SOS button - reassign??

[Matticus91]

For those of us not interested in using the BMW Assist functions - has anyone tried/heard of reassigning the "SOS" button in the upper button cluster?

This is going to sound silly I'm sure but it's a pretty neat thing, with the "safety" cover and secondary switch inside. I feel like it could be used for something cool rather than just be a dead spot in the car once the BMW Assist subscription runs out. I'd like to maybe set it up to control my electric exhaust cutout.

Anyone know if you can disconnect the actual switch mechanism inside of the button and just put something else behind it? I've never taken that upper console apart.

[rominun]

Originally Posted by Matticus91

For those of us not interested in using the BMW Assist functions - has anyone tried/heard of reassigning the "SOS" button in the upper button cluster?

This is going to sound silly I'm sure but it's a pretty neat thing, with the "safety" cover and secondary switch inside. I feel like it could be used for something cool rather than just be a dead spot in the car once the BMW Assist subscription runs out. I'd like to maybe set it up to control my electric exhaust cutout.

Anyone know if you can disconnect the actual switch mechanism inside of the button and just put something else behind it? I've never taken that upper console apart.

Let me know if you find out any info on this. Might want to do this to by exhaust cutout as well.

[doublevanosrc]

I'm sure its possible but gonna require some rewiring and patience. It is one hella of a thing though, looks like its a button for passenger seat ejection or self destruct.

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by rominun

Let me know if you find out any info on this. Might want to do this to by exhaust cutout as well.

There will be a project thread for sure if I do it haha

Originally Posted by doublevanosrc

I'm sure its possible but gonna require some rewiring and patience. It is one hella of a thing though, looks like its a button for passenger seat ejection or self destruct.

Yeah I imagine I'd have to gut the button, put the existing switch mechanics up in there and tape it off to avoid the errors, and then install my own switch plate behind the button. I actually made one of my friends super nervous threatening to push the button without explaining anything about what it does LOL.

[fast1eddy]

That's a great idea to repurpose that button. I think I'll reuse it for a garage door opener. I don't have a homelink mirror.

[Soterios]

Originally Posted by fast1eddy

That's a great idea to repurpose that button. I think I'll reuse it for a garage door opener. I don't have a homelink mirror.

I came here because I'm wanting to put my garage door button somewhere in the car was well and was thinking about using the SOS button.

I was hoping to find a blank replacement button.

I'm very handy with wiring/schematics/soldering, so I'm not worried about ripping into one.

I've been trying to find the button alone or the whole cluster. The clusters seem to only be like $50 or so on ebay. I just need to find a black one that fits a 2012.

Anyone happen to have those part numbers?

[JayPichardo]

Following

[Rikx1M]

Originally Posted by Soterios

I came here because I'm wanting to put my garage door button somewhere in the car was well and was thinking about using the SOS button.

I was hoping to find a blank replacement button.

I'm very handy with wiring/schematics/soldering, so I'm not worried about ripping into one.

I've been trying to find the button alone or the whole cluster. The clusters seem to only be like $50 or so on ebay. I just need to find a black one that fits a 2012.

Anyone happen to have those part numbers?

Paint the switch yellow and black...and label "pass eject"

[swunder]

Wow I had no idea it was a cool covered switch like this, thought it was just a button. Not sure what I'd ever reprogram it too but i'm interested!

[F13.KENN]

I wanna say the 128 parts car we have has the switch. If nobody has an answer to this by the next time im at my dads ill check it out and grab some pics if its there

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by Soterios

I came here because I'm wanting to put my garage door button somewhere in the car was well and was thinking about using the SOS button.

I was hoping to find a blank replacement button.

I'm very handy with wiring/schematics/soldering, so I'm not worried about ripping into one.

I've been trying to find the button alone or the whole cluster. The clusters seem to only be like $50 or so on ebay. I just need to find a black one that fits a 2012.

Anyone happen to have those part numbers?

You'd be better served by buying the rearview mirror with the homelink buttons which are guaranteed to be able to be programmed for your garage door opener. I think someone on this board actually did a retrofit and it worked fine.

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by zx10guy

You'd be better served by buying the rearview mirror with the homelink buttons which are guaranteed to be able to be programmed for your garage door opener. I think someone on this board actually did a retrofit and it worked fine.

Agreed and yes I remember seeing that project but don't know who it was

[blue135]

Just a suggestion if you are going to substitute a Home Link mirror & have a Liftmaster opener - Get one from a recent car.

My 2008 will not open my 2016 door without a receiver/adapter. Liftmaster even makes note of it in installation instructions. Does work with adapter, though.

[Soterios]

Originally Posted by zx10guy

You'd be better served by buying the rearview mirror with the homelink buttons which are guaranteed to be able to be programmed for your garage door opener. I think someone on this board actually did a retrofit and it worked fine.

I'll look those up I suppose, but tapping into the switch and sliding the circuit board from an existing opener in was the plan.

[asiflicious]

Get NOS for the sole purpose of using that button to activate it

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by asiflicious

Get NOS for the sole purpose of using that button to activate it

Now we're talkin'

[jrbuzaid]

Originally Posted by Soterios

I came here because I'm wanting to put my garage door button somewhere in the car was well and was thinking about using the SOS button.

I was hoping to find a blank replacement button.

I'm very handy with wiring/schematics/soldering, so I'm not worried about ripping into one.

I've been trying to find the button alone or the whole cluster. The clusters seem to only be like $50 or so on ebay. I just need to find a black one that fits a 2012.

Anyone happen to have those part numbers?

It is exactly my idea, in my cluster has no button, I was thinking in include a button to my garage, anyone did this?

[Soterios]

Originally Posted by jrbuzaid

It is exactly my idea, in my cluster has no button, I was thinking in include a button to my garage, anyone did this?

I ended up grabbing a homelink mirror from a junk yard car. I'll be trying to splice it in one of these days.

[dtla1]

So did anyone ever figure out how to reconfigure the button to something a bit more useful?

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by jrbuzaid

It is exactly my idea, in my cluster has no button, I was thinking in include a button to my garage, anyone did this?

Originally Posted by Soterios

I ended up grabbing a homelink mirror from a junk yard car. I'll be trying to splice it in one of these days.

Originally Posted by dtla1

So did anyone ever figure out how to reconfigure the button to something a bit more useful?

Only option is to remove it and completely rewire as the above guys suggested. No way to reprogram unfortunately.