New ti owner! Need some help.

[datballa]

So about a month ago i purchased a black 1996 318ti. Its great but the interior needs some work. I finally had some time tonight to go through the interior and see whats missing. Does anybody know what are these 2 wires for? One was under the ashtray by the ciggarette lighter, and the other was under the shifter. And I found that plastic piece under the ashtray. Also, how do I go about removing the.. umm.. im not sure what its called, but its the black area that surrounds the shifter and window buttons.. center console? i doubt it

[Shaggy]

Welcome to the forums...post some pics of your car when you can . About your wiring problem, I really cant tell you where those last two wires are supposed to be plugged into, although the first one looks familiar, I believe its supposed to be plugged into the light for the cigarette lighter. I don't understand why they were unplugged in the first place... maybe someone else can be of help for the next two pics.

[datballa]

Thanks.. and yea those wires weren't connected to anything.. The cig lighter only had 2 prongs on it, and both had wires connected to it so I dont think its for that..

and this is the only good pic I have of my ti

[L84THSKY]

The first pic shows the wires that light the illumination ring around the cigarette lighter.

Originally Posted by datballa

So about a month ago i purchased a black 1996 318ti. Its great but the interior needs some work. I finally had some time tonight to go through the interior and see whats missing. Does anybody know what are these 2 wires for? One was under the ashtray by the ciggarette lighter, and the other was under the shifter. And I found that plastic piece under the ashtray. Also, how do I go about removing the.. umm.. im not sure what its called, but its the black area that surrounds the shifter and window buttons.. center console? i doubt it

[adamud]

I have to agree, the first pic is the light to the cig outlet. Mine melted itself off... and the last pic, i have that same piece sitting in my basket of parts. Not sure what it goes to either.

[Shaggy]

It's a base model right? I'm guessing by the wheels because my Ti is a base and had the same wheels. Any modifications in mind yet?

[datballa]

hm probably is for the light then (theres some clear broken plastic in there somewhere.. guess its broken? time 2 get a new one) what about the other wire? and I believe its a base.. As far as mods go im not sure.. maybe just get some chrome door handles, chrome grill, some nice rims.. what have u done to urs?

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by datballa

hm probably is for the light then (theres some clear broken plastic in there somewhere.. guess its broken? time 2 get a new one) what about the other wire? and I believe its a base.. As far as mods go im not sure.. maybe just get some chrome door handles, chrome grill, some nice rims.. what have u done to urs?

Everything thats in my signature, i've done so far to my car. If I were you I would do rims first, then get all the cosmetic work fixed on the car.

[datballa]

yeah, ive been shopping around for rims... does anybody know what that second wire is for? also, how do you remove the center console? I retrofitted a door lock switch (well the previous owner did it, the wire was there all I did was add the switch =p ) and want to mount it flush on the console as opposed to going in one of the slots near the window switches..

[cooljess76]

That other wire might somehow be linked to your reverse lights. Just a thought, probably wrong but worth checkin out. I haven't disassembled or tinkered with that part of my car yet. BTW, chrome=cheap/tacky. If anything, black out your grilles or paint them to match. My next mod will be blacking out the chrome around the grilles.

[datballa]

na I dont think its for the reverse light, because they come on when I hit reverse =p and i dunno, i sorta like the chromed out look. i mean, I can always swap out and go the black grille route. I ordered some clear side markers off ebay =)

[upstatenybimmer]

not sure what the wires are for...

to take the console out, pop out your rear ashtray and take out the screws underneath where u will find another screw holding the rear of the console in. then (assuming your TI is manual) pop off your shift boot and parking brake boot and then reach underneath the console to pop the hazard switch out where u will find 1 screw holding the console in. that should take the back of the console off. to take the front off you'll have to remove the drivers side lower dash panel and glovebox as well.

this is all from memory (which i dont have too much of) so it might not be 100% correct but itll get you started.

if you plan on working on your car much at all, id go to advanced auto parts and buy a haynes manual for a 3 series 92-98. i have one but just cant seem to find it right now. its only about 20 bucks and will save you hundereds.

[datballa]

im still trying to figure out what that wire in the second image is! =(

[StealthBimmer]

Originally Posted by datballa

im still trying to figure out what that wire in the second image is! =(

Go to www.realoem.com and look at the diagrams and part numbers! It's a great site for bmw. Very helpful in finding all the parts you will need for your new 318ti.

[Mallard]

ive been on there for about 30 mins now, and i cant find it for sh*t fella

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.d...id=47505&hg=61

61, then 10

then half way down, number 6

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...31&hg=61&fg=10

no description though