BMW M3 Forum (E90 E92)

BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   M3Post - BMW M3 Forum > E90/E92 M3 Technical Topics > DIY Guides/ Discussions
 
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      04-02-2018, 11:01 PM   #1
JsL
Major
United_States
448
Rep
1,263
Posts

Drives: 2011 AW M3 ZCP
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: SF Bay Area

iTrader: (2)

Help with DCT Paddle Connectors

How do you remove this connector that connects to the dct paddles on the steering wheel. The diy video and Sonic MS diy pictures don't show details on removing it. It implies it just pulls out, but I've pulled and pulled and nothing. I've tried sticking different screwdrivers in the connector but still nothing.

Any help or tips on where to apply force on the connector? A pic of the connect's locking tab would be very helpful.
Attached Images
 
Appreciate 0
      04-02-2018, 11:18 PM   #2
msan
Major
403
Rep
1,171
Posts

Drives: 2011 E90 M3 / 2012 X5 35i M Sp
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Los Angeles, CA

iTrader: (16)

If I remember they are tough to pull out. The top side is smooth so sticking a flat screw drive will not help. If anything the only "tab" is on the bottom side. Try sticking the super small and thin flat head on the bottom and then pull.
Appreciate 0
      04-02-2018, 11:41 PM   #3
JsL
Major
United_States
448
Rep
1,263
Posts

Drives: 2011 AW M3 ZCP
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: SF Bay Area

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by msan View Post
If I remember they are tough to pull out. The top side is smooth so sticking a flat screw drive will not help. If anything the only "tab" is on the bottom side. Try sticking the super small and thin flat head on the bottom and then pull.
I've stuck 2 tiny screw drivers and a paperclip in there. Still doesn't release.
Appreciate 0
      04-02-2018, 11:44 PM   #4
msan
Major
403
Rep
1,171
Posts

Drives: 2011 E90 M3 / 2012 X5 35i M Sp
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Los Angeles, CA

iTrader: (16)

I can sympathize. All I can say is it will come out eventually but hopefully nothing breaks. Those parts are not cheap
Appreciate 0
      04-03-2018, 06:27 AM   #5
EJT86
Brigadier General
EJT86's Avatar
United_States
2383
Rep
3,726
Posts

Drives: 2018 M2
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Boston, MA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
  [0.00]
2018 BMW M2  [0.00]
Squeeze on the sides hard and pull. There’s a few connectors like that on the interior where it feels like you’re gonna break it but at the same time it’s the only way to disconnect it. Just don’t use tool because that’s the main way that they end up breaking and if somethat has to break you’re better off breaking the wire than the connector
Appreciate 0
      04-03-2018, 12:24 PM   #6
JsL
Major
United_States
448
Rep
1,263
Posts

Drives: 2011 AW M3 ZCP
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: SF Bay Area

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by EJT86 View Post
Squeeze on the sides hard and pull. There’s a few connectors like that on the interior where it feels like you’re gonna break it but at the same time it’s the only way to disconnect it. Just don’t use tool because that’s the main way that they end up breaking and if somethat has to break you’re better off breaking the wire than the connector
Thanks! Maybe I need to make a blood sacrifice to the car gods before the connector lets loose. Haha
Appreciate 1
SYT_Shadow11421.00
      04-03-2018, 05:50 PM   #7
M3ANMACHINE
Admiral
M3ANMACHINE's Avatar
United_States
930
Rep
3,886
Posts

Drives: 2011 E90 M3 + 2014 F15 X5
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Irvine, CA

iTrader: (11)

Yea, it's a PITA. Just pull hard
__________________
2020 FORD RAPTOR
2014 F15 X5 | M-SPORT
SOLD
2011 SG E90 M3 | 2008 AW E90 M3 | 2004 E46 M3
Appreciate 0
      04-03-2018, 11:05 PM   #8
Grayblack
Captain
Grayblack's Avatar
179
Rep
994
Posts

Drives: E92 M3 and G07 X7
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: OC, CA

iTrader: (8)

I recall mine came out pretty easily just by wiggling it back and forth. Could’ve been lucky though.
Appreciate 0
      04-04-2018, 07:16 AM   #9
EJT86
Brigadier General
EJT86's Avatar
United_States
2383
Rep
3,726
Posts

Drives: 2018 M2
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Boston, MA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
  [0.00]
2018 BMW M2  [0.00]
Go old school and tie a string around it then tie the string to the door and slam the door. Then put the connector under your pillow when you go to bed
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2018, 01:45 PM   #10
Youngh
Private First Class
26
Rep
153
Posts

Drives: 2009 E92 M3
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Hacienda Heights

iTrader: (3)

If I'm thinking of the part correctly, I think you can get away with not pulling that out. Otherwise everything I removed when I was changing mine was taken out by a really tiny flathead
__________________
2009 E92 M3

2015 435i (previous)
2015 428i (previous)
2008 350z (previous)
Appreciate 0
      06-11-2018, 09:04 PM   #11
Tewie
Lieutenant
Tewie's Avatar
United_States
196
Rep
466
Posts

Drives: 2011 E92 ZCP Melbourne/FoxRed
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Vallejo, CA

iTrader: (0)

Had the same problem so I went ahead and swapped paddles without removing the wires. Could have done this by only removing the airbag. Just be extremely careful not to drop the ball bearing when removing/replacing the paddles.
Appreciate 0
      07-19-2020, 01:07 PM   #12
Jerezblack.m3
First Lieutenant
Jerezblack.m3's Avatar
147
Rep
306
Posts

Drives: BMW E92 M3
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: San Francisco

iTrader: (4)

i broke mines! can i just get a connector and repin them?
Appreciate 0
      07-19-2020, 04:00 PM   #13
msan
Major
403
Rep
1,171
Posts

Drives: 2011 E90 M3 / 2012 X5 35i M Sp
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Los Angeles, CA

iTrader: (16)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jerezblack.m3 View Post
i broke mines! can i just get a connector and repin them?

Try this

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ol-61138377072
Appreciate 0
      07-24-2020, 10:48 PM   #14
Jerezblack.m3
First Lieutenant
Jerezblack.m3's Avatar
147
Rep
306
Posts

Drives: BMW E92 M3
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: San Francisco

iTrader: (4)

Quote:
Originally Posted by msan View Post
yoooooooo. Thank you so much!!
Attached Images
  
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:29 AM.




m3post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST