[Tim@codemybimmer]

Originally Posted by jondaman

Based on another post, the FEM is around the passenger footrest area? I want to see if I need to order the cables to connect it or not. Coming from a baseline car, it probably doesn't have the connection

Yes, the FEM is in the Front Passenger Footwell (kickpanel by the door.)

My car is a Sport Line but it didn't have the wiring, however an EU Base Line has the wiring. It's case-by-case.

[jondaman]

Originally Posted by Timbits93

Yes, the FEM is in the Front Passenger Footwell (kickpanel by the door.)

My car is a Sport Line but it didn't have the wiring, however an EU Base Line has the wiring. It's case-by-case.

To open the passenger footwell, do I just pull on the plastic cover that is closer to the front of the car (shorter piece). I tries pulling it a bit but it didn't want to give, I just wanna make sure that is the right piece before putting force on it.
Do you know of a tutorial?

[squidlyboy]

To get at the FEM, you'll need to remove a few trim pieces before you can access it:

1. Remove passenger side door side sill cover strip
2. Remove bottom trim piece just below the passenger glove box.
3. Removal of A-pillar trim piece at bottom of FEM



It shouldn't take more than 15-20 minutes to do. It helps when you know what's behind the trim pieces holding them in. The pics below should guide you through...

[jondaman]

Originally Posted by squidlyboy

To get at the FEM, you'll need to remove a few trim pieces before you can access it:

1. Remove passenger side door side sill cover strip
2. Remove bottom trim piece just below the passenger glove box.
3. Removal of A-pillar trim piece at bottom of FEM

It shouldn't take more than 15-20 minutes to do. It helps when you know what's behind the trim pieces holding them in. The pics below should guide you through...

Thanks. I thought the FEM was near the footwell at the center and not the outside of the car, thanks for the diagram. I will have to check if the wire is connected on mine tomorrow.
Do you work for BMW? How did you get your hands on those things so fast :P
For other people who are interested, here is the FEM module location.

Here is the Pin Diagram, you are looking for connector number 8. the SZL (Steering Column switch Cluster):

And finally the wiring diagram.

[squidlyboy]

Originally Posted by jondaman

Thanks. I thought the FEM was near the footwell at the center and not the outside of the car, thanks for the diagram.

Thats right. Its covered up by the passenger side A-pillar kick panel. That kick panel is in turn covered up by that side's door sill piece, which is why you have to go "outside" so to speak. The pictures are not that great, but its all inside.

I updated the procedure using your pic, which is a much better way to show where everything is. thats a great pic of the fem

[jondaman]

Originally Posted by squidlyboy

Thats right. Its covered up by the passenger side A-pillar kick panel. That kick panel is in turn covered up by that side's door sill piece, which is why you have to go "outside" so to speak. The pictures are not that great, but its all inside.

Thanks a lot, my friend. I found the electrical systems document and giving it a good read.
Next stop is to learn coding

[jondaman]

Originally Posted by squidlyboy

Thats right. Its covered up by the passenger side A-pillar kick panel. That kick panel is in turn covered up by that side's door sill piece, which is why you have to go "outside" so to speak. The pictures are not that great, but its all inside.

I updated the procedure using your pic, which is a much better way to show where everything is. thats a great pic of the fem

Last quick question before I do this, is the SZL connector number 9 on the diagram FEM diagram?

[squidlyboy]

I don't think that's right. If you go back to that original wiring post:

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...0&postcount=82

You need to go from FEM (Connector: A173*7B , Pin: 5) --> SZL (Connector A83*2B , Pin: 3)

Connector A173*7B is the 3rd from left. Looks like you are pointing to 2nd from left (what you highlighted in red).

Those high-level diagrams you pulled from the BMW system brochures are nice for high-level overviews and diagrams, but when you are going down to the actual wiring connectors, pins, etc.. you should switch to Rheingold ISTA/D for all official connector identifiers (e.g. A173*7B). That's where Timur's pics came from and where mine came from (I don't work for BMW lol). I'll send you a PM...

Good luck with the install - almost there ...

[jrortiz]

Someone should do a DIY

[ngbernie]

Originally Posted by twincam23

you replaced your wheel so I think you just need to code your car for it.
below are the parts I bought.

Keep in mind that I didn't get a new steering wheel, I just modified my M-sport wheel. Connecting lines will vary depending what feature your wheel currently have. I have heated wheel.

Bought everything from ECS
http://www.ecstuning.com/

Screw Set ES#2599088
Rear Steering Wheel Cover ES#2706880
CONNECTING LINE, STE ES#2633640

Bought the paddles off Ebay from autopartsus
located in NY.

About the connecting line, there seems to be many variants:
http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/F3...ther#7848337_5

I do not have any of the options - heating, sport transmission and warnings -but wish to code to sport transmission. Should I be getting 32307848335 (ECS Part# ES#2633640) instead?
Or it is a 1 size fit all, the one you listed works even if you do not have the options listed?
They are the same price

[twincam23]

Originally Posted by ngbernie

I do not have any of the options - heating, sport transmission and warnings -but wish to code to sport transmission. Should I be getting 32307848335 (ECS Part# ES#2633640) instead?
Or it is a 1 size fit all, the one you listed works even if you do not have the options listed?
They are the same price

correct, my part number covered lane change/departure warning which my wheel didnt have and it still worked.
looked at the part you mentioned on the ECS site, it looks like the correct cable for you.

[ngbernie]

Originally Posted by twincam23

correct, my part number covered lane change/departure warning which my wheel didnt have and it still worked.
looked at the part you mentioned on the ECS site, it looks like the correct cable for you.

Thanks, that was great info.

About the wire connecting to the airbag, it's a totally separate loom from this wiring?
I'm coming from a non M-sport steering wheel trying to retrofit to M-sport, but the new airbag didn't come with any wirings. I suppose the existing one can be used back?

[twincam23]

If the existing airbag connector fits, use it.

[LittleBlackHawk]

Hi, is there any trick while drilling the hole for the paddle? I am thinking about doing the same retrofit, but wondering how to locate the hole precisely and what kind of the drill bit is recommend? The metal seems hard and thick. Thank you.

[IancoleTX]

OK, time to add some notes. I installed paddle shifters to my factory m-sport wheel last night using this thread and others, and here are some tips to save you some heartache:

0.) This is a great guide generally: http://www.mediafire.com/view/m33a3n...30_Rev._3L.pdf

1.) If you have an M-sport wheel and need advice on removing the airbag, go here: http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...php?p=18297090

2.) If you do not have factory paddles, and need to know where to drill, go here:
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=973545

3.) If you forgot to buy the factory screws for the paddles, a pair of #6 x 3/4 sheet metal screws will work fine. Yes really.

4.) See attached picture. You need to understand that the horn operates by means of the central ring contacting the aluminum steering wheel frame. This ground point needs to be installed so that it does not make contact between the horn ring and the wheel frame unless you think a constant horn blowing while you frantically jam your car back into the garage and run to disconnect the battery sounds fun.

With that in mind.. good luck and have fun. I think it's about a 2 hour job if you can avoid these pitfalls.

[jrortiz]

@IancoleTX Thank you very mucho for sharing the information.

[IancoleTX]

Originally Posted by jrortiz

@IancoleTX Thank you very mucho for sharing the information.

No problem bro, good luck!

[thatg20guy]

Originally Posted by IancoleTX

4.) See attached picture. You need to understand that the horn operates by means of the central ring contacting the aluminum steering wheel frame. This ground point needs to be installed so that it does not make contact between the horn ring and the wheel frame unless you think a constant horn blowing while you frantically jam your car back into the garage and run to disconnect the battery sounds fun.

With that in mind.. good luck and have fun. I think it's about a 2 hour job if you can avoid these pitfalls.

IancoleTX Thanks for the information! I literally had that problem where my horn was going off and I was frantically trying to pull over to disconnect my battery after repeatedly pressing the horn button to try to get it to stop. Good thing I had a socket wrench handy in my trunk...

I should have taken a picture when I fixed the problem, but essentially there's a tiny piece of metal connected to a black screw in the base plate of the steering wheel, which can be found near the circled area in IancoleTX's photo. At first I didn't know what to do, until I realized that it was bent so far that it was touching the metal base plate, keeping the horn circuit connected even after the central ring lost contact with the base plate. All that needs to be done is to bend that little metal piece away from the base plate and problem solved!

If you want to see how the horn works, press on the ring surrounding the hex nut and it will depress, almost like a button. When you press the horn (essentially pressing on the entire airbag housing when installed in the steering wheel), you connect a circuit by touching the central ring to the steering wheel base. Normally the central ring is the positive terminal and the steering wheel base is the ground. However, if the ground wire is touching the central ring, the circuit is still connected as there is still a ground. I've also attached another picture to hopefully make this clearer!

[Aello]

I have a 2014 335i with the M-Sport package which has the M sport steering wheel and steering wheel heater. What do I need to buy in order to retrofit paddles on? And how can I tell if it's prewired?

[madmortar]

Any advice on what bit to use when drilling the holes in m-sport steering wheel?

[david51]

If you have the son as indicated then you are prewired

[stuartey]

i have the sport, and bought the wire and connectors, turns out the wire was alresdy installed. added the 2TB to vo and all worked fine