why doesn't my car have an interior light

Post Sat Jan 03, 2015 1:10 am

I can't see an interior light in my car anywhere, did some e30's come without them? also my instrument cluster is dim as well as the heater controls, is there a dimmer switch somewhere by the steering wheel?

thanks

Post Sat Jan 03, 2015 1:16 am

No facelift coupe

is it the same? Thanks for your help.

Post Sat Jan 03, 2015 1:23 am

diable wrote:Twist the knob to dim or brighten the dash lights, yes. I think there should be a light near the check control panel but don't quote me on that one.

nice one thanks. mine doesn't have a check control panel either. I'll try out what you suggested re: the dashboard lights

Post Sat Jan 03, 2015 5:40 am

diable's right that the dimmer switch is the headlight knob. But the interior lights are only the two above the rear passenger doors (or behind the B-pillars on a 2-door). That's why Map Light mirrors are such desired (and therefore expensive) upgrades.

Post Sat Jan 03, 2015 7:54 am

Convertibles are by the check control panel.

Post Sat Jan 03, 2015 10:54 am

matt86 wrote:No facelift coupe is it the same? Thanks for your help.

I'll assume you mean a two door saloon, since there isn't an E30 coupÃ© model.
Normally an interior light on each side at the top of the 'B' pillars, with the loom from each running down the pillars and plugging into the body loom at sill level.
As with anything on an E30, someone could have ordered the car without them, but it seems an unusual thing to delete.
It's an easy job to add a third light in the centre at the front on any car that has an electric sunroof or 'check' panel.

Post Sat Jan 03, 2015 10:59 am

Brian, off Topic, do you know which bulb, I need for the Auto. selector Illumation light?

Post Sat Jan 03, 2015 11:28 am

Not certain, but IIRC, it's a capless 1.2W, the same as many others around the car.
'Blown bulb' in this application often turns out to be a broken wire to the bulb holder.

Post Sat Jan 03, 2015 11:45 am

Brianmoooore wrote:Not certain, but IIRC, it's a capless 1.2W, the same as many others around the car.
'Blown bulb' in this application often turns out to be a broken wire to the bulb holder.

I think has happened to mine, I replaced it with a 1.2W, as the old one was blackened, still no light.

Fuse is fine.

Post Sat Jan 03, 2015 8:27 pm

All sorted now guys, thanks very much. I'm used to the convertible layout and wasn't looking in the right place

Post Sat Jan 03, 2015 9:16 pm

matt86 wrote:All sorted now guys, thanks very much. I'm used to the convertible layout and wasn't looking in the right place

May I suggest a trip to Specsavers! They're hardly inconspicuous.

Post Sat Jan 03, 2015 9:21 pm

Brianmoooore wrote:
matt86 wrote:All sorted now guys, thanks very much. I'm used to the convertible layout and wasn't looking in the right place
May I suggest a trip to Specsavers! They're hardly inconspicuous.

I know that now Brian, not sure how I missed them either, it was dark when I last looked and I was looking for it at the front of the car

that's my excuse anyway.

Thanks again.

Post Sat Jan 03, 2015 10:42 pm

diable wrote:
matt86 wrote:
Brianmoooore wrote: May I suggest a trip to Specsavers! They're hardly inconspicuous.
I know that now Brian, not sure how I missed them either, it was dark when I last looked and I was looking for it at the front of the car that's my excuse anyway.

Thanks again.
It was dark you say and you didn't notice any lights on in the car, jeeeeeez

No that was the problem, the lights weren't turning on when I opened the doors, if I switch to the on all the time setting they come on, but if on the door open setting they don't seem to be for some reason.

Post Sat Jan 03, 2015 10:54 pm

Unscrew and pull out the pin switches in the A pillars. A small piece of the black plastic gets scraped down over time and forms an insulator where the metal bits should contact with the pins out. Scrape this sliver of plastic away with a craft knife and they will work again.
Another possibility is that the lights have been removed at some time and put back with the wires connected wrongly. The red/green goes to the opposite end from the switch.

Post Sat Jan 03, 2015 11:09 pm

Brianmoooore wrote:Unscrew and pull out the pin switches in the A pillars. A small piece of the black plastic gets scraped down over time and forms an insulator where the metal bits should contact with the pins out. Scrape this sliver of plastic away with a craft knife and they will work again.
Another possibility is that the lights have been removed at some time and put back with the wires connected wrongly. The red/green goes to the opposite end from the switch.

Thank you Brian