Rear Boot Brake Light (Third)

Keyper

Keyper

Member
 Dumfries, Scotland
You guessed it, half the lights don't work in the boot brake light, i only noticed because its been pointed out to me 3 times this week lol

So i thought I'd take a scan and look at it, thinking I'll need to order a few small bulbs.

However as you can now guess i got a slight shock how fragile this unit is, :!: once removing the three 8mm nuts, i thought the unit would just pop off from outside but it looks like it wont fit through the gap, it looks like the red cover needs separated from the rest of the assay but decided not to proceed any further, it looks like its been tampered with before and looks very fragile and ready to crack, the second problem i noticed is that they are more like led's than bulbs, so maybe its a dry joint on the circuit board that can be soldered.

Has anyone come across this before and if so have any good advice lol
 
It should come out really easily. Did you also remove the three springs and unplug the unit from the wiring loom? Can't imagine why it would be stuck, unless perhaps the springs are corroded on or someone has done a serious bodge job in the past (e.g. glued it on!).
 
There are 4 bolts/springs on mine (2003 E85) replaced mine recently as it was cracked (common on early cars) mine too was difficult to remove from the boot lid, and mine was pretty badly cracked and ended up in lots of pieces! Got a replacement from Sopers with forum discount, I don't think you can repair the bulbs/LEDs
 
thanks for the info, :) after i posted, i guessed i will have to order the complete unit.

Yeh three nuts removed complete with the springs, the cover has a rubber seal that also came away with no problem.

It appears that the rear of the light has fell away at one side form the red cover, maybe that's why its not coming out easily, i did not want to use force due to not having another one lol

Looks like i will have to buy myself a new one at some point, its chipped in one corner anyway and bugs me :poke:

Cheers
Keyper
 
Maybe get a clear one? I just changed mine from red (it was cracked too) and it looks awesome on a silver roadster. 8)
 
MrPT said:
Maybe get a clear one? I just changed mine from red (it was cracked too) and it looks awesome on a silver roadster. 8)
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Me too, also sliver. Clear are cheaper than red too :-)
 
There's one on youtube, the 'devil car', which has 'BMW Z4' light up on the l.e.d. strip. How did he do that?
 
Grizzly9 said:
There's one on youtube, the 'devil car', which has 'BMW Z4' light up on the l.e.d. strip. How did he do that?
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Surely just with some sort of tinting film ? Be a hell of a lot of effort to split a sealed unit as delicate as that one and bugger about with the inside...
 
anyone got any tips on how to fit this light so that the corners dont crack, iv already replace it and while washing the car last week noticed the corners are cracked, This will be my second replacement in 4 years.
 
Only do up the screws 'finger tight' plus a turn or two. I know you can't really get your fingers in, but you know what I mean :D

The rubber seems to be almost self-sealing, doesn't need much pressure. Oh, and don't slam the boot when you close it...
 
Gerry said:
anyone got any tips on how to fit this light so that the corners dont crack, iv already replace it and while washing the car last week noticed the corners are cracked, This will be my second replacement in 4 years.
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Did you replace the springs? Early ones were too 'strong' and that's the cause of a lot of cracked lights.

See this for part numbers and a good how to...

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=623996
 
Is it worth running a bead of sealant around it too as I've fitted a new one last week and water is getting into the boot - seems a poor fit for an own part.
 
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