Retrofitting the boot light

[detch]

Hey guys,
any hint how can I retrofit light in my boot?
In general my Z4 is not equipped with any additional lights (I only have empty holes :/) but the trunk one is the most annoying one.
I was considering buying a 12V LED light strip... but do you have any hints how to connect it maybe? Preferably so it's on only when the boot is open, but I hope it's not too much to ask

 

[enuff_zed]

Hey guys,
any hint how can I retrofit light in my boot?
In general my Z4 is not equipped with any additional lights (I only have empty holes :/) but the trunk one is the most annoying one.
I was considering buying a 12V LED light strip... but do you have any hints how to connect it maybe? Preferably so it's on only when the boot is open, but I hope it's not too much to ask

Hello. What model?
Does it have a hole in the carpet on the rear right corner?
Have you looked to see if there is a loom behind there?

 

[x-driver]

I thought every Z4 had a trunk light. It's the glove box that is without any light.
Check for wiring, if someone has taken out the light, the wiring should still be there.

Connecting a LED strip is easy, you only have 2 wires, a plus and a minus. What I did on mine was soldering the wires to the light's own connector and putting an additional connector on the wires so it's easier to remove everything if needed. If you can find some connector instead of the whole light, it would also be ok, you just won't have the original light there. I have both.

 

[ryushe]

See this thread for more info
Installed an LED strip myself, was super easy. And the light output is so much better...

 

[Zedebee]

I have had the benefit of an excellent installation done by [ref]Bigwinn[/ref].

 

[BumpyZ4]

I have the factory light but also installed an LED strip to add more light.

 

[enuff_zed]

OP is suggesting he has no lights installed.
All the answers seen to be relying on having the correct set up to turn the boot lights off when the lid closes.
There is a chance he may follow your suggestions and end up with a flat battery as i assume all your upgrades take a feed from the existing light?

 

[x-driver]

Why would the light stay on? :?

 

[enuff_zed]

Why would the light stay on? :?

Because there may be no switch to turn it off if the car wasn’t equipped with interior lights

 

[x-driver]

But is it even possible for this car to be originally without boot light? I know there isn't one in the glove box, but the boot? He said he has an empty hole where the light should be. I really doubt this is original...

@detch, have you checked for existing wires behind the cover already?

 

[enuff_zed]

But is it even possible for this car to be originally without boot light? I know there isn't one in the glove box, but the boot? He said he has an empty hole where the light should be. I really doubt this is original...

@detch, have you checked for existing wires behind the cover already?

Yes that was the first thing I asked too

 

[detch]

Sorry for the late response. There has been a development.

So - I assumed that because I didn't find the light - there was no light as I don't have the internal lighting at all.
But no, i noticed a hole in the carpet and a cable behind. I ordered the cover with the bulb and installed. It works just fine! It's even turning off when I close the boot!

HOWEVER. Today I noticed that my battery is flat, totally dead. The car couldn't even open the central locking.
Now... because it's a old BMW I expect the worst.

Maybe the battery was old (the car was standing outside in below zero temperatures)
Or maybe there was a reason someone removed the lighting in the boot.
Any clues or hints how to investigate?

 

[x-driver]

To investigate: open the boot, lock it opened with a screwdriver, wait 15 min so the car goes to sleep and then try to measure if there is any current on the light connector.