Need technical Q/A then you're in the right place
Moderator: martauto
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RTTBMW
- E30 Zone Newbie

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- Joined: Mon Aug 12, 2019 11:45 am
- Location: Enniskillen
Sun Oct 20, 2019 2:45 pm
Hi,
As you can see the door light switch was not connected!. Is it easier to fish the wire out or remove the speaker kick panel?
regards
Richard

E30 325i Mtech 2 1990 (Registered in 1991)
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Foe
- E30 Zone Regular

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Sun Oct 20, 2019 5:00 pm
If it was me I'd take off the speaker panel, as this will allow you to "faff" about with the wire, if it's there?
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RTTBMW
- E30 Zone Newbie

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Mon Nov 04, 2019 9:56 am
Hi,
Well this weekend I decided to remove the kick speaker panel in passenger side.
One connector not connected to anything I could see would fit. The door buttom has two prongs on it.
See pics. Any advice what to do next would be welcome!
regards
Richard
E30 325i Mtech 2 1990 (Registered in 1991)
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RTTBMW
- E30 Zone Newbie

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Thu Nov 07, 2019 12:06 pm
Hi,
Can anyone give me any ideas why this is like this and not connected! Going to classic car show tomorrow in Birmingham. Hopefully see a few BMW's!
regards
Richard
E30 325i Mtech 2 1990 (Registered in 1991)
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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member

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Thu Nov 07, 2019 7:20 pm
Wires that go on the switch should be brown/blue for the circuit that allows the windows to work with the doors open, and brown/purple for the wire that works the interior lights.
The switch in the pic is damaged and not working. It appears to be stuck in the 'door closed' position.
The only reasons I can think of for the switch being disconnected are that someone removed the switch for unknown reasons, and let the wires slip back inside the pillar, or the plastic button on the door frame that works the switch is missing, and the switch wouldn't 'turn off' with the door closed.
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RTTBMW
- E30 Zone Newbie

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Mon Nov 18, 2019 11:54 am
Brian,
The plastic bit is in the switch! The twin pronge on the switch, I cannot find a place for it to connect! Paul my friend is going to test the circuits and find the correct cable! I may order a new switch!
regards
Richard
E30 325i Mtech 2 1990 (Registered in 1991)
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BenHar
- E30 Zone Addict

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Mon Nov 18, 2019 1:26 pm
The switch is stuck in the closed position as Brian says. When open the plastic rod should be stuck out a lot further. It should be out when it's not being pushed shut by the door.
There appears to be a brown/purple wire closest to the camera lens in the middle picture and brown/blue appears in all three pictures. Those are the wires Brian says you need to connect to the switch.
Ben
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RTTBMW
- E30 Zone Newbie

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Mon Dec 30, 2019 5:04 pm
Hi,
Well the switch did the trick, but i see I am missing plastic or rubber grommet on the door that allows the door switch proper contact when closing! The driver side has a delay timer for the light to go out and the passenger side has not. What has others used to solve this problem?
Your help appreciated as always!
regards
Richard
E30 325i Mtech 2 1990 (Registered in 1991)
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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member

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Mon Dec 30, 2019 8:05 pm
Best thing to use is the correct item, which AFAIK is still available from your friendly BMW dealer. Part number is probably 61 31 1 370 695, but it's best to describe the part and let the dealer confirm, so that if it's wrong, its their fault, not yours.
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Contours
- E30 Zone Newbie

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Tue Dec 31, 2019 1:48 pm
Have one of those plastic grommets that clips onto the door if you want it. Heading to Enniskillen on Friday this week as it happens.
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ChrisHC
- E30Zone Contributor
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Tue Dec 31, 2019 2:56 pm
The interior light delay timer is only intended to work on the driver's door, but somewhere on here, if I remember correctly, Brianmoore describes how to get it to work on the passenger door as well by running a cable over from the passenger door. Try doing a search.
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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member

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Tue Dec 31, 2019 9:18 pm
Disconnect the brown/purple that's connected to the passenger door switch and tuck it somewhere that the metal of the plug won't short to anything.
Connect a new piece of wire to the switch, thread the wire across the car behind the dash and splice it to the brown/yellow that's connected to the driver's door switch.
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RTTBMW
- E30 Zone Newbie

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Wed Jan 01, 2020 5:25 pm
Contours wrote: ↑Tue Dec 31, 2019 1:48 pm
Have one of those plastic grommets that clips onto the door if you want it. Heading to Enniskillen on Friday this week as it happens.
Hi,
I need two of them! Thanks! Only if you are passing! You can look at the car when you are here!
regards
Richard
E30 325i Mtech 2 1990 (Registered in 1991)
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RTTBMW
- E30 Zone Newbie

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Wed Jan 01, 2020 5:34 pm
New switch and interior sill fitted!

E30 325i Mtech 2 1990 (Registered in 1991)
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Contours
- E30 Zone Newbie

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- Location: Ireland-West
Wed Jan 01, 2020 7:31 pm
I need two of them! Thanks! Only if you are passing! You can look at the car when you are here,
Not sure if I have two but will check, Richard. Woman is dragging me up to some shopping centre there so will let you know before departure.
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RTTBMW
- E30 Zone Newbie

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Thu Jan 02, 2020 12:55 pm
Erneside shopping centre and Asda! I can get two from JKC BMW as they have two. Save you the hassle. But if still want to see the car your welcome.
E30 325i Mtech 2 1990 (Registered in 1991)