3-Series (E36)Chat relating to the BMW 3-Series from 1992-1999. Autodoodad
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I'm currently building a car-pc and wants to control the audio volume etc from my steering wheel, but it doesn't have the controls included in the E36 version.
The side covers for the E36 version has the same part numbers as the side covers for the E39 version (without the control buttons), which indicates that the E39 steering wheel might be compatible.
I'd like to know if anyone has some experience in replacing the side covers on the E36 steering wheel with the E39 covers including the control buttons?
I know that the wiring will not fit anywhere on my E36, but I just need the buttons to connect to an interface that will control the car-pc volume, so I need to either get the wires from the steering wheel to the dashboard without breaking the wires when turning the wheel, or if that is completely impossible I want to use it as a kind of built in battery driven wireless remote control.
If it's totally impossible to replace the covers only (plus probably some other parts), will it then be possible to buy the entire E39 steering wheel and make it fit in my E36?
By the way, will it be any risk regarding airbag to disassemble the steering wheel? I see that there is two screws on the backside of the steering wheel, will it losen the side covers only, or how do I get the covers off?
My bet is you can probably install the buttons, but they'll have to be a wireless remote control rather than wired. The E39 has specific kinds of contacts built into the steering column that allow those buttons to work despite the movement of the wheel; the E36 lacks these, and it would be quite difficult indeed to put them in.
I have thought of the wiring being the biggest problem, but then again, if you look at the exploded views there is this so called "slip ring".
On the E36 version it's 4-polig and in the E39 version it's 7-polig.
I know that I cannot rely on the exploded view drawings, but to me they look very much alike, so it might be possible to replace that as well, and thereby be able to transfer the signals from the control buttons to the dashboard. The question is if the E39 slip ring is 100% compatible with E36?
Originally Posted by jm1133 The question is if the E39 slip ring is 100% compatible with E36?
And there lies your biggest question.
I was thinking that maybe some of the members in here is working in a BMW repair/parts shop, or have contact to some BMW engineers or someone else who might have the possibility to fysically compare the slip rings, or have access to some more detailed technical drawings/specifications etc., or simply just have any experience in making an E39 slip ring or complete steering wheel fit into an E36?
I could go for the wireless solution though, but I think it might be difficult to fit the wireless transmitter plus battery in the steering wheel, and if I even will be able to make it work I still have to change the battery from time to time, plus I might get difficulties/delays/interference with the wireless signals, why I prefer the wired solution if possible in any way as it might be much more stable in the long run.
Should I just take the chance and losen the screws on the backside and open my steering wheel for a closer examination, or will I get into problems with the airbag suddently exploding in my face or something else?
Have you found more info or completed this project. I am interested on doing the same on my 99 E36 M3 steering wheel.
I would not want more than controlling the volume and tracks from steering wheel buttons.
Have you found more info or completed this project.
I have contacted numerous local BMW repair shops, but none of them have been able to help. Most of them recommend not to use anything else than the genuine parts made for the vehicle, so they won't even spend some time investigating if some other parts will fit.
The steering wheel part of my project is now on quite low priority, but if someone finds out anything I'll reconcider it.
I thought for sure there were some, but maybe not, I guess I'm just remember driving e39's or e38's with the exact same wheel as e36's just with buttons, according to this thread the e39 wheel will fit just fine, I know bmw also sells the e46 m3 wheel for e36's as well this should help you though
As I am trying to find more info on this believe the E39 buttons will work on E36 3 spoke steering wheel but the slip ring has to be replaced as well.
There will be one wire going to the radio and one to cruise control.
Now making the cruise contr. opreable from steering wheel buttons will be more of a problem and need to find out how to do it.
I'm currently building a car-pc and wants to control the audio volume etc from my steering wheel, but it doesn't have the controls included in the E36 version.
The side covers for the E36 version has the same part numbers as the side covers for the E39 version (without the control buttons), which indicates that the E39 steering wheel might be compatible.
I'd like to know if anyone has some experience in replacing the side covers on the E36 steering wheel with the E39 covers including the control buttons?
I know that the wiring will not fit anywhere on my E36, but I just need the buttons to connect to an interface that will control the car-pc volume, so I need to either get the wires from the steering wheel to the dashboard without breaking the wires when turning the wheel, or if that is completely impossible I want to use it as a kind of built in battery driven wireless remote control.
If it's totally impossible to replace the covers only (plus probably some other parts), will it then be possible to buy the entire E39 steering wheel and make it fit in my E36?
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