R56 Does your cigarette lighter bezel light?
#1
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Mertztown, Pa
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#3
#6
#7
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Mertztown, Pa
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Trending Topics
#9
realoem.com lists the cigarette lighter for R55/R56 with exactly the same part numbers as used in 1st gen MINIs: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...=61&fg=35&hl=1. As with the 1st gen, if you don't have ring illumination, you should be able to get it by adding the missing bulb socket (#5 in the diagram, part # 61346915065) and connecting it to a power source. The part is inexpensive (around $5 if I recall) and includes a bulb.
In the 1st gen MINI, the ring illumination was eliminated sometime in 2005, and my '06 cabrio did not have it. The bulb holder is missing and power for it is not in the cigarette lighter wiring harness. I purchased the socket and installed it in my cigarette lighter.
The factory wiring has the bulb connected to gauge lighting, so that the ring is lit up with the dash instruments, and brightness is controlled by the dash dimmer. An easy alternative is to simply connect a short wire from the bulb to the + of the lighter itself. Then the bulb will be illuminated at full brightness whenever there is power to the cigarette lighter. I did the easy wiring method in my cabrio. Since it is lit up whenever the car is on (not only at night) and at full brightness, the bulb burned out prematurely after about a year. I haven't replaced the bulb yet and I'm thinking about wiring it the correct way. At certain times of the day, it can look a bit odd when the ring is fully lit but the rest of the gauges and controls are dark. The gauge illumination line can be picked up from various sources in the center console.
In the 1st gen MINI, the ring illumination was eliminated sometime in 2005, and my '06 cabrio did not have it. The bulb holder is missing and power for it is not in the cigarette lighter wiring harness. I purchased the socket and installed it in my cigarette lighter.
The factory wiring has the bulb connected to gauge lighting, so that the ring is lit up with the dash instruments, and brightness is controlled by the dash dimmer. An easy alternative is to simply connect a short wire from the bulb to the + of the lighter itself. Then the bulb will be illuminated at full brightness whenever there is power to the cigarette lighter. I did the easy wiring method in my cabrio. Since it is lit up whenever the car is on (not only at night) and at full brightness, the bulb burned out prematurely after about a year. I haven't replaced the bulb yet and I'm thinking about wiring it the correct way. At certain times of the day, it can look a bit odd when the ring is fully lit but the rest of the gauges and controls are dark. The gauge illumination line can be picked up from various sources in the center console.
#13
I just retrofitted the factory armrest in my car and kind of broke the orange from the underside. I though I also broke the wire to the bulb, because it wouldn't glow, but after searching for the wire for over an hour, I couldn't find it!
Ironically there is a bulb installed in the ring, but after reading your comments, I wonder if it ever lit :s Apparently they just installed one of the enclosures that had the bulb, but never connected it. Where else could the wire have gone?? (the lighter itself works ok)
Ironically there is a bulb installed in the ring, but after reading your comments, I wonder if it ever lit :s Apparently they just installed one of the enclosures that had the bulb, but never connected it. Where else could the wire have gone?? (the lighter itself works ok)
#14
realoem.com lists the cigarette lighter for R55/R56 with exactly the same part numbers as used in 1st gen MINIs: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...=61&fg=35&hl=1. As with the 1st gen, if you don't have ring illumination, you should be able to get it by adding the missing bulb socket (#5 in the diagram, part # 61346915065) and connecting it to a power source. The part is inexpensive (around $5 if I recall) and includes a bulb.
#15
#17
I know for certain, that there is only one plug on the underside of the bulb carrier. But there is a second metal latch in the interior, so I assume it is interconnected to the lighter.
I am correct in assuming I only need to plug a +12V wire on the bulb carriage to light it up? I could use the lighter wires...
PS: I know someone has already done it like that (not entirely sure about the connections), but it will stay lit all the time...
I am correct in assuming I only need to plug a +12V wire on the bulb carriage to light it up? I could use the lighter wires...
PS: I know someone has already done it like that (not entirely sure about the connections), but it will stay lit all the time...
Last edited by alexs3d2; 05-18-2011 at 07:47 AM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
igzekyativ
MINIs & Minis for Sale
34
07-16-2020 12:54 PM
The_Kid
R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006)
10
08-18-2015 03:12 PM