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Rear light cluster dim

Discuss problems you have had or are having with your Z4
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thecremeegg
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Rear light cluster dim

Post by thecremeegg » Wed Dec 12, 2018 7:30 pm

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?

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thecremeegg
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Rear light cluster dim

Post by thecremeegg » Thu Dec 13, 2018 3:35 pm

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!

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Rear light cluster dim

Post by firebobby » Thu Dec 13, 2018 5:39 pm

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

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thecremeegg
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Rear light cluster dim

Post by thecremeegg » Thu Dec 13, 2018 5:44 pm

I'm not good with electrics - can i just connect it to anything metal on the car?

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Rear light cluster dim

Post by firebobby » Thu Dec 13, 2018 7:03 pm

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.
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

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thecremeegg
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Rear light cluster dim

Post by thecremeegg » 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!

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Rear light cluster dim

Post by firebobby » Sun Dec 30, 2018 8:54 pm

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!
Got a photo ?
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

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thecremeegg
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Rear light cluster dim

Post by thecremeegg » Mon Dec 31, 2018 8:10 pm

Will try and grab one tomorrow sure

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thecremeegg
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Rear light cluster dim

Post by thecremeegg » Thu Jan 03, 2019 5:14 pm

Image

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?

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dhobbs
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Rear light cluster dim

Post by dhobbs » Thu Jan 03, 2019 8:39 pm

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.
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Rear light cluster dim

Post by firebobby » Thu Jan 03, 2019 10:57 pm

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

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thecremeegg
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Rear light cluster dim

Post by thecremeegg » Thu Jan 03, 2019 11:31 pm

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

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Rear light cluster dim

Post by srhutch » Fri Jan 04, 2019 6:53 pm

I think I’d be finding a new light cluster.
Image

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Rear light cluster dim

Post by Spikey » Fri Jan 04, 2019 7:04 pm

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

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thecremeegg
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Rear light cluster dim

Post by thecremeegg » Fri Jan 04, 2019 11:21 pm

srhutch wrote: Fri Jan 04, 2019 6:53 pm I think I’d be finding a new light cluster.
If you can find me a clear spot drivers side for sale then I'd happily do that, however hen's teeth seem more prevalent :rofl:

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