I have seen a lot of threads about lighted shift knobs and many suggestions on how to install it. What follows is the factory inteded retrofit option.

(Although I am technically removing the wiring, it is the same for installation.)
Unscrew the phillips head screw holding the dimmer console in place. The dimmer console is located to the left of the steering wheel. This console then easily pops out of the dash.
What you see connected to the back of it is the factory retro-fit wiring harness.

You want this wire to terminate in the shift console to be connected to your shift knob.

I ran this wire under the carpet with the other wires. This is what it would look like before tucking it under the carpet:

With a little slack the wires pull part way out of the dash back at the dimmer console:
Plugged into the back of the add on wiring harness is the standard wiring harness for the interior lights.

I ran the wires through the dash behind this:

You have to take off the underdash, driver's side knee panel to get to this.
It removes with a wratchet extension and an M10 socket.

With this piece removed you can see I ran the wire behind the factory wire strap to hold it in place. This opens simply by pulling out from the top.

In total it would look like this:

I think the entire deal, knob and wiring harness came shipped from pacific for under $100.
To gain access to the shifter area do the following:

Pull the shift knob up. This takes some force, don't be worried but don't hit yourself in the head either. The shift boot removes easily by pulling up on the sides at the corners. To remove the sunglass console you first have to remove the check computer (OBC). To do this reach your hand into the sunglass console and find the hole in the middle in the top. Press up to release the catch on the OBC and push it forward from the back. Then slide the sunglass console up and then rotate it out.

So to update this I did the install the other day on my new car, and it went smoothly but was a bit of work just removing all the panels.
The driver's side knee panel has three screws. One on either side of the steering wheel and one in the footwell on the center console side. This panel slides out with a little effort. Then you have to remove 3 bolts with a 10mm socket on the metal heat guard as described above. To remove the OBC refer to the cubby removal DIY in my sig. Here is the final install picture:

I think the entire deal, knob and wiring harness came shipped from pacific for under $100.

I couldn't seem to find any info on getting it as a 'kit' do you have a part # or anything? I guess a phone call couldn't hurt..

25-11-1-222-047 Illuminated M Gear Knob- Black, integrated skin w/o emblem

Not sure..

Illuminated shift knob M 25 11 2 231 550
Illuminated shift knob /// 25 11 2 231 551
illuminated shift knob E36 retro-fit kit 61 12 2 231 560

nice write up. i just tapped into the hazard light switch and it works nicely.

Illuminated shift knob M 25 11 2 231 550
Illuminated shift knob /// 25 11 2 231 551
illuminated shift knob E36 retro-fit kit 61 12 2 231 560

Thanks..

Which knob you have?? I am guessing the /// one
Why couldn't I find that, I must be dumb..

Think I'll get teh M one..

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/vdoligt3.gif

25 11 2 231 561 with harness..

Where did you guys order your harness and shift knobs from?

I think this one looks cool:
http://www.bavauto.com/assets/product_images/prod/39141.jpg

39141 Illuminated Shift Knob - Black Leather $89.95
http://www.bavauto.com

Yeah I just saw that one too. However, there's no ///M logo on it, and I don't care for that silver trim at the bottom. I'd much rather have the pictured one above in the DIY.

Just my 2 cents.

I'll have to stop by the dealer today and see how much they want for it.

Think I'll get teh M one..

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/vdoligt3.gif

25 11 2 231 561 with harness..

thats the one i got.

My local dealer quoted me $147 minus my BMWCCA discount of course.
In stock at local warehouse, can have by it Thursday AM.

dammit, i just bought a new oem shift knob also.. grr...

Just finished installing mine. You dont need a voltometer as long as the two wires coming from the knob are brown and grey/red stripe. Take out the boot and foam insulation and locate the wiring that connects to the cig. lighter. find the two wires that match the colors of the shift knob and tap into them. As long as you match them up correctly, there is no need for a voltometer.

Just finished installing mine. You dont need a voltometer as long as the two wires coming from the knob are brown and grey/red stripe. Take out the boot and foam insulation and locate the wiring that connects to the cig. lighter. find the two wires that match the colors of the shift knob and tap into them. As long as you match them up correctly, there is no need for a voltometer.
But why cut into the factory wires, when you can just buy a plug from BMW?

But why cut into the factory wires, when you can just buy a plug from BMW?

well it is real easy to do and for the extremely frugal people, it is virtualy free.

i know this is an old thread, but hopefully someone will see my question and answer it.

how does the wire go to the actual knob? the fitment of the knob onto the shift lever is pretty tight... where does the wire actually go? do you have any pics of that?

I made one I ran the wires through the seam of the gear shift knob where the leather is sewn together.I also croped off some of the height of the gear shift knob its self didnt like it being so tall

The knob has two wires integrated into it. as you slide the knob onto the shift lever, you make sure the two wires fit around the shift lever and don't get pinched. Then the wires terminate in a connector inside the shift boot area.

Or you could just tap into the power/ground 12v that lights up the hazard switch, and not take apart the dash... :dunno

It makes a lot more sense to me to install a factory wiring harness rather than cut into the electrical system.

The cigarette lighter is always on and the factory harness connects it to the interior lights dimmer switch. This allows you to control the intensity with the other interior lights and the shift knob only turns on when the interior lights are turned on.

i want that shift knob but there so damn expensive ever were ive looked anyway.

I got mine from pacificbmw.com and it was only like $60 or so.

oooo ill check it out thanks.

ok, so the wire comes out from the bottom of the knob, but not from the hole that the lever goes into? Does anyone have a picture of a lighted shift knob from the bottom? (not installed)

I have a picture of the knob in the thread. You can see two wires coming out. One on each side. Just have those go under the boot, but around the shift lever. See how the lever tapers at the top? It really isn't a big deal and isn't complicated. If you have the knob and just put it on the lever, the wires will go where they need to go anyway.

Using ScotchLocks (which work perfectly fine for an application such as this) to tap into the existing wiring, does NOT equal "cutting up the factory wiring". In addition, you tap into the wires that light up the illuminated ring around the cig lighter, not the actual cig lighter power wires. Tapping into the ring wires allow the shiftknob to dim with the dimmer switch.

Just FYI.

Seems pointless to do this when you can simply buy the correct cable. :dunno

I put three of four of these in and i actually tapped into the light that illuminates the ring around the cigarette lighter also, Its 12 volt, very close, and dims with the lights, and you dont have to cut it just put the power in the power hole and close the harness on it then ground the ground wire. Took at most 4 minutes

I put three of four of these in and i actually tapped into the light that illuminates the ring around the cigarette lighter also, Its 12 volt, very close, and dims with the lights, and you dont have to cut it just put the power in the power hole and close the harness on it then ground the ground wire. Took at most 4 minutes

+1 I did the same, just connected the wires to window switch power wires.

very cool. Doesnt look like that much work

I know i should go somewhere else for a question, but the previous owner tried to install this shift knob and somehow must have srewed it up b/c not only does it not light up but it seems to also have affected the radio illumination and the computer functions b/c it forever reads -35 degrees and none of the other functions except the clock work properly either. I have taken it a few places and gotten no sufficient answer as to why this happens. Also the FM radio cuts in and out constatly which may be related. Any input would be greatly appreciated, and excellent write up as well, thanks.

He probably spliced it somewhere and didn't make a good connection. I would take the console apart and look for the wire to see where it is connected. When you find the problem, repair the factory wire, and consider connecting it to the central dimming control with the factory wiring harness.

i agree with using the "t"cable for the power and signal. i just got the knob/boot combo and its amazing. took me literaly 10 mins to do. i did it without removing the metal underdash, there are little hole on the op of the underdash that you can use to snake the "t" cable through. then drop it down and pick the inner center console peice up enough to get the cable and harness under push it through to behind where the sunglass holder is and then snake it over to the shifter area

just get it from turner and it already comes with the cable

I think you've made a quite long wire to connect it. Here they connect it to the cigarette lighter (is that the name of it?). It's quite shorter and easier to install (you don't have to pull the parts above the knees out).

I think you've made a quite long wire to connect it. Here they connect it to the cigarette lighter (is that the name of it?). It's quite shorter and easier to install (you don't have to pull the parts above the knees out).

No. This is the BMW factory wiring harness. It is long so that it connects via a factory plug behind the interior light dimmer console. This the OEM correct way of wiring the shift knob. It isn't difficult.

Granted there are other options, however, they are not OEM, and though some may find them "easier," they aren't "better." From a idealistic standpoint, one could easily assert that it is better to tie into the wiring harness with a plug rather than some Radio Shack jumper.

Additionally, the cigarette lighter receives constant power, where as the dimming console only lights up when the lights are turned on. Also the dimming console dims all the interior lights together including the shift knob, where as tying into the cigarette lighter does not.

Above is the correct BMW way^. I think the easiest way though by far is tapping into your connection to your hazard lights

why not stick the wire into the cigarette lighter bulb? it will dimm with the rest of the lights.

and do the Ebay knobs come with the plastic holder?? mine looked a bit tired(i broke it some more):
http://vull.planet.ee/pemm/nupp.jpg

I don't even have that plastic holder! I just push it down till its nice and tight. I had to fix mine b/c the ground wire ripped out of the knob; so I soldered all the connections, connected it to the hazard switch, and its working great. Also, hazard switch isn't constant 12v (red/white). For those who want to install it quickly and you're confident in your splicing and wiring skills do that. If you do it right you won't have to worry anymore (like me, 1st time I did it to lazily, now I love soldering!).

got mine installed now - ran it over the steering-column.
http://vull.planet.ee/pemm/lcd-p/nob1.jpghttp://vull.planet.ee/pemm/lcd-p/nob3.jpg

loving it :)

thread revival :)

Hi guys!!

My shift knob is very (i mean very) taught to remove it. Is it ment to be that tought?

Thanks for posting this guide...helped me out alot.
Bought the kit complete with wiring harness to dimmer, did the whole job in less than 10 minutes. :)

Good write-up, I ordered my knob from BMW and it came with the wiring harness, more worth it to do it right then start cutting wires.

Just been looking for one of these knobs on ebay - not cheap are they, between £80 and £150 for the ones on there at the moment!!!

Just been looking for one of these knobs on ebay - not cheap are they, between £80 and £150 for the ones on there at the moment!!!

I think mine cost about $90 at the dealer including the cable to connect it to the lights.

I just put in my knob. It seemed too easy. How do I know that the knob is securely in place? It doesn't move with moderate effort to pull it off.

sexy

Great write up. I recently installed an illuminated shift knob in my 96 328is using this DIY. It made the task straight forward, and easy. A friend saw how cool the illuminated knob looks and wants to know if the same knob will fit in his 87 M6, or if there’s one out there that will. This being my first BMW, and not knowing the interchangeability of parts between models, I’d sure like some help if anyone has some advice?