Window switch lights

[Rubatoguy]

I have a window switch that does not light up when the lights are turned on at night. Is there a way to replace the bulb? (and what is the bulb part number)

thanks,
Todd

[Jeron]

I don't see part number for the bulb. Check the connections first then open it up and take the bulb down to the part store.

[Rubatoguy]

Thanks. I had not taken the switch apart to see if the bulb inside can be serviced. I thought I would ask before taking it apart.

Does this mean that it can be replaced?

[Jeron]

I have no idea but I would at least try before buying a new switch just to get the light fixed. Hopefully it will come apart without breaking.

[supertack]

Naw, you've gotta buy a new switch. I've been down that road before.

Why would we think BMW would give us the option of replacing a bulb, when they could get us to buy a switch? It's like the frickin' e36 instrument cluster. Got a bad display on your odometer? Just want to buy a new led board to fix the problem? Too bad, you've gotta buy a new cluster @ over $500. If you had cluster problems on an e30, you could just buy individual parts, but upon e36 insertion........they were having none of that.

[Jeron]

I've seen repair procedures for the E36 cluster but I've never read them. Now that I think about it the repairs covered illumination. I guess you are talking about the odo display.

That sucks if you have to buy a new cluster. Then I suppose you have to go to dealer and pay them $$$ to get it matched up to your system.

[supertack]

I sniped a used cluster off eBay for $60, then had a local shop put it in. You don't need to go to the dealer to match the system. The odometer display is what is on the new (or used in my case) cluster. I probably coulda put the new cluster in myself, but a little light on the cluster illuminates when a new one is put in. This way an unsuspecting sole would know that the mileage is more than likely wrong. The local shop just had a programming tool to readjust the mileage to what I had on the old cluster, & kill that frickin' light.

[Rubatoguy]

I took the old switch apart, and you can clearly see the "grain of wheat" bulb as part of the switch.

I would guess that if you had the right bulb you could solder it in place of the existing bulb - or try retrofitting an LED.

However, stock, the window switches have no designed ability to reaplace the light.

Todd

[BMWCowboy]

The switch doesnt cost that much

[supertack]

However, stock, the window switches have no designed ability to replace the light.

That little nugget of information was generously offered a few replies ago.

Look, those e36 window switches are all over eBay. There are green back & yellow back variations, just pull your old one, look to see what color corresponds, & snip one off eBay. It really shouldn't cost ya more than $15.

[Rubatoguy]

I wasn't concerend about the cost of the switch.
Just curious as to how the light was engineered, and if it could be replaced.

So, for example, if someone wanted 'other than orange' lighting, it would be possible.

regards,
Todd

[supertack]

So, for example, if someone wanted 'other than orange' lighting, it would be possible.

Not to quivel with you, but with the white face on the arrow of the switch, it doesn't exactly match the rest of the led illumination on the dash/console anyway.

[Jeron]

Rubatoguy. I appreciated the pics.

I always like to see how thing tick....