OEM 6MT shift knob not lighting up

[jkim723]

Well a few months back I noticed the numbers on my shift knob stopped lighting up. It's really been bugging me these days, and my warranty expired in October so I can't take it to the dealer. All the other button's light up fine. Any idea's what the problem could be?

I just ordered the F10 M5 illuminated shift knob so I'm praying it lights up when I install it.

[thekurgan]

Have you lifted the boot to check the connector yet?

[THE TECH]

Sounds like you're covered either way.

[Bel-Tirid]

F10 m5 shift knob is only illuminated or can u order without illumination ?

[S65V8]

Originally Posted by jkim723

Well a few months back I noticed the numbers on my shift knob stopped lighting up. It's really been bugging me these days, and my warranty expired in October so I can't take it to the dealer. All the other button's light up fine. Any idea's what the problem could be?

I just ordered the F10 M5 illuminated shift knob so I'm praying it lights up when I install it.

Sounds like loose connector, you'll probably be fine.

[jkim723]

Originally Posted by thekurgan

Have you lifted the boot to check the connector yet?

Never tried until today, and this is what I find.



Well now I know what the problem was, so the new knob should be lighting up just fine...

[mdosu]

Originally Posted by Bel-Tirid

F10 m5 shift knob is only illuminated or can u order without illumination ?

No lights = is just the standard E9x zhp knob, a lot cheaper than the m5 knob, bc it doesn't come with the base ring

[thekurgan]

Originally Posted by jkim723

Never tried until today, and this is what I find.


Well now I know what the problem was, so the new knob should be lighting up just fine...

Those look like clean cuts?

[kornykidd0]

Dumb question, did ALL model years of the e9x M3 have a lighted shift knob? My 2008 doesn't light up, but I haven't pulled the boot to see if it just isn't plugged in or what yet...sort of just assumed maybe '08s didn't light up to begin with?

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by kornykidd0

Dumb question, did ALL model years of the e9x M3 have a lighted shift knob? My 2008 doesn't light up, but I haven't pulled the boot to see if it just isn't plugged in or what yet...sort of just assumed maybe '08s didn't light up to begin with?

Yes they all light up. My 2008 has a lighted knob.

[jkim723]

Originally Posted by kornykidd0

Dumb question, did ALL model years of the e9x M3 have a lighted shift knob? My 2008 doesn't light up, but I haven't pulled the boot to see if it just isn't plugged in or what yet...sort of just assumed maybe '08s didn't light up to begin with?

As gator mentioned, all 2008 are supposed to light up. In my case, the knob was lighting just fine and one day I noticed it stopped. I'm not sure how it got cut, but my guess is that maybe it happened during shifting??

My recommendation is to upgrade to the M5 shift knob

[yosman8]

Originally Posted by kornykidd0

Dumb question, did ALL model years of the e9x M3 have a lighted shift knob? My 2008 doesn't light up, but I haven't pulled the boot to see if it just isn't plugged in or what yet...sort of just assumed maybe '08s didn't light up to begin with?

I have a 2008 and it lights up.

[Endless619]

They all light up but this was the first ugly looking thing to leave my M3.

Went with the Performance shift knob as its the best looking and feeling one for my M3.

I still cant see why a lot of you folks like the uncomfortable feeling, ugly looking, high sitting OEM shift knob. I just don't get it. It is not appealing in any way.

Who cares if it lights up or not. That is not a requirement for shifting gears. lol

[kornykidd0]

Originally Posted by jkim723

As gator mentioned, all 2008 are supposed to light up. In my case, the knob was lighting just fine and one day I noticed it stopped. I'm not sure how it got cut, but my guess is that maybe it happened during shifting??

My recommendation is to upgrade to the M5 shift knob

Sorry to bump this back up. Yesterday I popped my shift boot up to take a look at why my shift knob wasn't lighting up and I found EXACTLY the same cuts as you had - nice, clean snips. I don't see how that could happen during shifting. I assume you just stripped the wires and reconnected them right? The conspiracy theorist in me says it's part of BMW protocol to snip those wires in order to reject a claim or something. There's no need to snip them when installing an unlighted ZHP knob right? Just unplug the wire and you're set...

[jkim723]

Originally Posted by kornykidd0

Sorry to bump this back up. Yesterday I popped my shift boot up to take a look at why my shift knob wasn't lighting up and I found EXACTLY the same cuts as you had - nice, clean snips. I don't see how that could happen during shifting. I assume you just stripped the wires and reconnected them right? The conspiracy theorist in me says it's part of BMW protocol to snip those wires in order to reject a claim or something. There's no need to snip them when installing an unlighted ZHP knob right? Just unplug the wire and you're set...

I really can't think of any other explanation besides the wire somehow getting cut during shifting. I didn't even strip and reconnect the wires. I replaced the stock knob for a M5 shift knob. I think it's pretty much the ZCP knob but lights up? Straight plug and play, easy to install.