2001 X5 Tail Light Retrofit - Adapters?

[4MoJoe]

I bought some sport rear tail lights off eBay - parts are OEM but when they are connected the bottom 2 red lights do not work the same as they did with the amber lenses. The middle is super bright - like the brake is on and bottom one doesn't light up.

Here is the eBay auction I won.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...9314533&rd=1,1

I've done some searching and found mention of an Adapter Cable. Is there such a part that is needed for this?

Or do I need an updated Light Control Module to run them?

[asawadude]

Look at the front page under Lights, article 20. The complete BMW retrofit instructions can be found there.

[4MoJoe]

Thanks, I've read that - however it doesn't give the part numbers for the adapters. And according to those directions it seems it doesn't need them. But the lighting still doesn't work correctly so maybe it is the LCM... ???

[Bostonblux5]

I did the upgrade, I didn't use any adapters, the upper red section is a bit brighter but the lower section does light up on mine, turn your lights on and try to adjust the bulb sockets until they light up... it took me a while, they have to be in there perfectly and they are very fussy.

[adamt]

Originally Posted by 4MoJoe

I bought some sport rear tail lights off eBay - parts are OEM but when they are connected the bottom 2 red lights do not work the same as they did with the amber lenses. The middle is super bright - like the brake is on and bottom one doesn't light up.

Here is the eBay auction I won.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...9314533&rd=1,1

I've done some searching and found mention of an Adapter Cable. Is there such a part that is needed for this?

Or do I need an updated Light Control Module to run them?

4MoJoe were you able to solve this problem. I have upgraded my taillights and got identical issue with bottom section. Did you ended up buying adapters as instruction says or found other way to work around this problem?

[4MoJoe]

Nope, I'm still working on it. I asked Morristown BMW (sent e-mail to them) about those adapters and never heard back. My thought now is to try and find some wiring diagrams of 2004 taillights & connectors (since this is what I bought) and compare to mine 2001. I think there is something with that. I also am going to pull one of the old ones and compare the setup to the new. I've done searching on this site and not found anything yet that appears to help.

So I'll keep you posted on what progress I make. (AUGH)

[Davud]

Originally Posted by Bostonblux5

I did the upgrade, I didn't use any adapters, the upper red section is a bit brighter but the lower section does light up on mine

Same situation here mate...but it shouldn't be like that...as I have noticed that upper section and bottom one should lighting at the same power...but why it's happened with us then? When I bought the Taillights there were adaptor cables (for 2002-2005)...i have tried with and without these cables...with was really mess (bottom red light didn't work at all, turn light wasn't working)...Anybody can help us here to find the solution?

[Morristown BMW]

i don't see any kind of adapter. As far as i can see you can just swap the lights out. i see from the auction that you bought these from that they are used lights so maybe that has something to do with them not working properly.

[adamt]

Here is sort of a solution that I found:
By mapping car wires to the corresponding function of the lamp, I switched two connectors – middle section to the bottom and vice versa. Now both sections light up, however, the bottom one is lighter anyway, and middle becomes brighter when the brake is on.
Here is the mapping:
Left:
1-blank
2-negative
3-middle
4-turn
5-buttom
6-blank
Right:
1-blank
2-buttom
3-turn
4-middle
5-negative
6-blank
So I switched 3 and 5 on the Left side and 2 and 4 on the Right.
The process is very simple, the plug has a white cap that is easy removable with small flat head screwdriver, then when connectors are visible, light press on the top and pull will release them.


Telling the true it is mystery for me why more power goes to one of the sockets, it is not like some sort of computer chip is built-in into the connector or high power bulb is installed – wires and zinc connector plate is identical as on my old type of taillights.
Anyway, I personally believe that lighter bottom section looks more attractive. Reminds me rear fog lights on my Mercedes.

---

Last edited by adamt; 03-05-2007 at 11:40 AM.

[Davud]

Originally Posted by adamt

Here is sort of a solution that I found:
By mapping car wires to the corresponding function of the lamp, I switched two connectors – middle section to the bottom and vice versa. Now both sections light up, however, the bottom one is lighter anyway, and middle becomes brighter when the brake is on.
Here is the mapping:
Left:
1-blank
2-negative
3-middle
4-turn
5-buttom
6-blank
Right:
1-blank
2-buttom
3-turn
4-middle
5-negative
6-blank

So I switched 3 and 5 on the Left side and 2 and 4 on the Right.
The process is very simple, the plug has a white cap that is easy removable with small flat head screwdriver, then when connectors are visible, light press on the top and pull will release them.


Telling the true it is mystery for me why more power goes to one of the sockets, it is not like some sort of computer chip is built-in into the connector or high power bulb is installed – wires and zinc connector plate is identical as on my old type of taillights.
Anyway, I personally believe that lighter bottom section looks more attractive. Reminds me rear fog lights on my Mercedes.

Adamt,
Good option offered, but...I like everything custom especially in electrical issues...noted with other X5s the following:
1. both are mild lighting, when brakes on - only bottom one become lighter.
2. both are mild lighting, when brakes on - both are become lighter.

Very interesting to know which is the CUSTOM one?

By the way for a time being while I haven't got an answers, I have changed the middle bulbes for the smaller ones (OSRAM, 5W, 12V)...now both (bottom & middle) are almost the same tone...