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Rear light cluster dim
- thecremeegg
- Member
- Posts: 733
- Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 11:43 am
- Location: North Hampshire
Rear light cluster dim
So I'm getting a bulb light on the dash and it seems to be caused by my rear driver side light cluster. All the lights work but they're really dim, and the wire that goes to them is getting quite warm.
Any ideas what could be causing this at all?
Any ideas what could be causing this at all?
- thecremeegg
- Member
- Posts: 733
- Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 11:43 am
- Location: North Hampshire
Rear light cluster dim
So I've taken the cluster off - seems that the earth pin has just rusted away.
Going on a google, seems the E46 had the same issue and it was solved by tapping into the earth cable and attaching it to a metal tab in the light. The Z4 doesn't have a tab so any ideas where I can earth it to?
Thanks!
Going on a google, seems the E46 had the same issue and it was solved by tapping into the earth cable and attaching it to a metal tab in the light. The Z4 doesn't have a tab so any ideas where I can earth it to?
Thanks!
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- Lifer
- Posts: 9529
- Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2015 9:09 am
- Location: South west Buckinghamshire
Rear light cluster dim
Can you not make a new earthing point into the structure ?
BMW Z4 30i 2003 auto 107's Whippy Toledo Blue
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
Mini 1000 1981
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
Mini 1000 1981
- thecremeegg
- Member
- Posts: 733
- Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 11:43 am
- Location: North Hampshire
Rear light cluster dim
I'm not good with electrics - can i just connect it to anything metal on the car?
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- Lifer
- Posts: 9529
- Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2015 9:09 am
- Location: South west Buckinghamshire
Rear light cluster dim
If you get the earth wire and ground it (hold it on a clean bit of metal) you should see the lights brighten up. Then try and find another earth point close to the light and fix it to that one.
Or you can drill a small hole and fit a self tapping bolt. Attach the end of the earth wire to a ring connector and away you go.
Or you can drill a small hole and fit a self tapping bolt. Attach the end of the earth wire to a ring connector and away you go.
BMW Z4 30i 2003 auto 107's Whippy Toledo Blue
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
Mini 1000 1981
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
Mini 1000 1981
- thecremeegg
- Member
- Posts: 733
- Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 11:43 am
- Location: North Hampshire
Rear light cluster dim
So tried the above, no luck
Seems that the rust has gone behind the connector block that's plastic riveted to the light.
Can this be removed or do I need a new light? I definitely need a new wiring harness but struggling to find one!
Seems that the rust has gone behind the connector block that's plastic riveted to the light.
Can this be removed or do I need a new light? I definitely need a new wiring harness but struggling to find one!
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- Lifer
- Posts: 9529
- Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2015 9:09 am
- Location: South west Buckinghamshire
Rear light cluster dim
Got a photo ?thecremeegg wrote: ↑Sun Dec 30, 2018 5:53 pm So tried the above, no luck
Seems that the rust has gone behind the connector block that's plastic riveted to the light.
Can this be removed or do I need a new light? I definitely need a new wiring harness but struggling to find one!
BMW Z4 30i 2003 auto 107's Whippy Toledo Blue
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
Mini 1000 1981
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
Mini 1000 1981
- thecremeegg
- Member
- Posts: 733
- Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 11:43 am
- Location: North Hampshire
Rear light cluster dim
Will try and grab one tomorrow sure
- thecremeegg
- Member
- Posts: 733
- Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 11:43 am
- Location: North Hampshire
Rear light cluster dim
Hope this shows it. As you can see the earth pin has gone but despite me tapping into the earth cable and attaching to the car body, it still doesn't work. Is there anyway to get this connector block off or anything?
- dhobbs
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1621
- Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2012 5:33 pm
Rear light cluster dim
Just by looking at the photo it looks like you could use a sharp knife to cut off the tabs on the side of the connector. Hopefully you can pull the plastic bit off. If that works there may be some pins soldered to the light pub that you could replace.
Good luck.
Good luck.
3.0si roadster. Requisite stubby. Sound gen mod. LED numberplate lights. LED boot strip. Interior lights LED too. ZHP gearknob. Daily drive
Motor in boot. Bilstein B8 dampers. New radio, much better sounds
Motor in boot. Bilstein B8 dampers. New radio, much better sounds
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- Lifer
- Posts: 9529
- Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2015 9:09 am
- Location: South west Buckinghamshire
Rear light cluster dim
Looks like some of the pins have melted (could be the photo) you could try electrical cleaner spray, it's slightly acidic and cleans metal terminals.
BMW Z4 30i 2003 auto 107's Whippy Toledo Blue
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
Mini 1000 1981
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
Mini 1000 1981
- thecremeegg
- Member
- Posts: 733
- Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 11:43 am
- Location: North Hampshire
Rear light cluster dim
I think it's just the earth that's melted - the others are all uniform in size, if a bit rusty. I will get the electrical cleaner out and see what i can do
- srhutch
- Moderator
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- Location: East Sussex, UK
- Contact:
Rear light cluster dim
I think I’d be finding a new light cluster.
- Spikey
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1409
- Joined: Sat May 16, 2009 8:42 am
- Location: Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire
Rear light cluster dim
Had similar problem with mine - though mine were worse ( disco lights on braking lol)
I messed around but eventually fitted a new connector and a new light unit as most of the pins corroded - interestingly other side was ok
It does appear to be a common problem
I messed around but eventually fitted a new connector and a new light unit as most of the pins corroded - interestingly other side was ok
It does appear to be a common problem
- thecremeegg
- Member
- Posts: 733
- Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 11:43 am
- Location: North Hampshire