What does this button do? (e24) - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

louv · 14th May 2002, 04:36

I just bought an e24 M635CSi

There is a button on the dash that I have no idea what it does. It is low on the dash, under the Check panel, halfway between the steering column and the driver's door. The graphic looks like a tall rectangle, with two arrows, one pointing left, and the other pointing right. I couldn't find any mention of it in the owner's manual. I feel silly not knowing what it is.

Quote from the previous owner (who bought the car NEW!)
"I never did figure it out either, but stopped feeling silly about it after a
couple of years."

Any ideas folks?

(I'm assuming anyone actually reads this forum)

alpinadvl · 14th May 2002, 08:05

just a guess....is it a circuit breaker reset switch?.......all those electronics in the 8 series......

guess the new 7 hits its own switch 20 times a day!....

Andy G · 14th May 2002, 10:44

external mirror adjusters?
do you have heated seat? could be a switch for those?

Gustav · 14th May 2002, 10:56

A picture says more than 1000 words

louv · 14th May 2002, 17:46

I can't post a picture.

The 6-Beast is in the shop!

It's not for the heated seats (It has those, but they need repair, and those controls are in the center console)

I don't think they are for the mirrors. Those controls are on the door handle.

I'll post a picture in a few days when I get the car back.

Ferrari-Bmw · 14th May 2002, 20:58

I think it could be a ligth-regulator <<< to point the beam down if
the car is loaded>>>>>>>>>>

louv · 14th May 2002, 21:05

Ferrari-BMW,

Thanks. I don't think that's it. American cars don't have that control. Rental cars I've had in Europe had that, so I know what control you are referring to.

I should have a picture of it to post by tonight...

JetBoy · 15th May 2002, 00:32

Hmmm, I think I remenber that button from a M5 E28...two white arrows in this position: --><--

Guess what ? I think it was for the electric windows. When it is pressed and the window is closing if you try to stop the window with your hand it will stop. If it is not pressed the window won't stop and will
a) hurt your hand
b) burn the electric engine of the window.

Andy G · 15th May 2002, 10:42

Cut your hand off completely I would imagine.
Could it be the circuit breaker for the electric windows? Our E30 has this, press it and it prevents use of the electric windows, press it again, bingo, windows can be used again? (although I have seen this by the gearstick, and not where you state it is!) Clutching at straws I know.

alpinadvl · 15th May 2002, 16:53

MAYBE.......

it is a button installed by the last "good" designers of BMW cars

.....
that will AUTOMATICALLY shock some sense into CHRIS BANGLE whenever it is pressed!!! So exclusive it was only found on the FLAGSHIP BMW model of the time!!!!

So...just my advice....I would press that button as many times a day as you can!!!!!!

<----bangle