Light Switch on rear cabin storage area

[bluecobra]

You know, the one behind your right elbow, on a coupe. The hole where the nav goes, if you have nav.

Anyway, the switch that turns off the 2 small lights inside there is broken on my recently acquired 2006 Z4M Coupe. So the lights stay on all the time, and consequently run the battery down over 3-4 days. Had the battery checked and it is ok so it is just the lights staying on.

I found a little metal piece and some plastic pieces that, apparently, were part of the little plunger on the lid that, when closed, would push down on the switch on the console and turn the light off. I can manually push down the little metal actuator in the console and the lights go off, so the switch is ok. The piece on the lid that depressed the switch is gone.

I don't know what it looked like before it was broken so I am having trouble figuring out the best way to rig a fix.

Any insight would be appreciated. Maybe a pic of what it is supposed to look like, or an easy fix?

[Pheonix]

There are no fixes that i know of. I have the same with my 2007 Z4MC and the entire door assembly was replaced under warranty. Since yours is probably out of warranty, i don't think it is worth replacing it. Maybe you could just remove the light bulbs? I don't think these lights link to any voltage/current monitoring system (bulb out warning light).

[bluecobra]

I have already removed the bulbs. I just need to figure out how to remove the door, I guess, and fashion some kind of plunger to push down on the switch. Something that doesn't look crappy though.........

Just looking for ideas.

Thanks!

[Shipkiller]

Look at the bottom of the door at the hinges. There are two tiny screws. Loosen those screws and the door slides off the hinges. Those two screws are part of two small clamps.

I had to remove my door once to do something....

[bluecobra]

Originally Posted by Shipkiller

Look at the bottom of the door at the hinges. There are two tiny screws. Loosen those screws and the door slides off the hinges. Those two screws are part of two small clamps.

I had to remove my door once to do something....

I thought those screws would get me somewhere. I'm on it!

Thanks!

[bluecobra]

Screws are out but the door won't go anywhere......I probably am not holding my mouth right. Being 6'2" does not make this easy in this little car. Everything is great when you are looking forward, but try to turn around and ooof!

[-c-]

You have to pull on it pretty good they clasp in. I always feel I'm going to brake it. I'm probably doing it wrong but it works for me, you have to pull it in the upper direction so the taps pull off correctly.

[bluecobra]

I pulled until I thought I would break it and then I gave up and removed the bulbs. Problem solved. I don't really keep anything in there anyway.....

[Pheonix]

I am glad you came to yor senses and took the easy way out. By the way, it is also a good practice to lock your car(even if you park inside your own garage). Because it take about 15 minutes for the car to go into "sleep mode". I was told the TCU will draw about 3A until the car went into complete shutddown (sleep) mode

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by Pheonix

I am glad you came to yor senses and took the easy way out. By the way, it is also a good practice to lock your car(even if you park inside your own garage). Because it take about 15 minutes for the car to go into "sleep mode". I was told the TCU will draw about 3A until the car went into complete shutddown (sleep) mode

Interesting. What about the alarm, if you have it? I wonder how much current the alarm draws if armed (doors locked)?

[Nate4641]

I have a similar problem on my car. Instead of the little arm being broken, the piece of plastic the switch sits on got bent to the side and the metal arm on the switch fell off. I disconnected the switch and problem solved. If you can get the switch off its mount, a few inches down the wire there is a connector that once separated stops the connection to turn on the lights.