[zipphreak]

So you just participated in the P3 group buy and now you got one of these babies... But it's too damn bright at night and you want it to DIM automatically when your headlights are on.



Remove the top panel, where you installed the P3 Gauge in the air vent.




Next, unclip the top portion of the lower knee panel, carefully. Then separate the top clip on the kick-panel, this gives just enough clearance to do this procedure. (For this pull backwards towards the rear of the care gently)














Get your grubby fingers behind that Trunk release button and push it out of the kick-panel. Remove the tiny connector from the trunk button, and set it aside for now. You may want to re-install this later



You did purchase some RED T-TAP Connectors right?

Take your red T-TAP connector, and put it over the GRAY/RED wire. Hold it firmly on the wire, then crimp it using pliers. This will cause the metal in the T-TAP to bite into that wire.

Press the P3 Dimmer/Green wire w/ the Male spade connector in the back of the T-TAP. But make sure it goes all the way in No that is not what she said....

If your curious, the GRAY/RED wire goes HOT (12v) when headlights come on, and 0v when off. You could use a multimeter to confirm if you suspect any problems.







Here's a shot from underneath near the ODBII connector, where the wire routes. The wire routing is a little tedious but take your time, and try not to cut yourself.




The following photo's were taken with my flash off to illustrate the effect of brightness


Here's the Headlights set to Auto and turned on, Dimmed Gauge




Here's the Headlights set to off, and your Bright-ass Gauge

[ska///235i]

Good stuff...so all you have to do is tap 1 wire to have dim

[zipphreak]

Bam that's it, it's just that easy. That wire goes high (12v) when headlights turn on..

Also you do have to go into the P3 Config Mode and enable this.

1. Hold both buttons until conf appears
2. Right Button scrolls through Config options until DIM appears
3. Left Button Changes Setting, stop when DIM -On A
4. Hold Right Button to Save and Exit Conf Mode

[ska///235i]

Any idea if I dont enable dim if the lights are too bright

[Anderw]

so by saying , if you want it to dim automatically , does that mean you can make it dim manually every time you want it to be without doing anything?

[zipphreak]

The LED brightness at night is far brighter than the rest of the interior. You will see when you install it.

You can manually set DIM in CONF menu, but I am lazy and anything automatic is better

http://p3cars.com/content/pdf/bmw-config.pdf

[TTBear]

Awesome DIY write up!! Thanks!

Hilarious, too, which is always a big plus.

I'll definitely be doing this at the same time as I install the gauge.


Cheers!!!

[zipphreak]

No problem, I hope everyone get's some use out of this. It's really pretty easy, 30 minutes or so.