Lights on air vent??

[Gordie]

Are the red and blue temperature indicators on the adjuster wheel in the center dash air vent supposed to light up when the headlights are on??? Also do the white "open" and "closed" indicators alongside the vent light up ??? Mine have never lit up and its a PITA to adjust the temp. and vent in the dark. I think I saw a picture of a lit dash and these were indeed back lit.

Also, has anyone installed replacement acrylic fog light lenses rather than replacing the complete light???

[netmgr]

they dont light up on mine, never did never will...solid plastic with panted legends.

only ever saw it on e32s the 7 series, and you cant fit that version as its to big.

perhaps on cars with air con the story may be different...perhaps someone can confirm.

[rommel]

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=6783&highlight=monitor




Are the red and blue temperature indicators on the adjuster wheel in the center dash air vent supposed to light up when the headlights are on??? Also do the white "open" and "closed" indicators alongside the vent light up ??? Mine have never lit up and its a PITA to adjust the temp. and vent in the dark. I think I saw a picture of a lit dash and these were indeed back lit.

Also, has anyone installed replacement acrylic fog light lenses rather than replacing the complete light???

[CrimsonBrian]

Gordie, I also have a 1995 and mine light up just fine. The little white markers on the sliders are backlit along with the dials for the driver and passenger temps and the fan control. The three buttons controlling A/C, defrost, and internal air circulation only light up when they are pressed. I dont have my Bentley in front of me but I would imagine its an inexpensive fix, but probably a huge pain to actually access the area.

[netmgr]

hang on before you all start telling him to get it fixed and rip his dash apart - as I say mine is just standard painted dials - perhaps cars with air con have illuminated versions.

so you need to check - i would have thought it would be self explanatory to tell if yours are painted or rear illuminated

do you have air con?

[CrimsonBrian]

hang on before you all start telling him to get it fixed and rip his dash apart - as I say mine is just standard painted dials - perhaps cars with air con have illuminated versions.

so you need to check - i would have thought it would be self explanatory to tell if yours are painted or rear illuminated

do you have air con?

OK, you are right, dont tear anything apart until you are sure they are supposed to light up. Although, mine look painted on, but they light up at night so it might be harder than it sounds to figure that out. Unless I am just an idiot, which is possible. :)

[Russell]

Only what appears to painted on red and blue on the center and white on the edges. Did not think they were supposed to light. If they are suppossed to light, I WANT THEM TO LIGHT! :)



Gordie, I also have a 1995 and mine light up just fine. The little white markers on the sliders are backlit along with the dials for the driver and passenger temps and the fan control. The three buttons controlling A/C, defrost, and internal air circulation only light up when they are pressed. I dont have my Bentley in front of me but I would imagine its an inexpensive fix, but probably a huge pain to actually access the area.

[Elekta]

The temp adjust wheels light up on either side of the fan control, and the two vents with the hot/cold reostat wheel lights up too.

To do the temp adjust wheels you need to take out your defrost/recirc/ac button, your radio, and your obc (remember the obc has two clasps, one you can reach with the radio out and the other you need a slim jim to depress it with on the side of the obc and glove box. Then get your hands in the radio slot, and unclip the three vent slider tabs (pic below), and un hook a few wires for the little recirc fan and such, and the temp control will come out.
http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/maintenance/electrical/Data/OBCbulb4.jpg
http://www.nmia.com/~dgnrg/slimjim2.jpg

If you're gonna change bulbs, change them all. This is the bulb for the temp adjust wheels
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ggil-tx/DSCN1612.jpg
and the procedure for removal
http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/maintenance/electrical/panel_lights.htm (remember that lever you see for the obc is on both sides)
http://www.nmia.com/~dgnrg/obc1a.jpg

I believe the vents above the radio will pop out with proper placement of a taped up flat head. There is a write up on that but I don't know where it is.

Best bet is to take these bulbs with you to the stealer as they are so cheap, and you want to eyeball the replacements.

Be really carefull unclipping the clips for the slider controls. The one to direct to your feet can break easily. Also putting everything back in and situating the wires are important to get the radio back in, and have it not interfere with the sliders (anyone else have one slider that won't go all the way over or springs back a bit..that's why)

good luck, and as always, record and host digitals

[Elekta]

Found the link, but it's for e32, so FWIW here it is. gotta believe the release clips are in the same place.
http://www.nmia.com/~dgnrg/page_37.htm

http://www.nmia.com/~dgnrg/ctrvent1.jpg

[Qsilver7]

great work and great post...thanks...Don Gale's website is a wealth of knowledge! (even though its an e32) :D