Has anyone who has carried out the modification to change the bulb holder over to use the 2nd and spare filament on the lower tail light to a second brake light, had any issue with the vehicle electronics shutting down?
I was thinking of doing this mod, and enquired at the dealers (Wolverhampton) about a lamp holder cost - (it of course comes with a loom at £20 a side) anyway the guys in there where fairly sure that it would up the electronics, anyone know ?
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9th Sep 2008 1:54 pm
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10297
plugging the caravan (or trailer) with its brake lights doesnt screw up the electronics, although I guess if you've the extra brake lights AND a trailer, well who knows.
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9th Sep 2008 2:18 pm
DiscoStu
Member Since: 09 Apr 2006
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Member Since: 02 Dec 2005
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There are no electronics associated with the brake lights that I can think of. No bulb fail monitors etc. Should be fine2020 BMW X1 18d XDrive X-Line Auto
9th Sep 2008 3:13 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26702
I did this mod to my D3 this weekend just passed, and it works fine. Mine has LED bulbs, so cannot vouch for using standard bulbs though.
It a really easy mod if you have a soldering iron.
I dismantled the plug by removing the beige plastic surround from the inner part on the plug, and releasing the pin with the white wire. I then passed a piece of wire through the yellow rubber seal and soldered it onto the bottom of the pin. Re-assemble the plug, and zip tie the piece of wire to the existing loom.
If you wanted to do it really properly, then you would buy the bulb holder as previously described, but I just passed the wire through the white blank on the holder, and soldered it directly to the LED bulb.
9th Sep 2008 9:54 pm
Wex
Member Since: 16 Apr 2007
Location: Knackeragua
Posts: 5173
Good idea Gareth, if I solder direct onto the bulb base, and feed the wire from the inside out,
"I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you read is not what I meant"
9th Sep 2008 11:23 pm
caverD3
Member Since: 03 Jul 2006
Location: Oberon, NSW
Posts: 6922
A direct short accross the brake light globe( faulty globe) can cause major shutdown at least on pre MY2008. Maybe this is what they were thinking about. I wanted to to do this .........but 40 quid a side?
I wonder if it is a standard type fitting, if so which vehicle would be the same?“There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely gamesâ€
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9th Sep 2008 11:46 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26702
If your good and accurate with the soldering iron, its easy and not a problem
Obviously a visual check to make sure your solder joint to the bulb contact is clean, and no bridges to earth are present.
10th Sep 2008 9:23 pm
Nuts06
Member Since: 23 Feb 2008
Location: Nice (French Riviera)
Posts: 116
Member Since: 03 Jul 2006
Location: Oberon, NSW
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Great idea Fred, but where did the extra copper strip come from?“There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely gamesâ€
Ernest Hemmingway
D4 3.0 Active Diff, Adaptive Lights, High Beam Assist, Surround Cameras, Privacy Glass.
D3 2.7:Adaptive Headlights,Electronic Rear Diff,ARB Bar,Blaupunkt Speakers,JVC Powered Subwoofer,Removable Snorkel,Mitch Hitch,Pioneer After Market Head Unit,Steering Wheel Control Adaptor,Remote Adjustable Supension Rod System, Taxside Dual Battery System.
11th Sep 2008 4:54 am
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
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Good stuff Fred
why do I make things sound sooooo complicated
11th Sep 2008 5:11 pm
Wex
Member Since: 16 Apr 2007
Location: Knackeragua
Posts: 5173
caverD3 wrote:
Great idea Fred, but where did the extra copper strip come from?
Looks like he made it /adapted an old one
11th Sep 2008 5:15 pm
Nuts06
Member Since: 23 Feb 2008
Location: Nice (French Riviera)
Posts: 116
Thanks,
The copper came from the inside of electric multiplug. it was old and broken...
But you can do it with any ribbon of copper. Just copy the shape with a little clamp !
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up the electronics, anyone know ?
if I solder direct onto the bulb base, and feed the wire from the inside out, 
