It was found possible to purchase an illuminated "Universal Manual Shift Knob" on eBay for $12.75 delivered price ( !!! ) from the seller "affordableonly" ( www.icebeamer.com ) . The eBay compatibility table provided indicated which BMWs might work, but the table only goes back to 1999. When using the "look up compatibility" function, the inquiry for 1992 is shown to be "not compatible". This is not accurate as it was confirmed to fit perfectly with both the 1992 325i and 1993 318is that I am converting to EVs. What makes this device remarkable is that it does not require any wiring changes to the car. The batteries are part of the knob and simply pressing the shift tab turns on the device. Going forward it may be desired to remove the batteries and run wires down the side of the shift knob shaft to an ignition switch controlled 5 volt supply.
DSC05401 of the exploded view of the components. Note that several buttons (left) were provided to allow for different transmission types. The buttons rest on a clear plastic circle that sits on top of the black control button in the center of the PC board. Pressing the button activates the light. The hex wrench sets a screw to secure the knob to the shift knob shaft and the black plastic bushing inserts (center bottom) allow for different shaft diameters. The body of the knob (far right) is threaded so that the knob face (far left) can be unscrewed for replacement of the batteries.
Picture DSC05403 showing the top side of the PC board with the three blue LEDs. The center black rod is the on/blink/off control button.
DSC05404 showing the bottom of the device where it is powered with two 3V Lithium batteries (type CR2032). The red insulator prevents contact with the Aluminum body of the shift knob.
DSC05396 showing the shaft that supports the shift knob. This shaft is solid and 14 mm in diameter. This diameter is exactly the correct diameter to fit directly into the base of the illuminated shift knob without using any of the plastic inserts that were provided. To connect an external power source to an illuminated knob might require some machine work, possibly a groove on the side of the shaft, or a hole down the center of the shaft. Alternatively, some commercial illuminated shift knobs rely upon the leather boot to cover up the wires as they exit from the shift knob base. Or, if the boot leather does not adequately hide the wires, a piece of black heat shrink PVC tubing might be used over the shaft such that the knob wires pass within the PVC tube. After shrinking the PVC, the wires would both be firmly held and hidden from view.
DSC05395 of the original shift knob in the BMW 318is.
DSC05397 of substituted shift knob. The six screws on the knob face can be removed, but they are only decorative.
DSC05400 of knob when illuminated. Very Nice!
