NZ

Name: Jon Begley

Car: BMW E30 325i

Car 2: E28 525ee

Car 3: E39 528i Touring

Race Car: E30 335i

keren and I will put some switches (with plugs) into bags for kits for anyone interested, hurry there is limited stock

call us and let us know if you have a 2 door or a 4 door E30 and we can take it from there

--------------------(link) JK Southern Euro Ltd

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e30 - e36 Window Switches - bimmersport.co.nz Page … DIY's/BMW_E30_DIY/Interior/e30 to e36... · Green base digital encoder Reduced: 93% of original size [ 1024 x 768 ] -Click to