Shinobi BMW
My Lighted Z8 Start Button

Lighted Z8 Start Button

The Parts

  • Z8 START BUTTON (see Figure 1)
    I purchased the part from a guy named "Kosta" on the message boards. I haven't communicated with him in awhile, but here's his email address: E36kk318@aol.com. This kit includes the button itself, plus all the necessary wiring. I paid $140 for it. You can acquire the Z8 button itself for $120. Part number 61 318 377 343. This was posted, but I haven't confirmed. If you go this route, you'll have to do your own pre-wiring.

  • IGNITION RING
    This piece is the ignition lamp assembly for a 2001 Toyota Camry . The part can be purchased at any Toyota dealership for $60.00. The part number is 81870-41020 and it includes the assembly, light and wiring.

  • BLACK TRIM
    Literally, this little piece came from my manager's desk. Its the protective piece for the holes where you put wires through. Sitting in his office, I wasn't paying attention to him. He asked me what I was staring at, and I said "You know, I think this is exactly what I need." It cost nothing of course.

  • WIRE TAPS
    Picked some up at Home Depot for a couple of bucks. You'll need this to tap into the ignition wiring under the steering column.

  • WIRE CONNECTORS
    I needed these to extend the wiring for the ashtray light, which is what I use to light my button. Same here - coupla bucks from Home Depot.

Tools I Used
A drill, a circular saw, a dremel-type tool, electrical tape, wire-stripper, wire-crimper, flat-head screwdriver, my Swiss Army Knife, and a small torque wrench.

Figure 1


Figure 2

Preparing The Button
Look at the picture up in Figure 1 - notice all those angles and edges BEHIND the button? Well, I needed to slide this button inside the plastic ring. So I used my Swiss Army Knife to cut things down a bit and make it smooth. Next, I had to use my Dremel on the plastic assembly to bore a hole big enough for the rear of the button to fit in. That is to say, that everything behind the chrome button trim would fit, but not the trim itself. Here's what I mean. I don't have a pic of the plastic assembly before I cut it, but there is a good piece of it that has to be cut off. That extended plastic piece on top is where the lightbulb would fit it. The bulb hits a piece that then reflects the light around the whole thing.

Figure 3

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