E86 trunk light switch location

lanoipat · 08-13-2023, 08:08 PM

I am trying to locate the trunk light switch on my E86 but don't see anything to turn off the light when trunk door is shut .
I would like to keep the trunk open an inch when not using the car so I can run the cable for the battery tender .
Anyone knows ?

pungo · 08-13-2023, 08:38 PM

I think it's part of the hatch latch. I hardwired from the engine bay to a connector behind the kidney grill where I can reach in with a finger and fish it out to plug in the battery charger/maintainer.
I believe the light will turn off on its own if the hatch is not shut within a certain amount of time (15-30 minutes).

maupineda · 08-13-2023, 10:34 PM

Correct, light will go off after a while so is not a problem

bosstones · 08-14-2023, 07:49 AM

If you use the jump points under the hood, you can fish the cord out between the hood and DS headlight assembly and close the hood with no issues. Or at least I can on my Moupe. That's what I do every winter.

3798j · 08-14-2023, 08:20 AM

I've got my battery maintainer hardwired under the hood and exiting at the base of the windshield...a spot that's most convenient in my garage.

lanoipat · 08-14-2023, 11:09 AM

Thank you all .
I thought about using the connection under the hood but I have a 110v plug for the tender next to the rear hatch .
If the light goes off after a while ,I am find with it . I think I waited over 5min and light was still on so I removed the bulb . I will try again .

08-13-2023, 08:08 PM	#1
lanoipat New Member 3 Rep 25 Posts Drives: BMW Z4 E86 Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Cali iTrader: (0)	E86 trunk light switch location I am trying to locate the trunk light switch on my E86 but don't see anything to turn off the light when trunk door is shut . I would like to keep the trunk open an inch when not using the car so I can run the cable for the battery tender . Anyone knows ?
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08-13-2023, 08:38 PM	#2
pungo Colonel 880 Rep 2,547 Posts Drives: Z4MC-X3-35i-525i, Corrado G60 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (5) Garage List 2011 BMW X3 x35i [0.00] 2001 BMW 525i [0.00] 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe [8.76]	I think it's part of the hatch latch. I hardwired from the engine bay to a connector behind the kidney grill where I can reach in with a finger and fish it out to plug in the battery charger/maintainer. I believe the light will turn off on its own if the hatch is not shut within a certain amount of time (15-30 minutes).
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08-13-2023, 10:34 PM	#3
maupineda Captain 456 Rep 975 Posts Drives: E86 Z4MC Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Detroit, MI iTrader: (3)	Correct, light will go off after a while so is not a problem
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08-14-2023, 07:49 AM	#4
bosstones Lieutenant Colonel 1154 Rep 1,543 Posts Drives: o_0 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Suburbia iTrader: (0)	If you use the jump points under the hood, you can fish the cord out between the hood and DS headlight assembly and close the hood with no issues. Or at least I can on my Moupe. That's what I do every winter. __________________ - Jeff bosstones' flickr
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08-14-2023, 08:20 AM	#5
3798j Lieutenant Colonel 11414 Rep 1,795 Posts Drives: E86 3.0si Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Susquehanna Valley iTrader: (0) Garage List '55 Ford F100 [0.00] '08 Z4 3.0SI [8.50] '66 Triumph TR4A [0.00] '85 Corvette [0.00] '64 Corvette [0.00] '68 Triumph GT6 [0.00] '19 VW Golf "R ... [0.00]	I've got my battery maintainer hardwired under the hood and exiting at the base of the windshield...a spot that's most convenient in my garage. Attached Images
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08-14-2023, 11:09 AM	#6
lanoipat New Member 3 Rep 25 Posts Drives: BMW Z4 E86 Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Cali iTrader: (0)	Thank you all . I thought about using the connection under the hood but I have a 110v plug for the tender next to the rear hatch . If the light goes off after a while ,I am find with it . I think I waited over 5min and light was still on so I removed the bulb . I will try again .
	Appreciate 0 Quote