Electrics, window switch... illumination

[getty150]

A little electrical retrofit fun here...

I want to have the rear window
switches illuminate in the dark for my early e83.
On Models 08 and beyond the switches illuminate.

What must I do to wiring to make this happen...I'm not electrically inclined.

Any "know how" out there...?
Thanks!


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[wpoll]

You'll need illuminated switches or add illumination to the existing switches and a source of switched lighting power. That's about it.

If the rear doors do not already have switched lighting power, then you'll need to run a feed from the nearest source, possible in the a-pillars (feeds to the front doors), although there may be other lighting options closer.

[wpoll]

I had a look at the wiring diagram. As you say, the early models don't seem to have the illumination on the rear window switches. Check on the rear switches (pop one up/out) and see if there are four wires running to the switch or only three. If there is four, pin #3 (GR/RT - Grey/Red) is the illumination power.

If it's there, it might just be a matter of fitting later model switches...

[getty150]

Your so on point!
!
The fronts have the four lines.
The rears don't. they have the three.
While at the boneyard a week ago I found a 2010 model. I clipped as much wiring as I could pull for each of the two rears (they have the four wires). I didn't have the proper tools to remove the door panels.
Ok so where do we go from here?
That forth line...it's not the power line. I'll need to make a connection to the "illumination" line?
By the way all switches have the
illumination capabilities. I'll just need to find/create that missing line.

Thanks for your own illumination

[wpoll]

Progress... so the next step would be to look at the body side of the door connectors (X274 & X274) and check if the illumination is wired at least that far - check for a GR/RT wire on pin #11.

Windows Switch (new)


Window Switch (old)


Door Connector


If you are lucky, there will be illumination power to this connector and you can simply complete the circuit from that point.

[getty150]

Daylight is gone now here.
I doubt the the illumination line is there. Otherwise it would be connected already. Chances are slim that the wire is bound/buried in the taping waiting for me, joe retrofit and make me happy. Ill go into the door tomorrow and investigate.

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[wpoll]

Originally Posted by getty150

Daylight is gone now here.
I doubt the the illumination line is there. Otherwise it would be connected already. Chances are slim that the wire is bound/buried in the taping waiting for me, joe retrofit and make me happy. Ill go into the door tomorrow and investigate.

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I mean check on the car-side of the connector. Unlikely to be any wiring in the door but the task will get exponentially easier if the car-side wiring is there!

[getty150]

Originally Posted by wpoll

I mean check on the car-side of the connector. Unlikely to be any wiring in the door but the task will get exponentially easier if the car-side wiring is there!

"car side"?
I don't understand.
273 and 274 are the same... different years?
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[wpoll]

Originally Posted by getty150

"car side"?
I don't understand.
273 and 274 are the same... different years?
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Car-side meaning the half of the connector attached to the car door frame (pillar), not the side of the connector attached to the door. It's very likely to be fully wired to that point.

Make sure you disconnect the battery before you unplug this connector - or don't turn on the ignition with it undone or you will get an SRS fault logged and an SRS error (airbag error) light on the dash.

The X273/X274 difference is a typo in the diagram (I think). X273 and X274 are left-side and right-side connectors and the diagram author got confused as to which side was which in which version (LHD/RHD).

[getty150]

Ahhh.... how would I get to the "car side?"

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