Note: This UPDATED DIY was compiled using a DIY that was half completed and unfinished 3 years ago by member called ADA. I've only updated and added to what he started so that it may provide a complete guide to those wanting to update their old style tail lamps. The reason for wanting to update from the 99 to 01 tails to the 02 and on tails are both for function in all cases and cosmetic for those that prefer that style. Pre-facelift tails carry only 3 bulbs, 2 of which share driving and brake lamp function. It also lacks a trunk lid/rear fog lamp bulb so the over all effect is less pronounced, dimmer and consequently not as funtional and safe as the Facelift tails. Facelift tails carry 4 main bulbs and utilize all of them for specific functions. In addition there is a working trunk lid/rear fog bulb serving to add brightness to the normal driving lamps and can be easily modified to have a rear fog lamp function.
Facelifted Tail Lamps on a Pre-Facelift Sedan -DIY- 1/4/2009 UPDATED
PART 1
This DIY will discuss retrofitting post-facelift sedan tail lights (01-05) into your pre-facelift sedan (99-01).
Everyone can skip this DIY and go buy the "retrofit kit" provided by BMW. The retrofit kit cost a little under $400 and comes with everything you need to retrofit your car with the latest sedan tail lights. The kit has the tail lamps, trunk lamps, bulb housing for both trunk and tail, wiring harness for both tail and trunk lamps, and a instruction guide.
However, for those of you that bought the post-facelift tail lamps instead, this DIY will help you with your retrofit project.
Personally, I rather buy the post-facelift tail/trunk lamps than the retrofit kit. I bought my tail/trunk lamp set from SAM at auto-talent for $230 shipped! It is OEM.
Here are the facts:
-There is no dimension difference between the post-facelift and pre-facelift tail lamps
^^^ Post-facelift ^^^
- The physical difference is that the post-facelift tail lamps are divided into three section (RED-AMBER-RED or RED-CLEAR-RED). The pre-facelift sedan is divided into two section (AMBER-RED or CLER-RED).
^^^ pre-facelift ^^^
-The electrical difference is that the post-facelift uses 4 bulbs and the pre-facelift use 3 bulbs
^^^ Post-facelift bulb housing ^^^
^^^ Pre-facelift bulb housing
-The wiring difference is that the post-facelift uses a 8 pole connectors w/7 brushing contacts/wires. The connectors/plug for post has two columns. Each columns has 4 pole each.
^^^ Post-facelift plug/connector ^^^
The pre-facelift uses a 6 pole connectors w/6 brushing contacts/wires. The connectors/plug for the pre has one column with 6 pole running in single file line.
^^^ Pre-facelift plug/connector ^^^
The biggest issue is the wiring and the LCM lights out error. However, I have a solution for that. I will address that issue later on.
Everything else should be a direct bolt on since there is NO DIMENSION difference between the post and pre-facelift tail lights.
Retrofitting OEM requires a few more step because of the wiring harness and the LCM issue. However, my intent with this DIY is to use our existing
pre-facelift Wirining harness + LCM to make the post-facelift tail lamps work.
The post-facelift lighting scheme is different.
The bottom portion tail lamp and the bottom portion of the trunk light is use as your running lights. The top portion only illuminate when you brake
The pre-facelifted lighting scheme is as followed:
Both the bottom portion is use as the running lights and brake lights. When braking, the light bulbs illuminate brighter because they are dual filaments bulbs. The bottom portion of the trunk light is only use a rear fog lights (see my DIY for PRE-FACELIFT rear fog lightretrofit)
PART 2
Inorder to bypass the LCM issue, my itent is to use the top and bottom portion (blue circle) as both my brake and running lights.
The middle section will only be use as my turn signal.
Additionally, I will use the bottom portion of my trunk for REAR FOG LIGHTS only.
PART 3
Thanks to Luckysnafu, I am going to revised my wiring plan:
I am going to use the top and bottom portion for running/parking lights.
The middle section is going to be used for turn signal
the top portion will be used for BRAKE lights (and running/parkling lights)
Below is a picture of the plug/connector you need to buy from the dealers
They run for around $0.75 each. You need to buy some brushing contacts too. You need a total of 14 brushing contacts. You can use your pre-exisitng contact from your pre-facelift bimmer but it requires some minor modification. The brushing contact cost $1.37 each
Plug housing: 12-52-7-505-271
Contact Brushing: 12-52-0-007-171
SNA77 or LucksnaFu,
Is this normal?
1) My running/parking lights seems brighter than the brake light (when brake is not activated)?
2) When activating my brake, my brake light is as bright as my running lights. I figured that my brake light would be brightest but it is not. Again, when I depressed the brake pedal, the brake light has the same intensity as the running lights.
http://www.bekkers.com/Merchant2/mer...Category_Code=
Or, you can buy just the taillights from bekkers and then buy the cable harness at the dealer. Part # 61-1-20-140-220
Also, here's the BMW retrofit instructions:
http://www.bigpatsfans.com/e46_tail_retrofit.pdf
Facelifted Tail Lamps on a Pre-Facelift Sedan -DIY- 1/4/2009 UPDATED
PART 1
This DIY will discuss retrofitting post-facelift sedan tail lights (01-05) into your pre-facelift sedan (99-01).
Everyone can skip this DIY and go buy the "retrofit kit" provided by BMW. The retrofit kit cost a little under $400 and comes with everything you need to retrofit your car with the latest sedan tail lights. The kit has the tail lamps, trunk lamps, bulb housing for both trunk and tail, wiring harness for both tail and trunk lamps, and a instruction guide.
However, for those of you that bought the post-facelift tail lamps instead, this DIY will help you with your retrofit project.
Personally, I rather buy the post-facelift tail/trunk lamps than the retrofit kit. I bought my tail/trunk lamp set from SAM at auto-talent for $230 shipped! It is OEM.
Here are the facts:
-There is no dimension difference between the post-facelift and pre-facelift tail lamps
^^^ Post-facelift ^^^
- The physical difference is that the post-facelift tail lamps are divided into three section (RED-AMBER-RED or RED-CLEAR-RED). The pre-facelift sedan is divided into two section (AMBER-RED or CLER-RED).
^^^ pre-facelift ^^^
-The electrical difference is that the post-facelift uses 4 bulbs and the pre-facelift use 3 bulbs
^^^ Post-facelift bulb housing ^^^
^^^ Pre-facelift bulb housing
-The wiring difference is that the post-facelift uses a 8 pole connectors w/7 brushing contacts/wires. The connectors/plug for post has two columns. Each columns has 4 pole each.
^^^ Post-facelift plug/connector ^^^
The pre-facelift uses a 6 pole connectors w/6 brushing contacts/wires. The connectors/plug for the pre has one column with 6 pole running in single file line.
^^^ Pre-facelift plug/connector ^^^
The biggest issue is the wiring and the LCM lights out error. However, I have a solution for that. I will address that issue later on.
Everything else should be a direct bolt on since there is NO DIMENSION difference between the post and pre-facelift tail lights.
Retrofitting OEM requires a few more step because of the wiring harness and the LCM issue. However, my intent with this DIY is to use our existing
pre-facelift Wirining harness + LCM to make the post-facelift tail lamps work.
The post-facelift lighting scheme is different.
The bottom portion tail lamp and the bottom portion of the trunk light is use as your running lights. The top portion only illuminate when you brake
The pre-facelifted lighting scheme is as followed:
Both the bottom portion is use as the running lights and brake lights. When braking, the light bulbs illuminate brighter because they are dual filaments bulbs. The bottom portion of the trunk light is only use a rear fog lights (see my DIY for PRE-FACELIFT rear fog lightretrofit)
PART 2
Inorder to bypass the LCM issue, my itent is to use the top and bottom portion (blue circle) as both my brake and running lights.
The middle section will only be use as my turn signal.
Additionally, I will use the bottom portion of my trunk for REAR FOG LIGHTS only.
REPLY NOTE: I am not going to mess with my trunk lamp because I am only going to use it for REVERSE and EURO REAR FOG LIGHTS. I can care less about the trunk light being use as my "parking/running" lights.
PART 3
Thanks to Luckysnafu, I am going to revised my wiring plan:
I am going to use the top and bottom portion for running/parking lights.
The middle section is going to be used for turn signal
the top portion will be used for BRAKE lights (and running/parkling lights)
Below is a picture of the plug/connector you need to buy from the dealers
They run for around $0.75 each. You need to buy some brushing contacts too. You need a total of 14 brushing contacts. You can use your pre-exisitng contact from your pre-facelift bimmer but it requires some minor modification. The brushing contact cost $1.37 each
Plug housing: 12-52-7-505-271
Contact Brushing: 12-52-0-007-171
PART 4: ASSISTANCE REQUESTED:
SNA77 or LucksnaFu,
Is this normal?
1) My running/parking lights seems brighter than the brake light (when brake is not activated)?
2) When activating my brake, my brake light is as bright as my running lights. I figured that my brake light would be brightest but it is not. Again, when I depressed the brake pedal, the brake light has the same intensity as the running lights.
Bekkers has a OEM Retrofit Kit (where I finally got mine)
http://www.bekkers.com/Merchant2/mer...Category_Code=
Or, you can buy just the taillights from bekkers and then buy the cable harness at the dealer. Part # 61-1-20-140-220
Also, here's the BMW retrofit instructions:
http://www.bigpatsfans.com/e46_tail_retrofit.pdf