[theteej]

Recently had my dealer fit the 'Iconic Glow' retrofit to my G20. Looks fantastic however I would like it to be kept on whenever driving. At the moment it is only on when the car is in "Welcome and goodbye mode".

I've tried to find if it has its own ECU however it doesn't seem to. From what I can gather online it somehow ties into the BDC_BODY but for the life of me there aren't any options to set the grille to be on all the time.

I've found the VO code for the Iconic Glow as: 3DN and tried to VO code the BDC_BODY but does not make any difference.

In the head unit ECU I found the code to turn the iconic glow menu on which I did however none of the settings take effect so I take it I am missing something somewhere?

Had a look in ISTA+ and can't see any obvious ECU that stands out that says it controls the kidney grill lights.

Also found the attached image from BMWs website.. so potentially I have to change a region code variable somewhere so it stays on?
I'm in Australia so I have a EUR model.

I'm unsure how exactly the dealer fitted it to the car - would be grateful for any help!

[brianeck]

Oh no. No no no. We want this feature to go the way of the dodo and people are out here retrofitting it??

[theteej]

Originally Posted by brianeck

Oh no. No no no. We want this feature to go the way of the dodo and people are out here retrofitting it??

Ok ok admittedly it isn't for everyone but for pre-lci g20 it suits IMO

[horfic]

for the pre-cli iconic glow kit is a button available to be added which allows to have the grill enabled while driving.

this might not be legal in your country and was therefore not installed.

that said, it can be retrofitted.

the menu at the mgu is only for the iconic glow which is for newer cars where the iconic glow is directly connected to the bdc ports

[theteej]

Originally Posted by horfic

for the pre-cli iconic glow kit is a button available to be added which allows to have the grill enabled while driving.

this might not be legal in your country and was therefore not installed.

that said, it can be retrofitted.

the menu at the mgu is only for the iconic glow which is for newer cars where the iconic glow is directly connected to the bdc ports

Thanks for your reply buddy.

I've contacted a couple of places like Bimmertech and all said a similar thing that the button is the missing piece of the puzzle if I want the iconic glow on whilst driving.

What I haven't been able to determine unfortunately is

1) If I purchase the button whether or not it will have the necessary connections to plug into?

2) If I can just press the button once and the car remembers that I want the glow on whilst driving all the time instead of having to press the button each time I start the car.

3) The retrofit installation manual that has the instructions for adding the button. I've got the G20 retrofit guide but it doesn't have the guide on putting the button in. If someone has the guide/pdf file which outlines how to install the button (drilling etc.) that would be most helpful please!

[jazzyphili]

Originally Posted by theteej

Thanks for your reply buddy.

I've contacted a couple of places like Bimmertech and all said a similar thing that the button is the missing piece of the puzzle if I want the iconic glow on whilst driving.

What I haven't been able to determine unfortunately is

1) If I purchase the button whether or not it will have the necessary connections to plug into?

2) If I can just press the button once and the car remembers that I want the glow on whilst driving all the time instead of having to press the button each time I start the car.

3) The retrofit installation manual that has the instructions for adding the button. I've got the G20 retrofit guide but it doesn't have the guide on putting the button in. If someone has the guide/pdf file which outlines how to install the button (drilling etc.) that would be most helpful please!

I think the button is for G30 iconic glow kit but it will fit G20. You will need to drill a hole on the side of the steering wheel though.

Part number is 63-17-2-468-335. Hope this helps.

[theteej]

Originally Posted by jazzyphili

I think the button is for G30 iconic glow kit but it will fit G20. You will need to drill a hole on the side of the steering wheel though.

Part number is 63-17-2-468-335. Hope this helps.

Thanks buddy, will see how I go haha.

[theteej]

Okay so if anyone is following this thread I succeeded in connecting the button and is working correctly. I messaged another bimmerpost user (horfic) who said that the plug that the iconic glow button would connect into would exist as the same wiring harness would have been used and it would just be tucked away behind the passenger footwell (drivers side footwell for me as I am RHD).

After pulling apart the drivers side footwell, low and behold I found the plug! Along with others for the magic carpet stuff but that isn't relevant to me.



And here is the plug (dealer was nice enough to label everything according to the installation instructions so the label matched what I was looking for.


Next was routing the plug to the steering wheel column.

Keep in mind there is an airbag between the footwell and the column so naturally be careful in this area. Tried to follow the other cable that was routed there to replicate how it might look OEM.



As you can see I have unclipped the bottom of the steering wheel column as per the workshop manual (I'll attach the relevant part).

Presenting the bottom steering wheel column!




Installation guide says drill a 14mm diameter hole however it was a struggle getting the button to fit in, it was very tight so ended up slightly bigger (closer to 15mm).



Remember, don't push the modular pins into the plug UNTIL the button is in the hole otherwise you'll come unstuck.



And button is in!





Managed to squeeze the connection in the side groove of the column so the cable isn't moving around that much.




Next put column back in, connect the cables up and wa-la


Things to note:

* Button is momentary press. Each time you start the car you have to press the button (sigh). As in it doesn't remember your setting. This piece of information I couldn't find anywhere so I hope it helps someone. I've thought about it and figured there is probably a way to rig up a way so each time the car starts to trigger the button press to be automatic - maybe when I have more time.

* Is it worth it? I feel it is, I mean the G20 in itself is a beautiful car and whilst I was disappointed the dealer didn't put this button in due to the regulatory issues in my country I'm glad that the cabling existed so I could do it myself. Moreover I've seen some newer X cars with an iconic glow driving around so stuffed if I know what the problem is and why they don't put the button in the G20s for in my country.

I hope that the above information helps someone. I'm not good by any means giving tutorials but hope this has some value!

[HansVanBimmer]

Originally Posted by theteej

Okay so if anyone is following this thread I succeeded in connecting the button and is working correctly. I messaged another bimmerpost user (horfic) who said that the plug that the iconic glow button would connect into would exist as the same wiring harness would have been used and it would just be tucked away behind the passenger footwell (drivers side footwell for me as I am RHD).

After pulling apart the drivers side footwell, low and behold I found the plug! Along with others for the magic carpet stuff but that isn't relevant to me.

Attachment 3778924

And here is the plug (dealer was nice enough to label everything according to the installation instructions so the label matched what I was looking for.
Attachment 3778925

Next was routing the plug to the steering wheel column.

Keep in mind there is an airbag between the footwell and the column so naturally be careful in this area. Tried to follow the other cable that was routed there to replicate how it might look OEM.

Attachment 3778927

As you can see I have unclipped the bottom of the steering wheel column as per the workshop manual (I'll attach the relevant part).

Presenting the bottom steering wheel column!
Attachment 3778928

Attachment 3778929

Installation guide says drill a 14mm diameter hole however it was a struggle getting the button to fit in, it was very tight so ended up slightly bigger (closer to 15mm).

Attachment 3778930

Remember, don't push the modular pins into the plug UNTIL the button is in the hole otherwise you'll come [...]

Im taking a different approach and bypassing the BDC locic entirely by running a bistable relay between the button, grill, and power source.

Installing this weekend so I’m hoping to post a video shortly. End functionality is that the light is tied to engine power, and will only turn on/off if the engine is on and button is pushed. It retains the memory on the next start as well, and lights can be kept on while driving. All together, something like 200 in OEM bmw parts and 50 for basic wiring components (including relay)

If functionality works as expected, I’ll post a parts list and wiring diagram for the relay fab box I made, and overall wiring.

[theteej]

Originally Posted by HansVanBimmer

Im taking a different approach and bypassing the BDC locic entirely by running a bistable relay between the button, grill, and power source.

Installing this weekend so I’m hoping to post a video shortly. End functionality is that the light is tied to engine power, and will only turn on/off if the engine is on and button is pushed. It retains the memory on the next start as well, and lights can be kept on while driving. All together, something like 200 in OEM bmw parts and 50 for basic wiring components (including relay)

If functionality works as expected, I’ll post a parts list and wiring diagram for the relay fab box I made, and overall wiring.

Cool idea! Glad to see others appreciate the look of the iconic glow just as much as I do.

Keen to see it once it is all together.

[HansVanBimmer]

Originally Posted by theteej

Cool idea! Glad to see others appreciate the look of the iconic glow just as much as I do.

Keen to see it once it is all together.

I’m halfway there - I just need to wire in two relays and the OEM button. Beyond excited to finish this mini project, but a BoM together and do a walkthrough of the install highlighting pain points.

Day time and night -

[theteej]

Originally Posted by HansVanBimmer

I’m halfway there - I just need to wire in two relays and the OEM button. Beyond excited to finish this mini project, but a BoM together and do a walkthrough of the install highlighting pain points.

Day time and night -

Looks wicked mate!
I never ended up posting a picture of the glow going on mine, I'll have to get a specy one for you!

Just curious - did you make it so you don't have to press the button each time the car turns on? As in the iconic glow will auto turn on without requiring the button press?