[yakev724]

Hi,

Just came back from the UK and brought back a light switch to activate my rear fogs. Well I'm not satisfied...

In taking the switch apart, I noticed that the board was just a template with different resistor values/locations depending on what functions the switch/car is to have. I think that if I can solder the correct resistors and diodes into the correct locations, I may be able to add the dimming function to my headlights.

Here's what I'd like to ask:

If your light switch looks like this:

and you have a few spare minutes, pull it out, disconnect, and undo the 4 clips as shown below (also 2 on sides, not pictured):

Once undone, the cover will come off, and the board will simply slide out. A photo of the board exactly as below is all I ask (need to see diode orientation and resistor values).

Thanks in advance, I'd gladly return the favor with some other help, but not sure that would work...did post a DIY for greasing the sticking steering wheel lock if that's any help :

[yakev724]

Update: above photo is the Euro halogen switch with dimming, with 2 diodes (and 3-pin POT already removed). After transferring 2 diodes and 2 resistors (diodes were in locations where you see uneven solder above, resistors just to complete diode circuit, bottom right in grid), I got my dimming wheel to light up! Now I got the full switch, just like in the 1st pic.

Not sure if I need to add/change any other resistors to make it work, possibly not, since the 3 pin POT which is controlled physically by the dimming wheel doesn't run through any other resistors as far as I can tell.

Maybe dimming, if at all possible, will only work after coding my FRM? Will experiment once I learn to code!

[AW128i]

I'm not really sure what you're trying to accomplish by taking the switch apart and doing some soldering work?? Also, does your car have HIDs? If so, you have the wrong switch as the one pictured is for halogen-equipped cars. The thumbwheel to the right of the headlight switch has nothing to do with dimming, which your posts allude to. That switch is used to manually dip the headlights and is standard fare on European E9X's with halogen lights.

[ceb]

Originally Posted by AW128i

I'm not really sure what you're trying to accomplish by taking the switch apart and doing some soldering work?? Also, does your car have HIDs? If so, you have the wrong switch as the one pictured is for halogen-equipped cars. The thumbwheel to the right of the headlight switch has nothing to do with dimming, which your posts allude to. That switch is used to manually dip the headlights and is standard fare on European E9X's with halogen lights.

BINGO

[AW128i]

Originally Posted by ceb

BINGO

I need to edit my own post. The thumbwheel is to the LEFT of the headlight switch!

[yakev724]

Thanks ^^, closing thread. AHL auto levels, no need for the wheel.

Well, at least I don't have the blank plastic insert there, but a wheel to turn!

[Sim Simma UK]

The thumbwheel adjusts the angle of the headlights, this is for halogens as xenons are self levelling!

[orangedawg]

i wonder if you could use this switch when retrofitting halogens to OEM xenon using factory ballasts and modules. If you used this, could you code the car to use the "wheel" on the left to adjust headlights?

[ceb]

Originally Posted by orangedawg

i wonder if you could use this switch when retrofitting halogens to OEM xenon using factory ballasts and modules. If you used this, could you code the car to use the "wheel" on the left to adjust headlights?

Nope - the mechanism for this is missing on US cars

[orangedawg]

Thanks! Was just looking for additional options for those retrofitting halogens to xenon. Oh well. Thanks anyway!

[AW128i]

Originally Posted by ceb

Nope - the mechanism for this is missing on US cars

It's actually a wiring issue rather than a coding issue, no? As I understand it, the manual leveling switch has an extra wire coming out of the footwell module that's routed to the headlights that controls the motors.