The HACK
02-05-2007, 02:49 PM
This probably doesn't concern anyone except me. On premium package equipped coupes (I assume the 3.0Si is the same way), to get the universal garage door opener you simply swap out the mirror for one with the integrated UGDO, PN 51-16-8-254-060.
However, if you wish to preserve the existing oval shaped mirror, or if your coupe does not have the premium package like mine, the existing wiring harness does not have the wires necessary to drive power and dimmed lighting for the UGDO therefore the PN for the above part will not work on said coupes.
There IS another OE option. You can buy the universal garage door opener for the E46/E39 sans moonroof, PN 82-11-1-470-458, or with moonroof, PN 82-11-1-470-125 (either one will work).
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=96473&stc=1&d=1169502302
Fashion a wiring harness out of a 3 pin computer fan connector, you need to file away some of the notches on the connector and also slightly file away one of the corners of the connector to get it to fit.
Here's the tricky part...If you have premium package, the existing wires are on the mirror harness. Power is a green/blue wire, ground is brown, and dimmed power is white/red. Tap into those in the following order: Power is the outside wire on the harness, dimmed power is the middle, and ground is the wire closest to the middle of the UGDO unit. If you don't have premium, you'll need power in a different way. There's a lavender/red wire that supplies power in key switch position 1, and in the overhead compartment there's a dimmed power for the mood lighting that's grey/red. (image below is of an E46 or E39 install with proper wiring harness built-in to the car)
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=96474&stc=1&d=1169502302
Now, you'll need to remove the map light assembly by inserting a flat head screw-driver on the back side of the light assembly then leverage it to pop it loose. I suggest taping the screwdriver with painter's tape or electrical tape to prevent scratching up the map light assembly or the interior. Disconnect the map light assembly harness. Pop loose the sunglasses holder from the front side, you should be able to feel around for a couple of long plastic clips from the cavity now vacated by the map light.
What I did next, is make a paper template with a 7" line (the width of the sunglasses holder), center a 63mm wide x 52mm tall rectangular box 1" away from the 7" line. Grid the 7" line to the cavity opening now vacated by the sunglasses holder, tape the paper template to the roof-liner, use a utility knife or Exacto knife to cut the hole out of the roof-liner. The E46/E39 UGDO should now snap right into place. You can now splice the wires into the existing power, dim power, and ground supplies in the harnesses overhead.
Put everything back and you're in business. Installation looks like it's MADE IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
Image(s) courtesy of Dwayne Mosley from Bimmerfest.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=96876&stc=1&d=1169950612
However, if you wish to preserve the existing oval shaped mirror, or if your coupe does not have the premium package like mine, the existing wiring harness does not have the wires necessary to drive power and dimmed lighting for the UGDO therefore the PN for the above part will not work on said coupes.
There IS another OE option. You can buy the universal garage door opener for the E46/E39 sans moonroof, PN 82-11-1-470-458, or with moonroof, PN 82-11-1-470-125 (either one will work).
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=96473&stc=1&d=1169502302
Fashion a wiring harness out of a 3 pin computer fan connector, you need to file away some of the notches on the connector and also slightly file away one of the corners of the connector to get it to fit.
Here's the tricky part...If you have premium package, the existing wires are on the mirror harness. Power is a green/blue wire, ground is brown, and dimmed power is white/red. Tap into those in the following order: Power is the outside wire on the harness, dimmed power is the middle, and ground is the wire closest to the middle of the UGDO unit. If you don't have premium, you'll need power in a different way. There's a lavender/red wire that supplies power in key switch position 1, and in the overhead compartment there's a dimmed power for the mood lighting that's grey/red. (image below is of an E46 or E39 install with proper wiring harness built-in to the car)
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=96474&stc=1&d=1169502302
Now, you'll need to remove the map light assembly by inserting a flat head screw-driver on the back side of the light assembly then leverage it to pop it loose. I suggest taping the screwdriver with painter's tape or electrical tape to prevent scratching up the map light assembly or the interior. Disconnect the map light assembly harness. Pop loose the sunglasses holder from the front side, you should be able to feel around for a couple of long plastic clips from the cavity now vacated by the map light.
What I did next, is make a paper template with a 7" line (the width of the sunglasses holder), center a 63mm wide x 52mm tall rectangular box 1" away from the 7" line. Grid the 7" line to the cavity opening now vacated by the sunglasses holder, tape the paper template to the roof-liner, use a utility knife or Exacto knife to cut the hole out of the roof-liner. The E46/E39 UGDO should now snap right into place. You can now splice the wires into the existing power, dim power, and ground supplies in the harnesses overhead.
Put everything back and you're in business. Installation looks like it's MADE IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
Image(s) courtesy of Dwayne Mosley from Bimmerfest.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=96876&stc=1&d=1169950612