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Re: Dome light timer

On a question from Joe Fahy;

>Subject: Dome light timer
>
>Hi All,  Does anyone have experience with the time delay on the dome light
>going
>off?  I beleive that they should stay on for 6-10 seconds after you close the
>last door.  On my car the lights go out immediately.  TIA

At least on E30s, the interior lights are operated directly by the door
jamb switches on all but the driver's door, and there is no delay for those
doors.  The driver's door operates the interior light via a time delay
relay.  The delay occurs only if the relay has been "armed" by a grounding
contact on the  outside door handle (so the delay does not occur when the
driver exits the car).  So if the light comes on when the driver's door is
opened, but does not remain on for a few seconds after being closed, look
for a faulty grounding contact on the forward edge of the door handle
(inside the door cavity).  The edge of the handle rubs a bent copper
contact.

It *could* also be faulty electronics in the relay, but more people seem to
have trouble with the door handle switch.

Hope this helps!

Paul Reitz
BMWCCA #1167