Bimmercode Ambient Lighting Brightness?

Vancouver_M440 · 04-07-2019, 05:05 AM

I see in the Bimmercode info that I could possibly code the brightness of the ambient lighting. I have the module but search around the different sections I couldn't see a section that had the setting. Anyone successfully do this? Would be great to be able to turn it up a few notches as I find the default value too dim even at max brightness on the dash brightness dial.

TLK · 04-07-2019, 02:52 PM

I investigated this using esys a few weeks ago. I have a post-LCI '14 with the "classic" and "modern" light color choices. My interest is in boosting the door ambient lighting since it is nearly invisible against the dark leather panels. Also my preference is the orange "classic" ambient color choice.

The most that can be done is to alter the relationship between the dashboard brightness knob and the overall ambient brightness. For example you can limit how bright the full on setting will be, or how low it will get. The latter is somewhat useful, if you want to make the ambient full bright regardless of the knob setting (the instrument cluster continues to bright and dim according to the knob position). There are some other parameters that alter the PWM step function but I did not get much beneficial behavior playing with these.

In no case was it possible to get the ambient to go any brighter than it already does when on max dial setting. With the orange color there is just a single LED, so no mixing and it's PWM value is on at 100%. Not positive about the white color but I think it also the same (I'm not in my home area right now and can't check the files)

I have bought a set of door panel emitters with the intention of changing the resistors to make them brighter but as part of my recent coding experiments I sat in the car in a dark garage and played with the brightness control and don't really think that increasing the LED brightness will make much difference against the all black leather interior. Against silverstone, yes. So I probably will not bother to try modifying the emitters. Also I'm pretty happy with brightness of the overhead ambient as-is and don't plan to try to modify those.

Vancouver_M440 · 04-07-2019, 05:47 PM

Sounds like with my older pre LCI car I'm SOL. Not going to bother than. I did try changing the pitch of the alarm confirmation sound. Going lower didn't sound much different but higher was obviously different. Its a bit shrill though so I'm not sure I like it.

04-07-2019, 05:05 AM	#1
Vancouver_M440 First Lieutenant 160 Rep 327 Posts Drives: 2012 M5 Sedan Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Vancouver BC iTrader: (0)	Bimmercode Ambient Lighting Brightness? I see in the Bimmercode info that I could possibly code the brightness of the ambient lighting. I have the module but search around the different sections I couldn't see a section that had the setting. Anyone successfully do this? Would be great to be able to turn it up a few notches as I find the default value too dim even at max brightness on the dash brightness dial.
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04-07-2019, 02:52 PM	#2
TLK First Lieutenant 112 Rep 385 Posts Drives: '14 M5 CP, '12 550i, '04 545i Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: SF Bay, CA iTrader: (0)	I investigated this using esys a few weeks ago. I have a post-LCI '14 with the "classic" and "modern" light color choices. My interest is in boosting the door ambient lighting since it is nearly invisible against the dark leather panels. Also my preference is the orange "classic" ambient color choice. The most that can be done is to alter the relationship between the dashboard brightness knob and the overall ambient brightness. For example you can limit how bright the full on setting will be, or how low it will get. The latter is somewhat useful, if you want to make the ambient full bright regardless of the knob setting (the instrument cluster continues to bright and dim according to the knob position). There are some other parameters that alter the PWM step function but I did not get much beneficial behavior playing with these. In no case was it possible to get the ambient to go any brighter than it already does when on max dial setting. With the orange color there is just a single LED, so no mixing and it's PWM value is on at 100%. Not positive about the white color but I think it also the same (I'm not in my home area right now and can't check the files) I have bought a set of door panel emitters with the intention of changing the resistors to make them brighter but as part of my recent coding experiments I sat in the car in a dark garage and played with the brightness control and don't really think that increasing the LED brightness will make much difference against the all black leather interior. Against silverstone, yes. So I probably will not bother to try modifying the emitters. Also I'm pretty happy with brightness of the overhead ambient as-is and don't plan to try to modify those.
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04-07-2019, 05:47 PM	#3
Vancouver_M440 First Lieutenant 160 Rep 327 Posts Drives: 2012 M5 Sedan Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Vancouver BC iTrader: (0)	Sounds like with my older pre LCI car I'm SOL. Not going to bother than. I did try changing the pitch of the alarm confirmation sound. Going lower didn't sound much different but higher was obviously different. Its a bit shrill though so I'm not sure I like it.
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