Relocation of electric hood switch?

[IJSK]

I don’t know about everyone else, but I find the position of the electric soft top switch really awkward.

My Z3 sadly doesn’t have air conditioning and there is therefore one blanking plate free on the centre console.

Has anyone relocated the hood switch there by any chance?

Would it be practical to do so?

Thanks in anticipation!

 

[5harp3y]

My roof switch is in the center console

But not sure on whether there is enough cable to move yours there .

 

[IJSK]

Thank you.

So did you do that yourself or was that the standard fitment in your car?

 

[Sean d]

My switch is also in the centre console

 

[andyglym]

Mine's also in the centre consul.

 

[mid life crisis]

I moved mine from behind the seats to the empty space on the dashboard, quite a simple mod. I just partially lifted the centre console & extended the four wires on the switch. Have read that if you want to take the time to undo the loom that the standard cables are long enough to reach front or back.
It does seem a stupid place to put it in the first place.
Gary

 

[t-tony]

I would just extend the wiring to the front of the console, simple enough job.

Tony.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Lifted my centre console a bit, stripped the loom and found the roof wires, taped the loom up again and job done. I guess it was put there out of the way to stop stupid people from doing something stupid.

 

[Jjim]

My roof switch was taped up and located behind the seats. I unwound the loom tape and moved the switch to the switch location below the heater controls and then taped up the loom again.

 

[IJSK]

Really appreciate the guidance guys - thank you.

I fancy livening up my plain black console with some stainless steel or leather so will relocate the controls at the same time.

 

[Mint]

I agree the switch is very awkward to use. I'd love to move mine but I have no spare switch locations available and I think mounting it on one of those aftermarket brackets would look a bit naff.

 

[Ryan]

@IJSK I took the whole console out over christmas to get at the wiring to move the switch. The wiring for the roof comes from the front anyway, so you just need to trace is back far enough to fit it in. Just be sure to label all the other connectors as you take the dash apart so you know where it all goes back. Whilst mine was out, i also fitted an OBC, swapped the traction control over to the spare spot and gave the whole area a deep clean. Looks better having 4 switches at the front

Pictures in my thread:
https://zroadster.org/threads/the-best-compromise-ever.21842/

 

[Ryan]

@IJSK when you are done, try adding this instead of the switch housing too.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bmw-New-...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

 

[IJSK]

Cheers Ryan most helpful. Very impressed with what you’ve achieved in a short time with your Z3.

I also like the idea of cruise control - didn’t know that was a retrofit possibility.

Sadly I don’t have anywhere under cover to work and the console job doesn’t look like a quick one!

Not sure how I’ll overcome that but I’ll gather parts (nicer console etc) in the meantime.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Moving the switch is fairly quick and easy, as mentioned above the wiring comes from the front so you just need to find it and move it around a bit. Don't need to take the whole console out, would make it a bit easier but can be done just by lifting it a bit.

@IJSK when you are done, try adding this instead of the switch housing too.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bmw-New-Genuine-Z3-E36-Rear-Storing-Partition-8399088/282837782398?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Does that fit where the switches are, between the seats, looks nice but I, for one, have got the LED for the alarm there still. Been meaning to re-locate it, but there's always other things to do.

 

[buze]

Anyone has a writeout on how to lift the console 'a bit' ? Ie enough to play with the loom? That roof switch is annoying, but I'd also like to install my heated rear window switch for the hard top...

 

[the Nefyn cat]

If I remember rightly, two screws at the back end, four at the front, should lift up enough to get under it to fiddle with the wires. Might be easier to take out the passenger seat, only two nuts and two bolts. Just leave the ignition key somewhere safe.

 

[Ryan]

@the Nefyn cat i hadn’t thought about the alarm light, but only because I’ve never seen it flash. Might need to check it works. But if it does or doesn’t I’ll probably tuck it under the console anyway.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

I've been meaning to move it somewhere more visible, maybe into the interior mirror as a lot of cars have it. Just doesn't make sense to have a flashing light to deter dodgy characters and then hiding it out of sight. Will get round to it, just quite low on my list of things to do.

 

[spurs fan in a coupe]

If I remember rightly, two screws at the back end, four at the front, should lift up enough to get under it to fiddle with the wires. Might be easier to take out the passenger seat, only two nuts and two bolts. Just leave the ignition key somewhere safe.

Plus lift the inner trim of the ashtray (if you have one) underneath there will be one big phillips screw holding the centre console down. This plus the two rear ones near the seat belt mount by the handbrake should give you room

To get the whole thing out you need to disconnect the cigar lighter, window up/down switches, remover gear and handbrake gaitors plus remove the radio to reveal another few small screws, on top of the already mentioned 4 screws (under covering plastic trims) either side at the front in the footwells