How Do I use the Multi-Button Steering Wheel in my ZCP?

[Mr. Wolfe]

Hi all, quick question. I bought a multi-button steering wheel a few years back and never wired it to work with my ZCP. I also bought an M5 stalk to have the extra button to wire in M-Track mode. There used to be directions on the old forum on how to do all of this, but that is lost. Does anyone have information on this?? Thanks!

Mr. Wolfe

[DoubleSidedTape]

I did this a few months ago. You need the retrofit cable set: 61120016012, its available from FCP and probably lots of other places.

I followed this guide to wire in the multifunction part of the steering wheel: https://www.e46fanatics.com/threads/...-wheel.544160/

I just used t-taps to connect the two wires from the LCM to the steering wheel so I didn't have to cut any original wires. The third wire plugs into an open port on the DME. This link describes the places where each wire connects to: https://www.car-auto-repair.com/bmw-...etrofit-guide/

For the M-Track mode, there will be a wire that is already in pin 8 on the steering wheel clockspring. You need to move that wire to the plug that attaches to the wiper stalk. I don't remember off the top of my head which pin that needs to go into on that connector, but you can probably figure it out by looking at which pins are used on your new wiper stalk and which spaces are empty on the existing connector.

[Mr. Wolfe]

I did this a few months ago. You need the retrofit cable set: 61120016012, its available from FCP and probably lots of other places.

I followed this guide to wire in the multifunction part of the steering wheel: https://www.e46fanatics.com/threads/...-wheel.544160/

I just used t-taps to connect the two wires from the LCM to the steering wheel so I didn't have to cut any original wires. The third wire plugs into an open port on the DME. This link describes the places where each wire connects to: https://www.car-auto-repair.com/bmw-...etrofit-guide/

For the M-Track mode, there will be a wire that is already in pin 8 on the steering wheel clockspring. You need to move that wire to the plug that attaches to the wiper stalk. I don't remember off the top of my head which pin that needs to go into on that connector, but you can probably figure it out by looking at which pins are used on your new wiper stalk and which spaces are empty on the existing connector.

Thank you very much, that's a great start! I think I have that cable set because I remember buying everything I needed at the time for the retrofit.

Mr. Wolfe

[Mr. Wolfe]

Screen Shot 2022-07-26 at 11.24.50 AM by Greg Wolfe, on Flickr

I went digging through my garage and I think I have everything for this conversion. I already have the multi-button wheel installed.
I am terrible whenever it comes to following wiring stuff. Step by step DIY, sure, that's easy. Any chance anyone has a step by step DIY on this conversion??

Mr. Wolfe

[scotty737]

I did this about five years ago. Pretty certain I used this video https://youtu.be/_A9BppTKAkY and this diy https://www.e46fanatics.com/threads/...-wheel.544160/. It was very easy to do overall. I think that for the stalk to work with the m button you just need to put the wire you removed for cruise control into the wiper stalk open connector.

[Mr. Wolfe]

I did this about five years ago. Pretty certain I used this video https://youtu.be/_A9BppTKAkY and this diy https://www.e46fanatics.com/threads/...-wheel.544160/. It was very easy to do overall. I think that for the stalk to work with the m button you just need to put the wire you removed for cruise control into the wiper stalk open connector.

The DIY keeps referencing a PDF file that I do not have. Ugh, this is frustrating. It is also showing him build some kind of custom cable that connects the buttons to the slipring.

Mr. Wolfe

[scotty737]

The DIY keeps referencing a PDF file that I do not have. Ugh, this is frustrating. It is also showing him build some kind of custom cable that connects the buttons to the slipring.

Mr. Wolfe

The PDF is in post 10. It is the bmw provided instructions. http://www.box.net/shared/0sb5rm740s . Also these “custom” cables are just because he had no buttons to start. It will be the same harness as your ZCP trim. I didn’t make and custom harness to connect the multifunction to my ZCP.

it looks more daunting than it is. It is very straightforward.

[Mr. Wolfe]

The PDF is in post 10. It is the bmw provided instructions. http://www.box.net/shared/0sb5rm740s . Also these “custom” cables are just because he had no buttons to start. It will be the same harness as your ZCP trim. I didn’t make and custom harness to connect the multifunction to my ZCP.

it looks more daunting than it is. It is very straightforward.

Thank you. I guess I will just dig in then. Appreciate the help.

Mr. Wolfe

[Mr. Wolfe]

The PDF is in post 10. It is the bmw provided instructions. http://www.box.net/shared/0sb5rm740s . Also these “custom” cables are just because he had no buttons to start. It will be the same harness as your ZCP trim. I didn’t make and custom harness to connect the multifunction to my ZCP.

it looks more daunting than it is. It is very straightforward.

Hmm, I just get a blank page whenever I click that link. I tried Firefox, Safari and Chrome.

Mr. Wolfe

[scotty737]

Hmm, I just get a blank page whenever I click that link. I tried Firefox, Safari and Chrome.

Mr. Wolfe

Works for me. Try opening it from the source on the E46Fanatics link posted above. If not, I can send it to you.

[DoubleSidedTape]

This page that I referenced in my post above has all the diagrams you need for the multifunction trim: https://www.car-auto-repair.com/bmw-...etrofit-guide/

[Mr. Wolfe]

Works for me. Try opening it from the source on the E46Fanatics link posted above. If not, I can send it to you.

I tried that as well. Would be great if you could email it to me. I will message you my address.

Mr. Wolfe

[Mr. Wolfe]

This page that I referenced in my post above has all the diagrams you need for the multifunction trim: https://www.car-auto-repair.com/bmw-...etrofit-guide/

The problem is, it seems to be wiring diagrams which I am an idiot whenever it comes to wiring.

Mr. Wolfe

[shibui]

Funnily enough, I want to do the opposite!

[repoman89]

Funnily enough, I want to do the opposite!

The PO did this to my car and I reversed it a year or two ago. Pretty simple 15 minute job to pull it all apart and get rid of the retrofit kit.

Aren't you selling the car OP? More buyers will want it original imo.