bmwe21.net forums

The e30 has an accessory socket behind the glove box, has anyone ever tried to retrofit this into an e21 ?

You mean the socket for the rechargeable lamp? I believe that socket came standard in all E21's as well, at least in the facelifted versions. Mounts are there.

no, there is something called an accessory socket behind the glove box on e30's. There is where you plug in any optional extras the car has. So, this is where you would plug in your headted seats for argument sake.

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/index.php/Loom

Easy to install but just make sure it runs through a fuse and uses the correct gauge wire.

Ah the confusion is because of LHD/RHD since its on the left hand side... which isn't where we have our gloveboxes haha. Apart from wiring/fuses, in the E30 the connectors are specific for certain use to avoid wrong connections or short circuits. Inventing something like that for the E21 will cause the same risks. Unless you just want a bunch of extra 12V sockets for general use, then still the fuses need to be the correct ones for the chosen application.

I m trying to retrofit heated seats on my e21 using genuine genuine e30 parts. Now, i have got the loom and switches and have ordered brand new heat pads but if all the loom is doing is providing a 12v supply, maybe i could get away with not having the accessory socket and instead find a 12v supply and earth clamp somewhere else on the car and put an inline fuse instead of a replay.

Hi Mobster,

a relay is still required to stop the switch contacts burning.

John, you interested in doing this mod for me ?

any vehicle electrical guy can do this Mobster - so as long as you have all the parts.