Light Switch Damage.

EddieL · 01-05-2011, 04:04 AM

On New Years Eve I hit the light switch very hard with my knee. It is now pointing to the left of the automatic position where it shouldn't go that far.

The lights seem to be permanently on. I have tried to get it to turn back but it is stuck fairly solidly and I am afraid that I will

1. Break the switch (further), and
2. It will get stuck at permanently off.

Any advice or would you folks be happy to leave it stuck at on. I'm not actually certain that it's not stuck at permanently Auto. but I could see my xenons this morning and I cant remember them being on in the daylight.

I335 · 01-05-2011, 07:22 AM

I'll bet if you take the switch out and take it apart you'll be able to fix it fairly easily or at least be able to see what's wrong with it. It's easy to take it out and take it apart...

DavS1 · 01-05-2011, 08:33 AM

I'd take it out and strip it to see what's actually broke, the knob may just have shifted round a notch if it's on a splined spindle. otherwise i'd try and get a new one, doubt you can do more damage too it already.

M3-FAST · 01-05-2011, 08:40 AM

....but like the OP says - it is currently working!

I wouldn't mess with it until you know you can do without lights for a couple of days in case things go tits up and then it won't work when re-assembled!

As others have said though, it prob is easily fixed

EddieL · 01-05-2011, 03:59 PM

I was and still am inclined to agree with M3-Fast. Can you other guys define easy to remove as it looks like it would involve removing some dash.

I wish BMW were more approachable but I know if I phone them they will want to book me in and have their headlight switch specialist look at it the put it through a diagnostic check before valeting it. You know what I'm saying.

mjh93sa · 01-05-2011, 04:38 PM

From the DIY section - US guys swapping to Euro spec switch to enable rear foglights:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75343
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26545

EddieL · 01-05-2011, 05:39 PM

Thanks for the DIY pointer. I wasn't being lazy. I was away from home and on a blackberry.

First off I hate removing trim. Something always snaps or it never goes back the same. Secondly the switch unit from the limited pics where I could see it looked sealed. They guys were swapping the whole unit which may be the route to go down. I'll look into that.

Thanks everyone.

q_jonblaze · 01-05-2011, 06:11 PM

in my previous e90...i always managed to hit the light switch and either knock it right in or to the left..took a bit of bravery but i just moved the knob back and all was well...you could look on ebay or a breakers for a light switch before you manhandle this one....

good luck

EddieL · 01-06-2011, 03:33 AM

Thank you.

Around £90 new but one sitting at £21+£5del on ebay.

I was going to buy new from BMW before trying and if it worked just return it. But being as impatient as I am, I gave it a bit more force this morning and with a loud snap it jumped back across. A quick play with it confirms all is as it should be.

A happy ending in my book. Might post up a 'how to' later.

rogerdiaz · 03-31-2013, 09:53 AM

Jeez I just did this. Will try to manhandle it out.

01-05-2011, 04:04 AM	#1
EddieL Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 284 Posts Drives: 320i M Sport Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Light Switch Damage. On New Years Eve I hit the light switch very hard with my knee. It is now pointing to the left of the automatic position where it shouldn't go that far. The lights seem to be permanently on. I have tried to get it to turn back but it is stuck fairly solidly and I am afraid that I will 1. Break the switch (further), and 2. It will get stuck at permanently off. Any advice or would you folks be happy to leave it stuck at on. I'm not actually certain that it's not stuck at permanently Auto. but I could see my xenons this morning and I cant remember them being on in the daylight. __________________ AW 320i M Sport\|18" 193M\|Black Dakota\|Sat Nav\|Loudspeaker System\|Sun Protection + Grey Shade\|Heated Seats\|Visibility Package\|
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01-05-2011, 07:22 AM	#2
I335 Brigadier General 123 Rep 4,249 Posts Drives: '08 335i Coupe Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New England iTrader: (11)	I'll bet if you take the switch out and take it apart you'll be able to fix it fairly easily or at least be able to see what's wrong with it. It's easy to take it out and take it apart...
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01-05-2011, 08:33 AM	#3
DavS1 Major 53 Rep 1,272 Posts Drives: Emfree Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	I'd take it out and strip it to see what's actually broke, the knob may just have shifted round a notch if it's on a splined spindle. otherwise i'd try and get a new one, doubt you can do more damage too it already. __________________ Monte Carlo Blue M3 Comp
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01-05-2011, 08:40 AM	#4
M3-FAST Defected to the dark side..... 210 Rep 5,795 Posts Drives: BMW M5 LCi Join Date: May 2007 Location: Stafford, UK iTrader: (11) Garage List 2009 E90 M3 [10.00] 2007 325i M-sport C ... [9.00]	....but like the OP says - it is currently working! I wouldn't mess with it until you know you can do without lights for a couple of days in case things go tits up and then it won't work when re-assembled! As others have said though, it prob is easily fixed
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01-05-2011, 03:59 PM	#5
EddieL Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 284 Posts Drives: 320i M Sport Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I was and still am inclined to agree with M3-Fast. Can you other guys define easy to remove as it looks like it would involve removing some dash. I wish BMW were more approachable but I know if I phone them they will want to book me in and have their headlight switch specialist look at it the put it through a diagnostic check before valeting it. You know what I'm saying. __________________ AW 320i M Sport\|18" 193M\|Black Dakota\|Sat Nav\|Loudspeaker System\|Sun Protection + Grey Shade\|Heated Seats\|Visibility Package\|
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-05-2011, 04:38 PM	#6
mjh93sa Major General 147 Rep 5,080 Posts Drives: 530d Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Gloucestershire iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW M135i [10.00] 2011 Mini Countryma ... [5.50]	From the DIY section - US guys swapping to Euro spec switch to enable rear foglights: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75343 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26545 __________________ Gone: Fiesta - Focus - E46 320dSE - E91 330dMSport - E82 135iMSport - R55 JCW Clubman - M135i Now: 530d
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01-05-2011, 05:39 PM	#7
EddieL Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 284 Posts Drives: 320i M Sport Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the DIY pointer. I wasn't being lazy. I was away from home and on a blackberry. First off I hate removing trim. Something always snaps or it never goes back the same. Secondly the switch unit from the limited pics where I could see it looked sealed. They guys were swapping the whole unit which may be the route to go down. I'll look into that. Thanks everyone. __________________ AW 320i M Sport\|18" 193M\|Black Dakota\|Sat Nav\|Loudspeaker System\|Sun Protection + Grey Shade\|Heated Seats\|Visibility Package\|
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-05-2011, 06:11 PM	#8
q_jonblaze Captain 38 Rep 642 Posts Drives: e93 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: muahahhahahhahahaha iTrader: (3)	in my previous e90...i always managed to hit the light switch and either knock it right in or to the left..took a bit of bravery but i just moved the knob back and all was well...you could look on ebay or a breakers for a light switch before you manhandle this one.... good luck
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01-06-2011, 03:33 AM	#9
EddieL Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 284 Posts Drives: 320i M Sport Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Thank you. Around £90 new but one sitting at £21+£5del on ebay. I was going to buy new from BMW before trying and if it worked just return it. But being as impatient as I am, I gave it a bit more force this morning and with a loud snap it jumped back across. A quick play with it confirms all is as it should be. A happy ending in my book. Might post up a 'how to' later. __________________ AW 320i M Sport\|18" 193M\|Black Dakota\|Sat Nav\|Loudspeaker System\|Sun Protection + Grey Shade\|Heated Seats\|Visibility Package\|
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-31-2013, 09:53 AM	#10
rogerdiaz Captain 28 Rep 743 Posts Drives: 2015 335i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (2)	Jeez I just did this. Will try to manhandle it out.
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