[Meatnog]

So, no stealth installs yet?

[poldim]

Read the thread. There are links.

[sfbmw]

Popping the light panel was hard, but getting the hex bolt out is the real challenge. What are the dimensions for the right tool for the job? All the socket wrench tools are useless - won't fit, can't get a good lock on the hex, much less room to muscle a turn. Can anyone post pics of their self-drilled grounds?

[mc68386]

I used your basic crescent wrench (10 mm, IIRC). I could barely turn 1 "notch" per turn, so it took a little while, but not too bad.
I choose the one on the driver side - seemed a bit easier to get to.

[sfbmw]

Thx! It's slow going but the adjustable crescent wrench is working.

[poldim]

Originally Posted by sfbmw

Popping the light panel was hard, but getting the hex bolt out is the real challenge. What are the dimensions for the right tool for the job? All the socket wrench tools are useless - won't fit, can't get a good lock on the hex, much less room to muscle a turn. Can anyone post pics of their self-drilled grounds?

You guys talking about the green bolt I grounded to in my picture?

[sfbmw]

It's the same hex bolt but the one on the more empty driver's side. I just finished securing the ground on said bolt (a vicious ordeal involving contortions and hacking away with the crescent wrench) and can't figure out how you managed to do it on the passenger side with all those wire bundles in the way!

I'm trying to figure out which of the two green+white wires people are referring to, because there are two of them running into the dome light - you said 'second farthest'...you really mean farthest, a.k.a. second input group counting from the driver's side, right? Also, one of them has a fatter white stripe. I also noticed that the input group closest to the driver's side has a unique 'twirled' wire (2 wires wound together.)

[lux.sh]

I grounded mine to the green/blue hex bolt that poldim mentioned.
b1tch to get into, but if you do, your V1 is guaranteed to work fine.

I have no trouble whatsoever with that grounding. V1 never turns off.
Thanks to poldim.

[scottz5]

Just drill a smalle hole and use a screw to ground it. The bolts on the car dont work well and you will have problems with the sunroof cutting out the V1

[lux.sh]

Originally Posted by scottz5

Just drill a smalle hole and use a screw to ground it. The bolts on the car dont work well and you will have problems with the sunroof cutting out the V1

the hex bolt doesn't cause any problems. no cutting out.

[petesamprs]

I agree that the getting the bolt out (greenish one on driver's side), and then back in w/ the u-shaped v1 ground is harder than getting the light fixture down.

That bolt works fine as a ground (sunroof & v1 play well together) - but I suggest cleaning with brillo once you've got it out so that the contact is good.

Edit: I was using the type of 10mm wrench below, but I'm sure that if you have a better one you could get it out much more easily.

[sfbmw]

It's working. No problems with the sunroof opening/closing.

I'll post more labeled photos in a bit for anyone thinking of doing this. (It's not as easy as it looks unless you've done this sort of thing before.)

But I have to stow everything successfully before declaring total victory...

[poldim]

Originally Posted by lux.sh

I grounded mine to the green/blue hex bolt that poldim mentioned.
b1tch to get into, but if you do, your V1 is guaranteed to work fine.

I have no trouble whatsoever with that grounding. V1 never turns off.
Thanks to poldim.

Anything I can do to keep you and the fellow E90's modding along...

[poldim]

Originally Posted by petesamprs

I agree that the getting the bolt out (greenish one on driver's side), and then back in w/ the u-shaped v1 ground is harder than getting the light fixture down.

That bolt works fine as a ground (sunroof & v1 play well together) - but I suggest cleaning with brillo once you've got it out so that the contact is good.

Edit: I was using the type of 10mm wrench below, but I'm sure that if you have a better one you could get it out much more easily.

Here are my tools that made it easy:

[lux.sh]

whoa, poldim we used two EXACT SAME TOOLS!! Mine is husky brand also.

Yes, getting that bolt unscrewed is a bit tough, you just gotta be patient and take it slow.
I did sand the surface a bit(just in case). I really didn't sand much at all though, I just cleaned it out in case there are some dust or something. I don't think its needed though. V1 powers up strong.

[poldim]

Maybe you worked on my car, just didnt notice that it was SG...

[325 Baller]

hey what exactly do i need to hardwire? I was looking at the parts department, and which one of these do i need? The wireing harness connector? or Direct Wire Power adapter kit?
Thanks for your info, the reason i ask is becasue i might buy a used one and im not 100% sure if it comes with what i need to hardwire.

Thanks

[poldim]

Originally Posted by 325 Baller

hey what exactly do i need to hardwire? I was looking at the parts department, and which one of these do i need? The wireing harness connector? or Direct Wire Power adapter kit?
Thanks for your info, the reason i ask is becasue i might buy a used one and im not 100% sure if it comes with what i need to hardwire.

Thanks

You need:

Direct-Wire Power Adapter
Item 20305




It has two wires, one to +12 volts and one to the chassis for ground.

[325 Baller]

ty for the info ill check with the person im buying it from, would that usually be included or no?

[sfbmw]

The complete hardwire kit is included on all new, currently shipping V1 units. I don't know if it has always been this way though.

[325 Baller]

alright well it doesnt look like i will be buying it from that person so i guess i will be buying a new one probablly this summer once i get a job.

[sfbmw]

Here's another photo guide to doing the V1 E90 hardwire. Many thanks to all the V1 hardwire posters at E90Post and Bimmerfest for guiding me through this DIY project.

1. Open the map light cluster. See page 39 of the manual for some vague instructions.