For those who have patiently waited....here's what I did to install the OEM BMW Garage Door Opener in the Sunroof Panel:
Step 1: Begin by ordering the BMW Z3 Universal Remote Control. It comes with the required wiring harness as our cars are not prewired. The 3/5-series versions do not come with the wiring harness as it's already in the headliner.
The wiring harness (pictured below) has 3 wires. The 2 outer ones (white and black) are power and ground respectively. The middle white wire is the 'night illumination' wire. It is looped/connected to the other white wire (for constant illumination?). Begin by cutting this link as close as possible to the power white (as pictured). Then take the supplied white wire (not shown) and extend this cut white wire to a length equal to the other 2.
Step 2:
Remove the sunroof access panel by carefully pulling the edges inward until the clips free themselves. You may wish to remove the light bar as well for greater access. Locate wires for power and ground. I used the ones for the vanity mirror light as they were readily accessible running across the top of the windshield. The violet wire with the white stripe is the power. Connect this to the white wire (as shown). The brown wire is the ground. Connect this to the black wire from the harness (as shown).
Step 3:
Connect the extended middle white wire (from step 1) to a 'night illumination' power source. I used the grey wire with a black stripe from the sunroof switch (as shown).
Step 4:
Neatly wrap all the wiring with black friction tape to provide the necessary OEM look.
Step 5:
Measure, mark, scribe and cut the hard plastic side of the sunroof access panel being carefull not to penetrate the fabric portion. A cutting disc works best. Finally, the fabric is sliced from one corner of the cut to the other and folded inwards.
Step 6:
Folding the fabric inwards, insert and adjust the universal remote to ensure proper fit and alignment.
Step 7:
The plastic access panel is too thin to adequately secure the locking tabs on the unit. The areas underneath the locking tabs will need to be built up.
Step 7 (cont):
Close-up of JB Weld mounts used to allow for complete locking in of the universal remote into the access panel.
Step 8:
Due to the complete lack of space in the sunroof motor area, I found it absolutely necessary to remove down the top plastic of the unit by carefully grinding it down along the sides. Carefully remove and retain the adhesive foam pad. Note: If this step is omitted, the tranmitter will bulge the access panel severely, result in broken clips and look unsightly.
Step 9:
Replace the foam pad in it's original location.
Step 10: Make the connections to the sunroof switch and universal remote. Note: This illustration is prior to removal of top plastic of the transmitter (step 9).
Step 11:
Carefully snap the panel back in as well as the cabin light and check operation off all the switches and program the universal remote. Directions are included with the unit
Dr. T 03/15/2005
