Window switch light bulbs

[jrt67ss350]

Anyone have any idea where I can get a replacement for one of the little light bulbs that are inside the e30 window switches? They are replaceable (contrary to what the BMW dealer will tell you) if you take the switch apart. Both the dealer and BavAuto only want to sell me a new switch. I don't need the whole damn switch, just a 50 cent light bulb.

 

[Kirby]

I can't help you with a specific BMW replacement. but if you get stuck, check these sources:

www.newark.com - huge electronics parts distributor I deal with. You'll have to plow thru their website to see if you can find a match with what you have.

http://www.sunbriteleds.com/ makes a lot of LED products designed to replace incandescent lamps, might be kinda cool.

 

[echothreezero]

Take the bulb into an auto electrician and they'll brob have a box full. Should only cost a few cents. If your switches ever fail, don't replace them with e30 ones - get e36 ones. they take some minor rewiring to get them to plug in, but they are more robust, easier to press and look way better.

 

[jrt67ss350]

You can see the two little bulbs that stick up under the buttons.

Here's the little light bulb removed from the socket.

 

[E30m42cab]

It's funny what people try to sell you. When my glove box latch broke, all I needed was the plastic mechanism, but the dealer and BMP wanted to sell me the whole mechanism, plus the keyed cylinder, and a set of keys!! What??? the key cylinder pops out with the release of a simple external snap ring... that way you don't have to carry a separate key just for your glove box!!! Same as with the locking gas cap door... the sliding pin rusted away and broke, but the mechanism works fine... the pin just pops out easily, but you need to buy the whole $140 mechanism instead of a little piece of metal!!!

Anyways, if you can't find one at a wrecking yard, let me know and I'll pop a bulb out out one of my old switches. I've got two parts cars worth of window switches (so one coupe, one four door, that makes eight swithes)... I can throw one in the mail for you. Email me and let me know, I can get it in the mail by mid week. Freebie! scott097@hotmail.com

 

[ldzpstnr]

I was thinking about soldering in some LED lights to replace the factory window switch bulbs. Might not be as bright but probably wont burn out again. And for some reason the window switches were always really warm to the touch when the lights were working... so the LED's may not be hot.

I havent done this yet, been on the to-do list for months. It might be a little tricky to do this, but it should be possible. Later