rear bulbs ..... Help pls

stehanson

Member
 Ormskirk, Lancashire
Hi Guys.
got a rear tail light blown (combined brake / rear light)
Handbook states there are four bulbs each side two different voltages are listed (no 1 in diagram) for stop /tail and are listed as dual voltage.
so went out and bought dual filament 380 as listed on autobulbs direct for this application. However what came out was a 382 as seen in the indicator next to it. I assume their website has the wrong bulb listed? Esp given the bulb doesn't engage in the holder.
any advice appreciated
 
The 382 is a clear single filament 12v 21w bulb - usually for indicator applications. The 380 is a stop / tail double filament 12v 21w/5w w bulb, (it's dual wattage not voltage) these usually have an offset pin arrangement so that they can't be installed the wrong way around. If it's a combined stop / tail light you need it'll be the 380. Are you sure you've taken the right bulb out?
 
I was going to add the above after posting but the site went down before I could do it, it's been off most of this afternoon.

According to the handbook the Z4 has two brake lights. It has the normal stop / tail light 5w/21w (380) and another that is just a single filament bulb 21watt (382), the drivers (off side) side one doubles up as a rear fog light. I think - but not sure - the extra ones are for when you brake hard, they may flash but again uncertain - someone will probably know for sure
 
Thanks for the replies guys:-

The owners handbook shows:
20141026_224942_zpse22355da.jpg

Whilst Halfords bulb guide shows similar:
20141026_140811_zps5947c079.jpg

However on taking ALL he bulbs out from each side they are all the same (single filament 382's)
Out of curiosity I have tried to insert a 380 dual filament into each holder and none of them take a dual filament bulb either way around (to take account of pin offset)
Pic shows each bulb side by side with locking pin offset on the dual filament
20141026_172412_zpse534ba2f.jpg

So back to the the original bulb:- I put a new single filament bulb in the dead light and still nothing, tried the other one out the packet and the same :headbang:
20141026_172559_zps5b7cf4bb.jpg
m
Swapped the bulbs around and realised it's the holder causing the issue, it appearswhen the bulb blew it has somehow burned the holder (burned through part of the metal contact which is now missing)
20141026_230206_zps79cb53ff.jpg

While I have solved the mystery of the bulb not working i'm now even more perplexed over the bulb issue - taking account of the real oem diagram I assume they should all be 382's despite what the BMW handbook states!!
 
Back
Top Bottom