technical help

[nooster]

hi i have an E30 320i and the problem is that when i put my lights on the dash lights dont work but the rest do. can you help!.

[tailoutcharlie]

blown bulbs probably, same thing happened in mine

[BadDave]

Is the light switch turned anti clockwise.?
If so, turn it fully clockwise.
It acts as an instrument light dimmer switch as well

HTH

[Chris]

Give it a light tap on the top of the binacle housing when the lights are on.

E30's have a tendancy to self heal, if given the right incentive

[tailoutcharlie]

E30's have a tendancy to self heal, if given the right incentive

mine did that as well, good old filaments sticking together

[nooster]

all the inside lights that come on when you turn on the lights dont come on like the dash heater ashtray and so on.
but all the out side lights come on thay are all working.

[HairyScreech]

sounds like the dimmer is turned down then. try turning the light knob clockwise.

[nooster]

i have it dont work could it be a rely. can any one HELP!

[dazleeds]

definatley sounds like a dodgy dimmer

you can either take the switch apart and clean up and regrese or change the switch

[Brianmoooore]

Take out the rear ashtray and pull out the bulb and its holder that illuminate it. Turn the sidelights on and use a piece of wire to earth the brown/white wire on the bulb holder to a good body earth.
If this makes the bulbs light up, then the dimmer switch is dud.

[Chris]

You truly are amazing Brian. How the hell do you know things like that?

[nooster]

thanks brian ill try thet now and let you know how i got on.

[Brianmoooore]

You truly are amazing Brian. How the hell do you know things like that?

'Cause if you look at a wiring diagram, you can see that the dimmer is wired beween the brown/white wire that goes to one side of all the dimmable lights and earth. Shorting the brown/white to earth totally bypasses the dimmer, and the rear ashtray is the easiest place to get at the wire.