How to change lights on centre console?

[g8jka]

I've had a look through the side cheek on the left (passenger) side and as far as I can tell one bulb plugs in from behind between the temperature and fan knobs, and the other plugs up from underneath between the temperature and distribution knobs. Am I looking at the right things?

Yes, that's the ones they sit in little black holders and are sometimes a struggle to pull out and put back in. One in the back and one underneath, 2 wires going to them from what I remember. Much easier being able to see and replace them than doing it blind through the stereo hole.

 

[Sean d]

I also soldered new bulbs on to the holders as I'm a tight sod,

 

[hard top]

Now here is a daft idea.
Never having had to change my bulbs in the six years I owned the car, I have little idea what it looks like behind the dials.
Would it be possible to stick a LED strip in there and wire it up?

 

[pgunter]

@hard top Not such a daft idea. I wonder if you can wire in a few LED's to give a desired effect. Might have to consider that one.

 

[Mint]

Would it be possible to stick a LED strip in there and wire it up?

That's actually a very good idea Mike, now we have to put it into practice

 

[pgunter]

Interesting is the fact that the W3W bulb has an official BMW replacement.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genui...473893?hash=item2cb728ede5:g:BwUAAOSwUsJYV~p9

Might have to get the soldering iron out and see what can be sorted with a strip of LED's

 

[pgunter]

OK Folks... what do we think ? Possible to configure maybe but its how the bulb can be mounted for the gauges.

http://www.ledkia.com/uk/buy-g4-led...MI5OHdtoPL1QIVVjPTCh2XAQDTEAQYCSABEgLuhvD_BwE

 

[hard top]

I wonder if you can wire in a few LED's

If I was going to do it, I would not mess about with single bulbs, I would just use a strip of LED.
Its only to back light the dials after all.

 

[pgunter]

If I was going to do it, I would not mess about with single bulbs, I would just use a strip of LED.
Its only to back light the dials after all.

Mike,

I would think that the location of where the two bulbs are located would be the best place. A strip would be a good idea but it depends on how you can direct the light to the desired place rather than light up the whole of the back of the console like a beacon.

 

[5harp3y]

Just an FYI on the standard bulbs

They are made by TE Connectivity and i asked my contact if he can get me some generic versions that are cheaper but he said the design is proprietary to BMW and as such not available anywhere apart from bmw.

some led versions are definitely needed and then just hot glue them in place

 

[5harp3y]

OK Folks... what do we think ? Possible to configure maybe but its how the bulb can be mounted for the gauges.

http://www.ledkia.com/uk/buy-g4-led...MI5OHdtoPL1QIVVjPTCh2XAQDTEAQYCSABEgLuhvD_BwE

View attachment 62862 View attachment 62863

they look like they may work but might be way too bright

 

[Mint]

OK Folks... what do we think ? Possible to configure maybe but its how the bulb can be mounted for the gauges.

http://www.ledkia.com/uk/buy-g4-led...MI5OHdtoPL1QIVVjPTCh2XAQDTEAQYCSABEgLuhvD_BwE

View attachment 62862 View attachment 62863

That's a good shout Paul. We need to know the diameter of the hole that original bulb holder mounts in. I think this 10mm diameter LED is too big, although it does need to be an interference fit

 

[pgunter]

Looks like the bulb holder can be reused.. The bulb looks like a W3W .. so the hunt continues.

 

[pgunter]

This being the little blighter. Need to see if somebody has an accurate measurement of the bulb and the wattage. as its not listed.

 

[hard top]

rather than light up the whole of the back of the console like a beacon.

Good point.
I use them in the house as back lighting with a small dimmer that also allows for the color to change if you want.
Unlike the strip across the top of my head board in my bedroom that is bright white that I use for reading, and yes, that would just be overkill behind the console.

 

[Mint]

This being the little blighter. Need to see if somebody has an accurate measurement of the bulb and the wattage. as its not listed.

View attachment 62864 View attachment 62865 View attachment 62866

Yep, that's the beastie. The bulb is bonded into the plastic holder

 

[pgunter]

I am sure with a little bit of scalpel usage.. that can be removed.. Just need to find a suitable bulb. Several possibilities exist but need to see about how it will fit into the holder. They are replacements for the W3W bulbs. so the headlight switch one could be replaced too.

The bulb far right is a replacement so I have emailed the company to see what the dimensions are.

 

[Jjim]

Interested in seeing if the LED will work. As the bulb over the air flow direction now has gone on mine so will need to replace soon.

 

[hard top]

I have never thought about LED lighting to be honest, just went out and bought them, mostly from Ikea...
So just had a quick read..... https://www.flexfireleds.com/top-4-considerations-before-buying-flexible-led-strip-lights/

https://www.flexfireleds.com/content/Flexfire-LEDs-Strip-Comprison-Chart.pdf

 

[pgunter]

By the sound of this, if it works it might be a popular mod.