soft fade interior lighting

[Guest]

Hi all. Is it in the realms of possibility that the interior light relay could be altered to make the interior lights fade off after about 10secs? I know that the old shape SAAB 900 could be modded and I'm wondering if Brian (Moore) has any thoughts on it. On these dark nights it would help to not have to keep the door open to see the ignition!

[Geeman]

Mine stays on for 10 seconds after the door closes anyway...

Might have been an option.

Giles.

[Guest]

I wonder if that means that you could buy a relay from the stealers??
Thanx 4 that....

[Simon]

Some cars were fitted with the interior light delay function as standard, not sure what models though, I know my sport had it, and the M3 is fitted with it, but the touring ain't..

[6potWil6pot]

I "think" it was an SE option, the zone E30 spec sheet seems to think it was anyway!

[nav786]

i have a 318i convertible and the interior light used to go off as soon as i closed the door. ever since i had my alarm fitted it now stays on until the ignition is turned or about 10 seconds. probably just the relay or summin . speak to some one who fits alarms maybe they will know

[Ziggy]

I want mine to stay on for 10 secs too! Someone work out how to do it?! Ie what I need to nick from an SE!

[cros]

You need one of these for the 10 second delay:



They'd be expensive new for what they are.Try scrap SE's or 325s?

It plugs in next to the central locking controller under the speaker in the drivers kick panel. You also have to move a few spade connectors. And hack the loom unless you are lucky enough to have a door handle microswitch fitted (the light is only supposed to stay on when you get IN and not out!). All this magic only works on the drivers door. Kind of like a last minute hack by some designer.

Delay is aborted if you start the ignition.

Crome bumpered cars might have a different loom. At least the one I looked at didn't seem to have the required socket.

You could probably build a proper dimming one for less than a fiver in parts. But that wouldn't be factory spec

[Richy325iTouring]

got that relay in mine
but its not working
time to find one again

[Brianmoooore]

Firstly, there is no interior light relay in an E30 that doesn't have delayed off interior lights. The delay module, if fitted, is where cros says it is, and all E30s that I've come across have the wiring fitted, except fot the door handle switch.
All that's required to fit one is to plug a delay unit in, to move the wire from the driver's door switch from one socket to another, and IIRC, I had to do something with the connection for the not fitted door handle switch to make it work, but unfortunately I didn't write down what in my notes. It was either earth it, or connect it to the door switch as well.
While I was at it (fitting OBC as well), I ran a wire across from the left door switch as well
There is no possibility of modifying the OEM delay unit to give a fade out, because the actual switching is done by a relay, but there have been circuits published in the likes of "Elektor" or "practical electronics" over the years to do this.

[cros]

The door handle pin of the delay module should be connected to the door shut switch (if youve got no handle switch). When connected to gnd the module draws 7mA. Not much, but best not risk a continuous drain.

[Demlotcrew]

Okay this is good guys, i would like to fit this too! I know i have the plug at the central locking unit, but what about these pins?

Andrew

[cros]

This should help:

[Demlotcrew]

Thanks mate, im now looking for one of these babies!

Andrew

[Jordan]

Why not just run a decent sized capacitor over the terminals of each interior light you want to stay on for a few seconds, then fade out.

Depending on the value of the capacitor you can easily achieve this effect.

[Guest]

that was the modification carried out on the SAAB 900. Being a dunce in most things, but especially electrics, I'm still no further forward! Guess I'll have to wait for a plug n' play....

[johnono]

jordan, can u give a laymans play by play of how 2 on the interior capacitor mod

would the capacitor get hot and cause a fire mabey?

sounds too easy

[Manx325touring]

Hi
New to forums never used one before joined today !!

I have 1988 325i touring

I would like to do this to But i dont if it had this option anyway!
As they have worked right since i bought it.


The interior lights work on the switch on the roof but dont work when
you open the door .
I can hear a clicking noise too!!

Can anyone tell me were to start looking?


Many Thanks

[Manx325touring]

Sorry think i found the answer looking round the site !
My god their so much info in here!!

Many Thanks

[Brianmoooore]

I would think a hefty capacitor across the door switch would do the switch contacts no good at all when you open the door and short the charged capacitor. The contacts get pitted quick enough as it is.
Better to include a relay, and take the strain off the door switches.

[Karan]

should my sport have this?

i reckon the relay thingy may be shagged

my switch is actually sticky anyway so i reckon i should clean that up a bit as well lol

Karan

[Andy335Touring]

My Mazda run around has this light delay and fade out gradually rather than just turning off.I might see if i can find the relay and see if i can wire it up.

[Brianmoooore]

I have a scrap 92 525 E34 that had a light delay and, IIRC, soft fade.
Tried to trace the wiring, but I think it's all integrated into some big black boxes under the rear seat.
Anyone know different?

[Brianmoooore]

Just entered the part no. for the delay module into the recently rediscovered ETK option of finding what bits fit what models
For all you scrapyard hunters, it seems that the module appeared in 5 series E28s, 6 series E24s and 7 series E23s.
Anyone know where it's fitted on these?