Door open alarm

[bigwinn]

So, the nights are drawing in and I'm at risk of leaving my lights on...

Were E30's fitted as standard with lights on alarm?

If yes- is it an easy fix

If no- can you retro fit?

Stu

[Brianmoooore]

The only lights that you can leave on with an E30 are the parking lights, number plate lights and the dash lights, since the headlamps go out with the ignition. With a battery in good condition, this shouldn't be too much of a problem.
Lights warning was an option on E30's, but one that was rarely ticked.
I think it may be still available from your dealer, but it isn't cheap!
A cheaper home made version just requires a cheap 12 volt buzzer and a diode, and connects to wires easily accessible above the panel above the driver's knees and behind the RH speaker panel.

[bigwinn]

Thanks Brian

Which wires out of interest?

Stu

[Brianmoooore]

Interior light pin switch wire from behind the speaker panel, and the dash lights wire from above the panel. The latter is grey/red, and is available at the socket provided for headlamp adjuster panel illumination.

[drewjak]

i found a write up somewhere so you can use your obc gong , which goes off as you open your door if lights still on , which is what i have done with mine but cant remember how its done.

[Brianmoooore]

i found a write up somewhere so you can use your obc gong , which goes off as you open your door if lights still on , which is what i have done with mine but cant remember how its done.

The basic problem with this idea is that the OBC gong, as installed in a UK E30, doesn't have any power when the ignition is off.
The average gong in a UK E30 has only one socket on it, but there are similar gongs in existence with two sockets. This second socket has provision for a second power input and a pin which makes the gong go off continuously.
I did some experimenting with one of these on the bench a while ago, and determined that it's definitely possible to use one of these for the purpose, but didn't get as far as actually trying it.

[eko]

Could the lights on buzzer not be used from an E36?

[Brianmoooore]

The two socket one I experimented on might well have come from an E36.

[bigwinn]

cheers all

will have a play this weekend