What did you do for your ZHP/ BMW / MINI today? #2

[pedro2u]

Steering wheel question for those of you who've done a swap.... when disconnecting the 2 connectors to remove the wheel, I see a 3rd unused but pinned connector (2 pins I believe) to the left of the 2 that you remove. Anyone know what option would use that connector? What's it for?

In this picture I borrowed from Pelican, I've circled in RED the unused connector

[Overboost]

Plenty of time here in NC. Got around to detailing the X5 and E46 the past couple of weeks. Total cost $3 for wax applicator pads.

[Will]

^ Looks fantastic!!

[704sw]

Steering wheel question for those of you who've done a swap.... when disconnecting the 2 connectors to remove the wheel, I see a 3rd unused but pinned connector (2 pins I believe) to the left of the 2 that you remove. Anyone know what option would use that connector? What's it for?

In this picture I borrowed from Pelican, I've circled in RED the unused connector

I’m just spitballing here, but I’m going to *guess* it’s for use in another chassis that shares that same part. e.g., heated wheels were available in the E60, E65, E83, and I think E53 all in overlapping years with late E46s. A 2-pin connector would make sense for heating.

Kinda’ like how our side mirrors have the wiring in place for power folding even though (to my knowledge) that was never an option for our cars. It just simplifies production and the supply chain.

[Overboost]

Steering wheel question for those of you who've done a swap.... when disconnecting the 2 connectors to remove the wheel, I see a 3rd unused but pinned connector (2 pins I believe) to the left of the 2 that you remove. Anyone know what option would use that connector? What's it for?

You may be talking about the 3rd connector on the slipring? I used that connector for the paddles on my E46 and the heating element on my steering wheel on my E53.

[pedro2u]

You may be talking about the 3rd connector on the slipring? I used that connector for the paddles on my E46 and the heating element on my steering wheel on my E53.

yes, asking about that 3rd connector (not part of the wheel, its in the harness in the steering column). I wish I'd taken a picture when I had mine apart since I may be causing issues by borrowing images I find on the web. Here's a better "borrowed" pic of that 3rd connector (this image has no pins, but mine had 2 pins)

[Overboost]

The image you show is the clockspring without the pins for that connector. They used the same housing probably due to manufacturing costs but you can get the clocksprings with or without that connector populated with the 2 pins. As I mentioned, on my E46, I used those pins for the paddle shift levers on my M3 SMG wheel to control sport mode shifting in my ZF automatic box. On my E53, those pins are used for the heated steering wheel wiring.

[704sw]

The image you show is the clockspring without the pins for that connector. They used the same housing probably due to manufacturing costs but you can get the clocksprings with or without that connector populated with the 2 pins. As I mentioned, on my E46, I used those pins for the paddle shift levers on my M3 SMG wheel to control sport mode shifting in my ZF automatic box. On my E53, those pins are used for the heated steering wheel wiring.

Is your heated E53 wheel a 3 or 4 spoke? A few years back I stumbled down the rabbit hole of retrofitting a heated wheel into my X3 (using an E38 7 Series wheel) but if there are 3 spoke wheel options I’d rather look into trying to make that work instead.

[pedro2u]

The image you show is the clockspring without the pins for that connector. They used the same housing probably due to manufacturing costs but you can get the clocksprings with or without that connector populated with the 2 pins. As I mentioned, on my E46, I used those pins for the paddle shift levers on my M3 SMG wheel to control sport mode shifting in my ZF automatic box. On my E53, those pins are used for the heated steering wheel wiring.

Since the ZHP didn't come with optional paddle shifters (at least I don't think), you're saying the wire harness used on my E46 was probably a common harness to the M3 which did have paddle shifters or other steering wheel options - just for cost savings purposes. That would make sense......

[johnrando]

I think that's right. (For sure paddles were not an option). But, to install my paddles, I had to buy an SMG M3 clock spring to replace my std zhp one. That allowed the additional wiring harness to connect and make the paddles work.

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