Dome light operation?

[guyglemieux]

I feel like a twit. How do these dome lights work on an 1999 roadster Z3 M? First position switch of light is permanently on. Middle stage is for intermittent work. I'm use to opening the door and the light comes on, close the door and the light goes out and the third stage keeps the light off permanently. I've waited 5-6 minutes to see it turn off but with no luck. If I pull on the headlight switch, no reaction. Another day I opened the door and the light came on, Wow but it never went out,
Help
Guy

 

[Althulas]

The switch if I remember correctly should be in the middle position. Try checking your boot switch is not sticking and the black button on the door striker plate. You can leave the door open and press down on it and the light should fade after a few seconds.

 

[NZ00Z3]

Make sure that it has a good old fashioned incandescent bulb in it. If someone has replaced it with a LED, that might be the problem. LED's don't need a lot of voltage to strike and even less to maintain a glow.

 

[guyglemieux]

Murray Wall.
I just bought a new light directly from Bmw. The old bulb wasn't there so I voted for an original..

Athulas,
I cannot find the boot switch. I guess it is well hidden and no black button is visible.??

 

[guyglemieux]

Murray Wall.
I just bought a new light directly from Bmw. The old bulb wasn't there so I voted for an original..

Athulas,
I cannot find the boot switch. I guess it is well hidden and no black button is visible.??

 

[Rudyrov]

My 98' 2.8l Z3 has a 3 position door switch located on the dome light itself at the top of the front windscreen. The switch is OFF when it is pushed at the rear, in door mode when in the middle, and constantly on when the rocker switch is depressed towards the front window. You should note that the Door position also has a delayed off feature that you can't turn off to my knowledge.
When the switch is in door mode the light will come on as soon as the door opens, when the door closes my dome light stays on for about 20 to 30 seconds, then it fades away until it seems to be fully off.

 

[guyglemieux]

Rudyrov,
I'm in 100% agreement with you. My switch is exactly like yours. Only thing is when it is in the middle position my light always stays on. I believe once (rare moment) the light actually turned on after I closed the door. That's it.
So I am (gain) in complete agreement with you.
In general the door does not activate or disactivate the light. SoI looked but I can't seem to find the door switch.

 

[Althulas]

 

[guyglemieux]

I thank you. I never would have found it. Going to look at my car.
Thank you

 

[NZ00Z3]

Stand outside of the car. Close the door and watch the light. If it does not turn off as expected, push he door closed a bit more with your knee. If the light goes off, its the door switch.

 

[guyglemieux]

Murry,
I held the black button switch as far as I CAN PUSH IT FOR ABOUT 15-20 SECONDS. I TRIED THE DOOR ON THE OTHER SIDE ALSO, no
reaction. Is there some kind of relay switch inside (behind) the dome electrical box which could be faltering? Could it be my light bulb not getting a good contact?

 

[guyglemieux]

I would like to thank everyone as far in trying to help me.

 

[guyglemieux]

I still have not found the solution. ???????????????????????

 

[guyglemieux]

I finally put my finger onto the problem, thanks to all of your help. The black button that I could not find well thats it. I had to hold it in as far as possible for about 10-15 seconds and the light went out. Now all I may need is either some king of cleaner or WD to lossen the switch button. If that doesn't work I will have to remove the striker and go from there. Could be that the door striker ma be out too much. Am I on the right track?

 

[t-tony]

Looks like you're on the right track now. I would try some of this (other types are out there).

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Tony.

 

[guyglemieux]

Thanks for bearing with me. All of you.

 

[davidrbroder62]

I feel like a twit. How do these dome lights work on an 1999 roadster Z3 M? First position switch of light is permanently on. Middle stage is for intermittent work. I'm use to opening the door and the light comes on, close the door and the light goes out and the third stage keeps the light off permanently. I've waited 5-6 minutes to see it turn off but with no luck. If I pull on the headlight switch, no reaction. Another day I opened the door and the light came on, Wow but it never went out,
Help
Guy

I have the same problem. Even with the switch in the middle position and either the striker switches pressed it still won't go out.

 

[davidrbroder62]

The switch if I remember correctly should be in the middle position. Try checking your boot switch is not sticking and the black button on the door striker plate. You can leave the door open and press down on it and the light should fade after a few seconds.

No matter what I do the light WILL NOT GO OUT. I don't know what to do. Any ideas?

 

[Althulas]

Have you messed with the dome light at all? If you have you might have disturbed one of the three switch contacts to be in contact when it should not.

 

[davidrbroder62]

Have you messed with the dome light at all? If you have you might have disturbed one of the three switch contacts to be in contact when it should not.

I haven't touched the light.