e39 dome light in e36

[persianbmw]

do you guys think the e39 dome light with ambient lighting will plug striaght in and if it doesnt is it as simple as soldering power to power and ground to ground

[cooljess76]

Only one way to find out. Might plug straight in, might need some rewiring. Either way, shouldn't be difficult to make it work. Lights are easy to rig up. Do it and report back with pics/instructions

[clex2]

No, I don't think it is a straight plug and play with the e39 light. This has been on my to do list for years now. I have a few e39 dome lights I have been playing with. The E39 M5 light was hard to get. Anyway, I had discussions with John Firestone about this. He says it's not plug and play. John is a EE guru. He built me a and adapter circuit to interface the e39 light to the e36 harness. Sadly, the adapter is still in the box, as I have yet to find the time to do this. I would contact John and see what he has to say.

[persianbmw]

do you have to cut the dome area to fit the e39 or are they the same size if you want to sell the adapter id be interested. is e39 m5 dome different than the others?

[clex2]

Originally Posted by persianbmw

do you have to cut the dome area to fit the e39 or are they the same size if you want to sell the adapter id be interested. is e39 m5 dome different than the others?

The e39 light fits, but very tightly. I may still use the adapter. If you want one, PM John.

[96cali]

whats so special about this e39 light y'all talkin bout?

[John Firestone]

Originally Posted by 96cali

whats so special about this e39 light y'all talkin bout?

A couple things. First, the E39 dome light has two LEDs that bathe the center console area in soft orange. (I substituted white.) Second, it has pushbuttons instead of toggle switches.



Getting the middle button to switch the interior lights on and off is the big challenge. The E39 switch is a low current momentary that needs some electronics and programming that's missing from the older, E36 ZKE (central module). Hence, the controller I came up with (near the rusted metal).

[ajoystick]

im still confused as to why its worth the trouble? the unit doesn't seem worth the hassle.

[persianbmw]

jump in any bmw post 2000 and ull know ambient lighting makes the interior come alive at night its awsome

[ajoystick]

i know lighting is hard to capture with cameras but lets admire your work here and lets see some nighttime pics

[John Firestone]

Indeed, it was hard to capture, but here you go.

First the interior fully lit:




Then with the ambient LEDs at full brightness to light a map or some driving instructions (when a reading light is too bright):




Finally, the ambient LEDs and footwell lights supplying ambient lighting:

[ajoystick]

A noticeable differance even in a picture, nicely done.

[pdxmotorhead]

I just drove a e46 and the light looks the same, anyone tried that one for fit?

Dave

[John Firestone]

Like the E39 unit, the E46 dome light is also slightly too large but it (or the car's sheetmetal) can be trimmed to fit. It's the same challenge electrically, with a different connector.

Here's a guy who installed one in his E36 M3. He claims "Everything works perfect" which usually means something isn't quite done -- in this case, the middle on/off button.

Argh. All his nice photos seemed to have vanished.

[John Anthony]

Hi John
can you assist me with interior lighting module for my e36 1995 sedan.
l want to install an e39 interior light with mood lighting leds.
cheers
john anthony