OEM LED tail light question

sleeks · Wed, Dec-08-2010, 02:05:41 AM

Yes I did a search. Couldn't find a definitive answer.

Noticed on my car that a few LEDs are barely lit on the drivers side in the outer ring. Is my only option full tail light replacement?

mugenh22a4 · Wed, Dec-08-2010, 02:29:06 AM

Unless you're good at taking apart the taillight and removing and resoldering the individual LEDs, yes, your only option is to replace the unit.

sleeks · Wed, Dec-08-2010, 02:34:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mugenh22a4

Unless you're good at taking apart the taillight and removing and resoldering the individual LEDs, yes, your only option is to replace the unit.

Crap...figured as much. Off to getbmwparts I go

GRKM3 · Wed, Dec-08-2010, 02:42:17 AM

Damn, that sucks. Going to check mine now.

sleeks · Wed, Dec-08-2010, 02:47:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GRKM3

Damn, that sucks. Going to check mine now.

I would have never known except my wife was following me home tonight.

Mike V · Wed, Dec-08-2010, 04:47:21 AM

Did you do the DIY mod that turns on the outer ring when you brake?

kuksul08 · Wed, Dec-08-2010, 07:14:40 AM

It shouldn't be that hard to replace the LEDs. Try to disassemble the unit and find out what type they are, then go to digikey.

sleeks · Wed, Dec-08-2010, 03:38:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike V

Did you do the DIY mod that turns on the outer ring when you brake?

No. I checked the wiring and previous owner did not either. That pic is with the lights on and the outer ring lights up with the lights on. With the lights off, they don't light up when you are on the brake.

silbul · Wed, Dec-08-2010, 05:13:48 PM

I seem to recall from the sales brochure something about adaptive brake lights. IIRC, the adaptive lights meant that there were more lights/brighter lights under harder braking? Possibly what is happening here?

sleeks · Wed, Dec-08-2010, 05:52:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silbul

I seem to recall from the sales brochure something about adaptive brake lights. IIRC, the adaptive lights meant that there were more lights/brighter lights under harder braking? Possibly what is happening here?

Yes, it has adaptive brake lights, but the way I believe it works (I'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong) is as follows:

With the headlights on, the outer ring will be lit
With the headlights off, the outer ring is only lit when the adaptive brakes come in to play.

The other taillight had the full outer ring lit with the headlights on. This one has three dim LEDs.

Wed, Dec-08-2010, 02:05:41 AM	#1
sleeks Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,662 Reputation: 0 Location: Northern Suburbs/Chicago	OEM LED tail light question Yes I did a search. Couldn't find a definitive answer. Noticed on my car that a few LEDs are barely lit on the drivers side in the outer ring. Is my only option full tail light replacement? __________________ MY02 ///M3 - Steel Grey/Black I am on my third E46 M3....yes, I am crazy Gone: 03 Tiag/Black 04 Silver Grey/Black

Wed, Dec-08-2010, 02:29:06 AM	#2
mugenh22a4 เป็นคนจีน Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 7,404 Reputation: 0 Location: Seattle	Unless you're good at taking apart the taillight and removing and resoldering the individual LEDs, yes, your only option is to replace the unit. __________________ 2008 ISF, Smokey Granite Mica on Black

Wed, Dec-08-2010, 02:42:17 AM	#4
GRKM3 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,050 In the garage: '03 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Long Island, NY	Damn, that sucks. Going to check mine now. __________________ 2003 Steel Gray Metallic M3 - Imola Red Interior - SMGII - Premium - HK Sound - NAV - BT -Sirius Mods :VFE Stage 2 SC, SS Ceramic Coated Stepped Headers, S-Pipe, X-Pipe,TMS Subframe Reinforcement, KWV2 Coilovers, TMS Camber Plates, Powerflex RTAB's, Rogue RSM's, ZCP F/R Brakes, OEM CSL Roof, VCSL D/S Carbon Trunk, diffuser and bumper, Armrest Delete, carbon mirror shells, OEM LED tail lights, BBS CH, Alcantara steering wheel, Armrest delete, Valentine V1, Laser Interceptor... 5D Mark III \| 24-70 2.8 IIL \| 17-40 4L \| 50 1.8II \| 580EXII

Wed, Dec-08-2010, 07:14:40 AM	#7
kuksul08 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,860 Reputation: 0 Location: CA	It shouldn't be that hard to replace the LEDs. Try to disassemble the unit and find out what type they are, then go to digikey. __________________ ~Mods~: High Flow Carbon Fiber Strut Pipe Trim, Custom Aero DME Shift Linkage, Forged Titanium Race-Euro-Spec Illuminated Diff Sleeves, Catless Dog CSL Retrofit, Mod Bug Delete & More S54 Valve Adjustment DIY, Excel, Print out: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/28231781/S54...ent%20info.zip

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Wed, Dec-08-2010, 04:47:21 AM	#6
Mike V Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 230 Reputation: 0	Did you do the DIY mod that turns on the outer ring when you brake?

Wed, Dec-08-2010, 05:13:48 PM	#9
silbul Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 393 In the garage: '88 BMW M3 '02 BMW M3 Reputation: 0	I seem to recall from the sales brochure something about adaptive brake lights. IIRC, the adaptive lights meant that there were more lights/brighter lights under harder braking? Possibly what is happening here?