camera doctor 25 Report post Posted February 5, 2008 After having my 1996 Ex Japan E39 540i for six months, buying owners manual, downloading another manual etc, I can't find out what this knob does! Any ideas? I wonder if the red part is the reciever for the door remote - I read somewhere that they are IRed on these cars not RF, but what does the switch switch?? TIA Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Driftit 2069 Report post Posted February 5, 2008 Doesn't that turn your auto tinting mirror on and off at night? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
camera doctor 25 Report post Posted February 5, 2008 Doesn't that turn your auto tinting mirror on and off at night? I wondered if that was it, but wifey said she tried and it did not seem to change - I will have to try it myself, but at night, I tend to be the passenger ( Sober driver! ) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martyyn 2 Report post Posted February 5, 2008 I wouldve thought it was the infrared for your alarm, but I dont remember seeing one with markings on it In the older cars when the 'knob' was in the dash you could have it either up or down. One would automatically close the windows when you locked the car with the remote, the other didnt...is that it ? I assume you have to point your key at it when you lock the car ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr E34 11 Report post Posted February 5, 2008 The Japanese are very careful people, it probably flashes as you enter a RED light district or Yakuza controlled suburb. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greenday-rulz21 6 Report post Posted February 5, 2008 I assume you have to point your key at it when you lock the car ?Nope, can point it the other way even around a corner and it will still lock. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martyyn 2 Report post Posted February 5, 2008 Nope, can point it the other way even around a corner and it will still lock.Some cars have infrared some have rf remotes. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
*Glenn* 854 Report post Posted February 5, 2008 (edited) Its the ifra red sensor for your remote key for locking & unlocking the car. Turning it should flick the mirror for antiglare Edited February 5, 2008 by botanymotorworx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cainchapman 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2008 Glenn is correct. When turned toward the driver, the auto-dimming mirror should work. Check it by shoving a finger of the Opto on the rear of the mirror and shine a light on the opto on the front of the mirror. It should go greenish. If it doesn't, well you have a very expensive non-dimming mirror. It is also the IR for the doors. Mine is black (so much more stylish than red) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
*Glenn* 854 Report post Posted February 6, 2008 Glenn is correct. When turned toward the driver, the auto-dimming mirror should work. Check it by shoving a finger of the Opto on the rear of the mirror and shine a light on the opto on the front of the mirror. It should go greenish. If it doesn't, well you have a very expensive non-dimming mirror. It is also the IR for the doors. Mine is black (so much more stylish than red) Actually Cain....I lied The "O" is for ordinary people The "I" is for idiots who don't read owner manuals... or even own one Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apex 693 Report post Posted February 6, 2008 Yea it’s the Auto dimmer, It took me a while to figure out what it did on mine also Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greg111 13 Report post Posted February 6, 2008 Just strange they made it red and very large, stick out like dogs balls really, same with the old mans 330ci. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotwire 352 Report post Posted February 6, 2008 To my knowledge Jap spec cars use this for IR remote control, other world market cars use RF frequency so dont have this. My Jap 99 car has the same but is auto dim so has no switch on it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
camera doctor 25 Report post Posted February 6, 2008 Actually Cain....I lied The "O" is for ordinary people The "I" is for idiots who don't read owner manuals... or even own one I do have two owners manuals - NZ one that doesn't have this switch in it, and the Japanese one that is written in Japanese of course, that I can't read! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
*Glenn* 854 Report post Posted February 6, 2008 Actually Cain....I lied The "O" is for ordinary people The "I" is for idiots who don't read owner manuals... or even own one I wasnt trying to be offencive... was just joking Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hybrid 1043 Report post Posted February 6, 2008 does your key have a small LED style 'bulb' next to the key shaft ? .. you have the IR remote ... if not you have the radio remote and a replacement IR mirror. in e46's for e.g this changed in 02 onwards. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
camera doctor 25 Report post Posted February 6, 2008 does your key have a small LED style 'bulb' next to the key shaft ? .. you have the IR remote ... if not you have the radio remote and a replacement IR mirror. in e46's for e.g this changed in 02 onwards. Yep, I'm pretty sure my remote is IR as it does have a IR LED in the Fob and it only works if I point the key directly at the window. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
