bmwe21.net forums

This may be a bit of a dumb question but are the heating controls on an E21 illuminated?

Nothing apart from the hazard switch lights up at night. I've never seen another E21 dash at night so I just thought that's the way they are. However, while reading the handbook (whaddya mean that's anal?) I find a mention on page 76 of "Lighting of heating controls, inscriptions and symbols".

If they are supposed to light up then clearly I've been missing something.

Yep should be illuminated, believe there are a few threads on this topic, usually it's just a few bulbs failing or the dimmer (turning the light switch)

Thanks Jeroen. It would seem I need bulbs for the headlight switch, fog switch, at least one in the main cluster (left side) & all centre consol.

My E30's were horrendous to do - I never realised my hands were so big! I'm hoping the E21 is easier.

Is there a how-to guide before I start pulling all the dash out?

Pfew dunno, most won't be too hard I guess, just require removal of the under dash cover and the centre console. For the one in the instrument cluster, well actually it's located above it, the cluster needs to come out. Removing the steering wheel will be the easiest option as the cables aren't too long. And before you start pulling it, make sure to undo the speedo cable first.

Before anyone starts writing long stories, did anyone ever post a how to for removing the instrument cluster? Perhaps check that first using the search function here.

I'll try & remember to take photos when I do the job then I can post a how-to guide.

check my how to in the tech section as a sticky, you can alwayss get some extra pics added for more detail.

Hey, thanks for sharing that picture: I did not remember that the switches left from the steering wheel were (used to be in my car, probably!!) illuminated!!! I have to open the dash in order to have a look at the area....
Or has the guy done this in photoshop?

Nope, they are illuminated

Jeroen wrote:Nope, they are illuminated

OK, I have homework for xmas days then

Another question is, has anyone tried to make the interior lighting brighter? Any ideas on that? (sorry to intrude the topic in this way, but I guess the subject is similar) Would a conversion in led be an option? Or just a bit brighter normal bulbs (eg higher watts) would do the job?

Higher watt bulbs will melt plastic ligt lines and LED have directed light so they will not give enough light to lines and it will be even worse.

I prefer yellow/orange ilumination rather than white/blue.

Mihajlo wrote:Higher watt bulbs will melt plastic ligt lines and LED have directed light so they will not give enough light to lines and it will be even worse.

I prefer yellow/orange ilumination rather than white/blue.

I was also thinking of the higher temperatures of higher wattage bulbs!
However, about the leds I was thinking the following:

1) No blue or white, I also love the orange-red lighting, so no need to change the orange translucent plastic part that stands there (between the bulb and the exterior face) in order to be a colour filter. I guess no problem with the led bulb temperature, am I wrong?
2) about the directed led lighting, wouldn't it work OK if, instead of one central led, more led bulbs were fitted, for example one for each indication?

You're right about LED temperature. They are cold.
But there is enough room for only one bulb...

Mihajlo wrote:You're right about LED temperature. They are cold.
But there is enough room for only one bulb...

Well I guess there's always space for patents

in that case, don't forget to follow your work with pictures!

In case I decide to do this, definitely...