No more BMW turn signals

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

Ok, I got to ask. What EXACTLY is the issue with the turn signals? What is BMW turn signals? I've seen other threads with people complaining about them.

This sums it up

https://www.autotrader.com/car-news/...t%20originally.

No doubt you would get used to it in time but then every time you jump into another car...

[Sapphireho]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

This sums it up

https://www.autotrader.com/car-news/...t%20originally.

No doubt you would get used to it in time but then every time you jump into another car...

That sounds idiotic! This, from the article, is exactly how I would feel:

"But here’s my question: Turn signals have worked the same way for decades, and they’ve been totally fine. Why fix something that absolutely, certainly, unquestionably isn’t broken? And maybe more importantly, why fix it with something that’s counterintuitive?"

[CincyJohn]

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

Ok, I got to ask. What EXACTLY is the issue with the turn signals? What is BMW turn signals? I've seen other threads with people complaining about them.

It's a turn signal stalk that returns to center rather than staying in place when the turn signal is activated. It also can have a "three blink" lane change feature (which is active when you get the vehicle), which is indeed infuriating, but which also can be easily turned off through the head unit. Once turned off, it behaves almost identically to a "standard" turn signal.

[removedonut]

Originally Posted by CincyJohn

Whatever - just trying to figure out what was being gained.

I gained the mechanical feedback on my turn signal lever that I prefer, and lost 40 dollars and an hour of my time. The community gained the knowledge that this is something that is possible to do.
I have been doing auto electrical work for most of my adult life and spending a few minutes repinning a connector doesn’t really constitute a massive expenditure of time or effort on my part. 40 dollars is also less money than I made in the time it took to do this retrofit. That cost/benefit analysis may be different for you, but I mainly did this because I like doing things that haven’t been done before.

[CincyJohn]

Originally Posted by removedonut

I gained the mechanical feedback on my turn signal lever that I prefer, and lost 40 dollars and an hour of my time. The community gained the knowledge that this is something that is possible to do.
I have been doing auto electrical work for most of my adult life and spending a few minutes repinning a connector doesn’t really constitute a massive expenditure of time or effort on my part. 40 dollars is also less money than I made in the time it took to do this retrofit. That cost/benefit analysis may be different for you, but I mainly did this because I like doing things that haven’t been done before.

All good man.

As I said, you may have also solved the hyperblink problem (or not) - I honestly don't know. In fact, I am 100% sure you would be in a better position to answer that question than I would.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by removedonut

I gained the mechanical feedback on my turn signal lever that I prefer, and lost 40 dollars and an hour of my time. The community gained the knowledge that this is something that is possible to do.
I have been doing auto electrical work for most of my adult life and spending a few minutes repinning a connector doesn’t really constitute a massive expenditure of time or effort on my part. 40 dollars is also less money than I made in the time it took to do this retrofit. That cost/benefit analysis may be different for you, but I mainly did this because I like doing things that haven’t been done before.

I would do this in a New York minute, and I love the sentiment. Why bother with the frustration of getting used to something irritating when it can simply be eliminated?


10/10, sir!

[BlkTrax]

Originally Posted by removedonut

The video is only 15 seconds

This adds actual mechanical retention to the turn signals. When you activate the turn signal, it now physically clicks into place. In stock form, the stalk would instead return to center and you would have to push it in the other direction to cancel.

So just for some mechanical clarification.

All that is needed is the Headlight switch itself from a 17-20.

But your saying no other parts are needed ; that the physical contact to trip the switch back off (neutral) still exists on the current 2022 roll connector/steering shaft?

[removedonut]

Originally Posted by BlkTrax

So just for some mechanical clarification.

All that is needed is the Headlight switch itself from a 17-20.

But your saying no other parts are needed ; that the physical contact to trip the switch back off (neutral) still exists on the current 2022 roll connector/steering shaft?

Correct.

[trueno86power]

@removedonut

Thanks for this post! If someday I've own a 2nd gen 86, this would be the first mod on the list. I've tried the 2nd gen and this BMW stalk was driving me nuts.

[Spektyr]

I really like this idea.

I want to put the steering collar extension in my car, but it wasn't enough of an excuse to bother with pulling the whole steering wheel apart. This is a significant bump toward the "worth it" column if I'm doing both at the same time.

I'm not familiar with the specific parts so I'm not completely clear on what would be involved but this seems like it could be the sort of thing where a kit could be built for complete "plug and play" compatibility. That seems like the sort of thing that would sell pretty well (I'd be a buyer).

I don't hate the way the GR86 turn signal works. It's absolutely fine the way it is.

What I hate is that it's different than every other car I've ever owned or driven. "Hate" is probably a strong word, but...

[removedonut]

I have updated the post with some crude MS paint diagrams and some semi-vague disassembly info.

[removedonut]

Originally Posted by Spektyr

I'm not familiar with the specific parts so I'm not completely clear on what would be involved but this seems like it could be the sort of thing where a kit could be built for complete "plug and play" compatibility. That seems like the sort of thing that would sell pretty well (I'd be a buyer).

Maybe. Connectors and pins for engine harnesses are pretty easy to find, but i’ve struggled when trying to find the same for minor interior harnesses. But yes, if there’s a male and female 20 pin connector out there that matches these connectors then someone could for sure make a plug-in adapter for this rather than require a repin of the harness. Might look into that if I get bored.

[Sasquachulator]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

This sums it up

https://www.autotrader.com/car-news/...t%20originally.

No doubt you would get used to it in time but then every time you jump into another car...

On that note, I find it is more annoying swapping back and forth between an 86 and a BMW X1 where the wiper stalks activate opposite each other. I think it might be a german car vs japanese car thing.

In our 86 mist/single wipe is up, slow/intermittent/fast is down.
In our BMW X1 mist/single wipe is down, slow/fast is up (we have auto rain sensing in the place of intermittent...and it doesnt work properly half the time...the detection sometimes doesnt wipe my windshield until it is completely full of droplets and i cant see anything)

[timurrrr]

Thanks for finding and documenting a way to install the gen1 turn signal stalk with mechanical retention! Some will definitely appreciate it, and I'm sure you had fun figuring this out.

Personally I've been satisfied with the gen2 stalk in my GR86, especially after I turned off the 3-blink shortcut. If anything, now I want my daily (2016 Mazda 6) to have a "joystick" stalk, without mechanical retention. Interestingly, in my Mazda I actually like the 3-blink shortcut, but find it less useful in the GR86.