[mrdirosa]

It sounds like the e46 and e90 turn signal systems are the same. The e46'ers found out a way to disable the dim orange parking lights - they will only blink now... This way you can have ONLY the angel eyes on or ONLY angel eyes and xenons. This should work for halogens as well (although I would definetely install the small city light so you have something on when parking lights are on).

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=278132

For extra protection, relays should probably be used too... Anyone want to give this a try and make sure the e90 is the same?

-Michael

[ksfrogman]

I like his idea. I actually thought about that awhile back, also realizing that if you do indeed tap the sidemarkers for front signaling, you have the option of replacing the regular (incandescent) bulb with LED type bulbs in the headlights. You could also simply hide the parking light bulbs somewhere else (instead of using resistors) that won't be seen when they light up.

I imagine all one would have to do is take an ohm meter to the OEM bulbs and measure the resistance across it.

[canucklion]

^ Michael, are you gonna tackle this project?

[txusa03]

^lol

[ksfrogman]

Originally Posted by canucklion

^ Michael, are you gonna tackle this project?

Hmmmm, maybe.

[mrdirosa]

Unfortunately, I'm living vicariously through all of you while I have to wait to order my car (ED next year!).

I like to plan everything out in advance - and this has been something that I've wanted to see tried for a long time!

-Michael

[NaTuReB0Y]

i think steve aka "sunchild" has this feature on his e90......

the corner bulbs only come on when he signals..........

[ksfrogman]

A friend of mine is an electrician, and based on the fact that an e46 owner was using 6 ohm resistors on either side, 13V/6ohms = ~ 2 amps per bulb. Does this sound right? Is this the current rating of our corner bulbs? If so, P = I*E, so power = 2amps * 13V = 26 watts of heat from the resistor. That's a lot of heat. Incandescent bulbs are probably 50% efficient (from what I have been told), so a resistor generating 26 watts of heat would be like having a greater than 50 watt light bulb. That's hot.

My electrician friend suggested using a heat sink around the resistor, and mounting it somewhere that won't melt anything.

EDIT:
The owner's manual gives the following specs for the various bulbs:

Parking lamps, roadside parking lamps
5 watt bulb, W 5 W

Turn signals, front
21 watt bulb, PY 21 W or PY 21 W Silver Vision

Side-mounted turn signals
5 watt bulb, WY 5 W or WY 5 W-ST (Silver Top)

Tail lamps
21 watt bulbs, P 21 W

License plate lamp
5 watt bulb, C 5 W

[mrdirosa]

Originally Posted by NaTuReB0Y

i think steve aka "sunchild" has this feature on his e90......

the corner bulbs only come on when he signals..........

Maybe sunchild can chime in here on how he did this!

[canucklion]

haven't seen him posting in a while, hopefully he can chime in if he does have that feature!

Originally Posted by NaTuReB0Y

i think steve aka "sunchild" has this feature on his e90......

the corner bulbs only come on when he signals..........

[Chesmu]

anybody try PM'ing sunchild? It should be linked to an e-mail address. I'm interested in this.... but only if froggy does it first and takes pics... I trust him.

[mrdirosa]

Originally Posted by Chesmu

anybody try PM'ing sunchild? It should be linked to an e-mail address. I'm interested in this.... but only if froggy does it first and takes pics... I trust him.

Yep, I PMed him yesterday to see if he could let us know what he did.

[Chesmu]

no word yet?

[Chesmu]

I'm gonna give this a shot next week. A couple of questions for you guys prior to starting...

1. what if i used 3 2 ohm resistors instead of one 6 ohm? Would it produce less heat?

2. looking at the instructions from the e46 forum, signaling will remain intact, right?

3. which lights are the "parking lamps"?

[ksfrogman]

Originally Posted by Chesmu

I'm gonna give this a shot next week. A couple of questions for you guys prior to starting...

1. what if i used 3 2 ohm resistors instead of one 6 ohm? Would it produce less heat?

2. looking at the instructions from the e46 forum, signaling will remain intact, right?

3. which lights are the "parking lamps"?

Hi. I look forward to seeing the outcome of your little project.

My poor Fräulein is at the auto body shop waiting for a new rear bumper cover, so all experimentation has come to a brief, dramatic halt.

As for the three two ohm resistors in series, I'll talk to my buddy. However, one of the aftermarket BMW vendors sells the 6 ohm resistors with a heat sink attached.

In answer to your second question, yes. Signaling should remain intact by running the sidemarker wires to the corner bulbs. Notice that when you signal, your sidemarkers blink.

The parking lamps are the corner lamps that stay lit when you have the switch turned to parking lamps. They are also on when your headlights are on. I think you already know this, so I believe I'm not completely understanding what you're asking in the last question.

[Alpine]

yeah they're the same light. the 'parking' lamp stays lit, while the 'front turn signal' blinks. it's the same bulb though- it can just multitask.

[Chesmu]

Originally Posted by Alpine

yeah they're the same light. the 'parking' lamp stays lit, while the 'front turn signal' blinks. it's the same bulb though- it can just multitask.

thank you.

[Chesmu]

Originally Posted by ksfrogman

As for the three two ohm resistors in series, I'll talk to my buddy. However, one of the aftermarket BMW vendors sells the 6 ohm resistors with a heat sink attached.

which one? JSlevi has a 6 ohm included with the LED kit, but it doesn;t mention a heat shield.

[ksfrogman]

Here's the link to the resistor :

http://jlevistreetwerks.com/store/ad...9ce4777f9489b1

[Chesmu]

Originally Posted by ksfrogman

Here's the link to the resistor :

http://jlevistreetwerks.com/store/ad...9ce4777f9489b1

sweet....that's the one. So the yellow sheath is the heat shield?

I just bought the LED turn signal kit which includes the resistors. This should work out...I'll take pics as I go.

BTW: Michael, did they find the white van that hit you?

[ksfrogman]

Originally Posted by Chesmu

sweet....that's the one. So the yellow sheath is the heat shield?

Yes.

Let me touch base with my electronics buddy too. It's a little too late to call him tonight. Actually, if you're going to do this tomorrow, with his approval, I'll put you two in touch with each other.

[canucklion]

Chesmu, can't wait to see the results dude