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Subject: Quad rear brake lights - OE-style apporach for this mod ! Author: zigor911 : member since February, 2004 : 2010 posts Posted on: 2005-04-22 13:49:36

This not a new mod - a few folks have done it, and there are links from e38.org to the sites that go over details on this mod.

The approach I took does NOT require removal of rear lights, and yet it's a OE-style solution. I found that connector terminal (with pins) on the rear light module had a pin for rear fog light, and since USA models didn't come with rear fog lights installed, that pin was unused, and all I needed to tap into brake light wire, and connect it to the fog light pin.

It took me less than 20 min to complete both sides.

Parts needed (from friendly BMW dealer near you):
*2 bulb sockets, BMW p/n 63218381244 ($6.40 ea)
*2 socket (female) contacts, BMW p/n 61131376202 ($1.30 ea)

Here's photo of the dummy plugs removed from the rear fog lights sockets, and the socket (female) contact:




Here's the photo of the passenger side terminal (with pins) connector (plug with wires removed). Fog light pin is the last pin in the second column (pin #3 on RHS, and #7 on LHS). Brake light pin is exactly in the same position but in the first column (right across - pin #7 on RHS, and #3 on LHS). I was very tempted to short those 2 but the plug connector would not fit well if I were to do that.




Here's the photo of the plug connector with sockets (female) contacts.
The contact I've installed is the last one in the bottom raw. In order to install the contact I had to unlock and remove the inner plastic body (wires go though it) from the plug. There are 4 tabs (2 on each side, at the top) that needs to be released, the inner body part slides out over wires, then you can insert the contact, fish the wire through inner body, and lock it back in (that's how these contacts secured in place in addition to the locks they already have)



Here's photo of the bulb socket installed in fog light opening.





Now, drivers driving behind me will see even more RED lights when I press brake pedal, and hopefully press on their brakes just in time... to avoid rear-end colision

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My 10/2000 "Silver Bullet" : MK3 with v24 [SPLIT SCREEN], BLUETOOTH, IPOD with ICE>LINK+,

MUD FLAPS, SUNROOF DEFLECTOR, CHROME MIRROR COVERS with LIGHTS, QUAD BRAKE LIGHTS

Xenon, PDC, S_EDC and Self-Leveling Rear Suspension, Active Comfort Heated Front Seats, Rear Sun Shades, Power Folding Auto Dimming Mirrors

• Quad rear brake lights - OE-style apporach for this mod ! (pic) - zigor911 2005-04-22 13:49:36 (5367 views)
  • Nice job, zigor911! For those of us that bought clear - sealbeach740 2005-04-22 14:02:33 (460 views)
    • and you don't have to do anything if you have to replace broken tail light - zigor911 2005-04-22 14:43:55 (456 views)