» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | | | 1999 M3 Swap 09-07-2023 10:10 PM 06-01-2024 03:04 PM 7 Replies, 410,008 Views | | My 318ti build 05-21-2024 04:48 PM 05-28-2024 06:42 PM 1 Replies, 3,854 Views | | OMG!OMG! 05-28-2024 08:53 AM 05-28-2024 08:53 AM 0 Replies, 1,584 Views | | | | | 12-10-2009, 02:33 AM | #1 | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,224 | Howto Remove 318ti Headlight switch Unfortunately, the Bentley manual only has how to do this for the other e36s. It took me several attempts to figure this out, not to mention having to lie upside down so that my head was under the dash, but here it goes: 1. Remove driver side lower dash panel. There should be three screws holding it in place, two under the dash, one on the side of the car - requires opening the driver's door to access. 2. Remove knee bolster - its the weird hard foam looking thing behind the panel. Has three bolts that attach it (I used a 10mm socket). 3. Remove headlight switch knob by turning it counter clockwise. Once you have rotated through the "acceptable" positions, keep turning, it will then screw off. 4. From a vantage point that puts your upper body under the dash, shine a light upwards so that you see the switch assembly. Disconnect the wiring connector by applying gentle pressure on the plastic retaining clip and use a flathead screw driver to work the connector loose. 5. If you look at the switch assembly, along the cylindrical portion leading towards the knob you will see a slot with a slight tab sticking out. Use your flathead to push in the tab, then in a little. This will pop the switch out of the housing and allow you to remove it either with your screwdriver (or if you have removed your cluster, you can just reach in and pull it out. 6. Installation is the reverse of these instructions. I hope I save someone some aggravation | | | 12-10-2009, 09:57 AM | #2 | Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: VIRGINIA Posts: 324 | I recently replaced the faceplate for the headlight switch. When I bought the car, there was a piece of electrical tape covering the hole where the headlight icon used to be. I consulted Bentley and, IIRC, it told me just to pull the knob off. This didn't work. I noticed a small hole in the metal shaft that the knob is attached to. I placed a small screwdriver in the hole to prevent the shaft from turning and I unscrewed the knob easily. What Bentley manual are people using? I think mine is a generic 90s 3-series. For changing out the cabin microfilters, it told me to remove the glovebox. Thank goodness for the tutorial on 318ti.org! | | | 12-10-2009, 04:42 PM | #3 | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,224 | Quote: Originally Posted by MacUser What Bentley manual are people using? I think mine is a generic 90s 3-series. For changing out the cabin microfilters, it told me to remove the glovebox. Thank goodness for the tutorial on 318ti.org! | In defense of the manual, it does say that it only covers the sedan, coupe, and convertible models leaving us out in the wind. Unfortunately, I've not yet run into anything that is as complete and is ti specific other than the collective brains of us here | | | 12-10-2009, 07:40 PM | #4 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: asdfasdf Posts: 10,002 | we should write to Bentley or Haynes and demand a ti-specific manual | | | 12-10-2009, 07:55 PM | #5 | Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: VIRGINIA Posts: 324 | Quote: Originally Posted by zboot In defense of the manual, it does say that it only covers the sedan, coupe, and convertible models leaving us out in the wind. Unfortunately, I've not yet run into anything that is as complete and is ti specific other than the collective brains of us here | So, you use the same version I do. I didn't know whether or not a ti-specific edition existed. I couldn't believe BMW didn't use the exact same switch for all the 3-series. Probably some issue I'm not aware of. | | | 12-10-2009, 08:05 PM | #6 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: asdfasdf Posts: 10,002 | Quote: Originally Posted by MacUser So, you use the same version I do. I didn't know whether or not a ti-specific edition existed. I couldn't believe BMW didn't use the exact same switch for all the 3-series. Probably some issue I'm not aware of. | they actually changed the entire interior for the ti, I'm guessing they made everything cheaper to manufacture since the ti is their entry-level car | | | 12-10-2009, 10:18 PM | #7 | Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Columbia MD Posts: 215 | Quote: Originally Posted by zboot Unfortunately, the Bentley manual only has how to do this for the other e36s. It took me several attempts to figure this out, not to mention having to lie upside down so that my head was under the dash, but here it goes: I hope I save someone some aggravation | You definitely did save some aggravation- I'll look forward to trying it myself soon. Any idea how to remove cruise control components? __________________ *Except 318ti '97 318ti M-Sport '95 M3 BMWCCA | | | 12-10-2009, 11:40 PM | #8 | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,224 | Quote: Originally Posted by MPWR You definitely did save some aggravation- I'll look forward to trying it myself soon. Any idea how to remove cruise control components? | I have a pretty good idea. Right now my stalk is exposed, so I figure all that needs doing is disconnecting electrical connectors and unscrewing switches and figuring out how to pull things out. If you're willing to wait a couple days, I could do a write up on that as well. tsop siht no desab ekoj a ekam ot enoemos sekat ti gnol woh rednow i Last edited by zboot; 12-10-2009 at 11:46 PM. | | | 12-10-2009, 11:59 PM | #9 | Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: VIRGINIA Posts: 324 | Quote: Originally Posted by zboot I have a pretty good idea. Right now my stalk is exposed, so I figure all that needs doing is disconnecting electrical connectors and unscrewing switches and figuring out how to pull things out. If you're willing to wait a couple days, I could do a write up on that as well. i | Cruise control, my kingdom for cruise control. Any chance there's an easy retrofit? Quote: Originally Posted by zboot tsop siht no desab ekoj a ekam ot enoemos sekat ti gnol woh rednow i | ycarT kciD, gnol oot ton gnisseug m'I | | | 12-11-2009, 03:56 AM | #10 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: asdfasdf Posts: 10,002 | damn, put your stalk away, it's too cold outside | | | | Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | |