Tapping into Power Window Switch

tyno · #1 07-22-2017, 11:21 PM

Ok guys. So I'm doing a small project. I need to pull 12 volts from somewhere on each door. I'm increasing my illumination in my door pockets by switching out the LED's that come stock for ambient lighting package for one slightly brighter. Anyway... I can't find a wiring schematic anywhere that tells me what wires do what on the power window switch. I need a 12 volt constant power and a ground to tap into. I know some of you guys are very knowledgeable about this kind of thing. I tried to do this project today by hooking up the LED's to the existing LED module wires down by the door pocket, but I'm assuming maybe they aren't producing 12 volts...because I could not get the new LED to light.

Now I'm just frustrated and tired. Can anyone help me out?

smassey321 · #2 07-23-2017, 08:51 AM

Power windows probably are not switched by 12 volts. Most BMW switches are just on the network telling the module what to do via network/bus signalling. Some BMW lights voltages can be increased by coding. I just noticed this for the reverse light which only get 10 volts.

tyno · #3 07-23-2017, 05:01 PM

Ahh I see... this makes sense then. Well I may just not be able to do this project then. It's looking like it may just be too difficult. Thanks for your help!

json · #4 07-24-2017, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyno

Ahh I see... this makes sense then. Well I may just not be able to do this project then. It's looking like it may just be too difficult. Thanks for your help!

There is going to be some kind of power there. Download and install Rhiengold, it include wiring schematics.

I might be able to look it up for you this evening.

tyno · #5 07-24-2017, 12:38 PM

Thanks for your help! I'm not familiar with Rhiengold. This is some software that you install? If you have the time to look into it for me I'd be forever grateful! Thanks.

tyno · #6 07-25-2017, 12:18 AM

Were you able to find anything? I'm very curious. Surely there is a 12V power source somewhere in the doors.

Quote:

Originally Posted by json

There is going to be some kind of power there. Download and install Rhiengold, it include wiring schematics.

I might be able to look it up for you this evening.

json · #7 07-25-2017, 07:45 AM

Sorry, completely forgot. Maybe I will remember tonight.

You should check out bimmerfest coding forums for Rhiengold links, really useful software.

json · #8 07-25-2017, 09:30 PM

So looks like the only options may be the 30G terminal and the 58G terminal. Google search of 58g defines it as the "lighting" terminal.

tyno · #9 07-25-2017, 10:18 PM

I think it may... I still can't identify which one is putting out 12 volts though.

json · #10 07-26-2017, 07:59 AM

Well from the pdf posted here: Terminals 15, 30, 30g and 30g_f

"Terminal 30g:
Terminal 30g is controlled by the CAS. When the overall vehicle is wakened by an operation of the user, terminal 30g is
switched on. Terminal 30g is automatically switched off after a codable after-run time (e.g. 30 minutes). The after-run
time starts with the event terminal R Off. As in the case of terminal 15, a relay in the distribution box is activated by the
CAS via a semiconductor switch. The relay of terminal 30g switches the battery voltage to approx. 18 fuses in the
distribution box."

I think you will want the 58G, but I can't find much info about it.. its also a much smaller wire than 30G. Maybe you will need to get the power from 30G but signal it from 58G?

If you are replacing lights, why don't you just use the ones that are powering the existing lights?