DIY M Performance Steering Wheel (v2 electronic)

[SYT_Shadow]

All

As the original DIYs are all gone because of Photobucket's decision to screw everyone people are having issues installing these steering wheels in M3s.

The v2 electronic steering wheel was apparently not designed for the E9X M3, so the instructions you get from BMW are not completely accurate.
The complication comes from where you're supposed to get power from under the driver's footwell

This is how my 6MT steering wheel is wired. This works perfectly, every time. I've been using it for 3 years at the track without a hiccup.

If you follow the BMW instructions and take these pics into account you should be able to get yours to work

A1: green-brown -- gets plugged into a solid red cable on the harness
A2: brown -- gets plugged into brown on the harness


Here is the wiring harness you get with the cables with the A1 and A2 cables labelled



Here's another photo of the same cables




On the driver's side foot well you remove the cover with 3 torx screws and immediately run into this big connector

Notice the wire taps

[su_root]

Thanks for the updated pictures.

From all my reading the 'inconsistent shift lights' issue only exists on DCT-equipped models and to date there is no permanent solution so that it works consistently. I've had my V2 installed for about 4 months now. I'm drawing power from the JBE module underneath the passenger footwell.

This solves the memory lost issue but every now and then I lose the shift lights. The only fix is to cut power to the wheel.

Some owners solve this by installing a small SPDT switch to toggle power off/on to the wheel.

Personally I don't need the functionality of the wheel when day to day driving so it rarely bothers me. When I get to the track I pull the ground terminal from the cars battery in the trunk for about 10s then reattach it and all is Ok.

[so0fresh]

i have the dct version of this no issues with mine

[slicer]

Thanks for posting. Now I kind of want one.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by slicer

Thanks for posting. Now I kind of want one.

Best thing since sliced bread

[Kash]

Originally Posted by so0fresh

i have the dct version of this no issues with mine

Originally Posted by so0fresh

i have the dct version of this no issues with mine

Did you install or dealer installed it? How much for installation fee and did you tell the mechanic to wire it in a particular way?

[azndrunk74]

Originally Posted by su_root

Thanks for the updated pictures.

From all my reading the 'inconsistent shift lights' issue only exists on DCT-equipped models and to date there is no permanent solution so that it works consistently. I've had my V2 installed for about 4 months now. I'm drawing power from the JBE module underneath the passenger footwell.

This solves the memory lost issue but every now and then I lose the shift lights. The only fix is to cut power to the wheel.

Some owners solve this by installing a small SPDT switch to toggle power off/on to the wheel.

Personally I don't need the functionality of the wheel when day to day driving so it rarely bothers me. When I get to the track I pull the ground terminal from the cars battery in the trunk for about 10s then reattach it and all is Ok.

i have a small switch under the passenger glovebox and only use it when i want the shift light functionality.

Originally Posted by so0fresh

i have the dct version of this no issues with mine

your wheel either doesn't retain memory of functions and shift lights work (at default setting), or retains memory and the shift light functionality is intermittent. i'm guessing the former.

[VikAry]

Originally Posted by so0fresh

i have the dct version of this no issues with mine

i have the dct version of this no issues with mine[/QUOTE]

I went to the dealer yesterday and was told that this part does not work with the DCT version. I don't understand why this car in Australia works but mine doesn't.

I am ready to buy this today but my concern is that it won't work correctly.

Here's the YouTube Video -

[azndrunk74]

I went to the dealer yesterday and was told that this part does not work with the DCT version. I don't understand why this car in Australia works but mine doesn't.

I am ready to buy this today but my concern is that it won't work correctly.

Here's the YouTube Video -

It wasn't made for DCT but it works. The only issue is the shift lights depending on how you wire it.

2 ways to wire it:
1) via 12v ashtray: wheel won't retain memory of functions and but shift lights work and reset to default setting every start

2) via JBE power: retain memory of functions and the shift light functionality is intermittent (can install a power on/off switch, what I have done to get shift light functionality)

[VikAry]

Originally Posted by azndrunk74

It wasn't made for DCT but it works. The only issue is the shift lights depending on how you wire it.

2 ways to wire it:
1) via 12v ashtray: wheel won't retain memory of functions and but shift lights work and reset to default setting every start

2) via JBE power: retain memory of functions and the shift light functionality is intermittent (can install a power on/off switch, what I have done to get shift light functionality)

Thanks, this is helpful. It looks like option #2 is the way to go b/c I'll retain memory functions and the lights will work correctly if I wire it into the existing junction box? If that's is true, then do you mind telling me how you wired it and what type of on/off switch you used?

-Vikas

[azndrunk74]

Originally Posted by VikAry

Thanks, this is helpful. It looks like option #2 is the way to go b/c I'll retain memory functions and the lights will work correctly if I wire it into the existing junction box? If that's is true, then do you mind telling me how you wired it and what type of on/off switch you used?

-Vikas

i can't recall off the top of my head. it was posted in another V2 steering wheel thread. i got the on/off switch from amazon, it's just a single wire switch.

[VikAry]

Originally Posted by azndrunk74

i can't recall off the top of my head. it was posted in another V2 steering wheel thread. i got the on/off switch from amazon, it's just a single wire switch.

Hmm, I would appreciate it if you could point me to that thread or if you can recall what switch you used. My buddy is going to help me install the whole thing and the more information I can give him, the better my chances of this working out.

Thanks again.

[Nazty Naze One!]

Has anyone paired this with an awron gauge?

[EnVe46]

Bumping this up. I just had my V2 installed. The only time the shift lights work now is when Im in the setting screen for it. When I first picked it up fro BMW, it worked after saving the setting. Im assuming my issue is whats discussed here in the thread. So, what should I tell the BMW tech to do exactly?

[SYT_Shadow]

Update: my wheel was connected as described above and it works perfectly, just like the 6MT one.

It doesn't lose memory, etc

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by EnVe46

Bumping this up. I just had my V2 installed. The only time the shift lights work now is when Im in the setting screen for it. When I first picked it up fro BMW, it worked after saving the setting. Im assuming my issue is whats discussed here in the thread. So, what should I tell the BMW tech to do exactly?

I wish I could help you but it doesn't work that way for my two wheels

I do have to turn mine on to do anything with the two thumb buttons

[EnVe46]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

I wish I could help you but it doesn't work that way for my two wheels

I do have to turn mine on to do anything with the two thumb buttons

Yup, mine as well. Every time I start the car it lights up and says M Performance but then I have to hold the buttons to turn it on. If I go to the setting screen for shift lights, they will light up at any RPM. The minute I hold the left button to save, they go away.

[Nazty Naze One!]

Bump

[BMWSpeedFreek]

In for more info!

SF

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by EnVe46

Yup, mine as well. Every time I start the car it lights up and says M Performance but then I have to hold the buttons to turn it on. If I go to the setting screen for shift lights, they will light up at any RPM. The minute I hold the left button to save, they go away.

Yes, this is the normal behavior except that you can't save when the lights start working

Sometimes i think mine don't work but because they're set to flash at 8500. So i have to go way up before they start turning on

[EnVe46]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

Yes, this is the normal behavior except that you can't save when the lights start working

Sometimes i think mine don't work but because they're set to flash at 8500. So i have to go way up before they start turning on

I figured out my issue. I was in the "blue" economy screen, moment I switched to race screen with orange label at the top, shift lights work as they're supposed to. Love this wheel!

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by EnVe46

I figured out my issue. I was in the "blue" economy screen, moment I switched to race screen with orange label at the top, shift lights work as they're supposed to. Love this wheel!

Great to hear that!!! Awesome!!!