Rear light cluster

Phoenixboy

Senior member
 english riviera
If the led indicator strip is very dim and throwing a bulb warning code, Will I have to replace the entire unit?
2009
 
So after just fitting new Goodyear’s, the rear light can wait.
It’s not like bmw drivers have to indicate anyway 😳
The annoying thing is, the light doesn’t appear to be wet inside, so possibly a loose wire.
They worked for a bit, all fully lit, then started flashing fast and boing goes the bulb failure light
Perhaps a good whack with a hammer needed.
 
Don’t these things make you laugh
When you lock your car and the rear cluster led indicator strip lights up, how come it lights in all it’s glory, but when you indicate, it’ll light and flash for a few right turns and then flash like the clappers when it decides it’s had enough and go boing I don’t want to flash normally anymore.???
 
Sounds like a new unit. I bought a new one because mine had gone slightly dim. Then had to replace the other one because it didn't match the new one... ! :rofl:
 
Did you check the small plug from inside the compartment? Might be a bit oxidated due to moisture.
There is no normal way to repair the cluster. I've opened and closed it for my dynamic turn signal project.
https://bmw.spoolstreet.com/threads/z4- ... post-57395

At the end of the small loom between the big plug of this cluster and the internal mainbord there is a small 3-wire plug. Can be seen in the middle of the following picture:
Image

I've already seen oxidated pins on this small plug. This plug can be seen from outside of the housing. But be cautious, the 3-wire plug has a small locking, that has to be opened with a very small screw driver! If you don't open it, it will be destroyed!
 
Thanks guys
Looks like a new light cluster
Or just don’t indicate
Seems to work for most around these parts 😀
 
clarker63 said:
Sounds like a new unit. I bought a new one because mine had gone slightly dim. Then had to replace the other one because it didn't match the new one... ! :rofl:
Perhaps the one that didn’t match will match mine😀
 
Phoenixboy said:
clarker63 said:
Sounds like a new unit. I bought a new one because mine had gone slightly dim. Then had to replace the other one because it didn't match the new one... ! :rofl:
Perhaps the one that didn’t match will match mine😀

I think eurocarparts/carpartsforless sell the rear lights for around half of the bmw price :thumbsup:
Rob
 
Smartbear said:
Phoenixboy said:
clarker63 said:
Sounds like a new unit. I bought a new one because mine had gone slightly dim. Then had to replace the other one because it didn't match the new one... ! :rofl:
Perhaps the one that didn’t match will match mine😀

I think eurocarparts/carpartsforless sell the rear lights for around half of the bmw price :thumbsup:
Rob
Cheers Rob
Did a bit of research
About 130.00
Not panicking
It’s only an indicator after all
Who needs em
 
Phoenixboy said:
Smartbear said:
Phoenixboy said:
Perhaps the one that didn’t match will match mine😀

I think eurocarparts/carpartsforless sell the rear lights for around half of the bmw price :thumbsup:
Rob
Cheers Rob
Did a bit of research
About 130.00
Not panicking
It’s only an indicator after all
Who needs em

Unfortunately it will need to be replaced before an MOT. Mines once failed for poor visability from a distance. Plus a warning light on the dash is an automatic fail.

Another word of warning it’s the time of year for roadside checks so you maybe forced to change it sooner than you think if you happen to be pulled in and the police notice.
 
Angie4m said:
Phoenixboy said:
Smartbear said:
I think eurocarparts/carpartsforless sell the rear lights for around half of the bmw price :thumbsup:
Rob
Cheers Rob
Did a bit of research
About 130.00
Not panicking
It’s only an indicator after all
Who needs em

Unfortunately it will need to be replaced before an MOT. Mines once failed for poor visability from a distance. Plus a warning light on the dash is an automatic fail.

Another word of warning it’s the time of year for roadside checks so you maybe forced to change it sooner than you think if you happen to be pulled in and the police notice.
I will change it soon.
It’s intermittent, but is not going to mend itself
Just had tyres done, so no rush
It’s not a daily, so will sort soon as.
It’s just an indicator
Light all working fine
I’m sure the police have enough to do this time of year with all the idiots about.
Thanks for advice 😀
 
RobbiZ4 said:
Did you check the small plug from inside the compartment? Might be a bit oxidated due to moisture.
There is no normal way to repair the cluster. I've opened and closed it for my dynamic turn signal project.
https://bmw.spoolstreet.com/threads/z4-e89-dynamic-turn-signal-dynamischer-blinker.4147/#post-57395

At the end of the small loom between the big plug of this cluster and the internal mainbord there is a small 3-wire plug. Can be seen in the middle of the following picture:
20180214_174935_small-jpg.16221


I've already seen oxidated pins on this small plug. This plug can be seen from outside of the housing. But be cautious, the 3-wire plug has a small locking, that has to be opened with a very small screw driver! If you don't open it, it will be destroyed!
Just checked your link(s) - far out that's some serious man hours gone into the indicator mod. Gold star for total commitment :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
 
RobbiZ4 said:
Did you check the small plug from inside the compartment? Might be a bit oxidated due to moisture.
There is no normal way to repair the cluster. I've opened and closed it for my dynamic turn signal project.
https://bmw.spoolstreet.com/threads/z4-e89-dynamic-turn-signal-dynamischer-blinker.4147/#post-57395

At the end of the small loom between the big plug of this cluster and the internal mainbord there is a small 3-wire plug. Can be seen in the middle of the following picture:
20180214_174935_small-jpg.16221


I've already seen oxidated pins on this small plug. This plug can be seen from outside of the housing. But be cautious, the 3-wire plug has a small locking, that has to be opened with a very small screw driver! If you don't open it, it will be destroyed!
going to get my mate who removes tail lights every day to check connections before buying a replacement.
seems like a loose connection as no signs of water ingress and lights brightly as it should for a while before dimming and flashing quickly.
 
spoke to local bmw dealer just to have a moan.
best they can do is 211 inc vat.
as said, can source cheaper, reluctant to go down the used route unless its 60-70, as not much guarantee.
so if connections check does not resolve, will bite the bullet and buy new.
 
was actually surprised by bmw today.
whilst there price for the light was 211 as oppose to 130-140 ecp etc
there price to remove old light and fit new one was 43.00,seems reasonable.
now I appreciate people saying do it yourself, but my thoughts were, if it gets water ingress, or fails for any reason, I go back, you fitted it you sort it.
if I fit myself or a friend, and there is an issue, they say its been fitted incorrectly or damaged while fitting.
I assume I could just pay for fitting and supply part, but then if it fails, it has to be removed and replaced at my expense.
just my thoughts, unless someone has a better idea.
 
Smartbear said:
Hi, I’d save some money & fit the light myself-how hard can it be? :?
Rob
Did consider this but having spoken again to bmw, I say, why is the part 80.00 dearer from you than ecp
I say it is oem, he says ok, will fit it, but any issues will be down to you.
Now knowing how crap these light units are, if they supply and fit, it costs me 80.00 more, but I get 2 years parts and labour guarantee.
So at least if it fails for any reason, they have to remove and replace foc
 
well rear light cluster was removed, and no sign of any water ingress, which I suppose is good.
connections being checked, and then re install.
if still faulty, will have to have to be replaced.
but at least feel happy to have tried, in case it was anything obvious.
 
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