Hey guys, I've got an issue with my new OE clears. When I brake my right side reverse light comes on and when I put it in reverse only the left reverse light comes on. I've got a thread in the M3 forum http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=557723 but no one's been able to help me out. I'm trying to isolate the problem to the tails because John at KO is telling me it's my car not the lights I purchased from him. The thread has all the details if any of you are electrically inclined. Basically I just want to plug my tails in to your car to see if it happens on another car. The 98 and up has a different wiring harness even though the parts are the same but I'd really like to narrow it down as much as possible to have a strong case if it's the lights.

I live on the corner of Fairfax and Vermont St. but I can meet you at your place. The closer the better but I just want this fixed.

Tried the bulb? PM me.

Tried the bulb? PM me.

Yeah the left one lights when in reverse and the right one lights when I'm on the brakes. Everything works normally with the stock amber tails in BTW.

I also work out in Fair Oaks so if someone is out that way between 8:30 and 7 I could meet up then...

Anyone?

No one?

I know the issue. Check your left tail light (driver's side.)

I bet you your connector does not look like this...

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/e36_tail.jpg

If you look inside the connector you will see that they are numbered. The rigid "wire" coming from the top row should connect to the two top left connectors (Both # 5 & 6.) I bet yours only connects to the one on the top left. (#5 only.) If that is the case, you have a taillamp for the Euro spec only E36. It will not work on US spec E36 cars. Unless someone knows of a fix? Anyone?

I know the issue. Check your left tail light (driver's side.)

I bet you your connector does not look like this...

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/e36_tail.jpg

If you look inside the connector you will see that they are numbered. The rigid "wire" coming from the top row should connect to the two top left connectors (Both # 5 & 6.) I bet yours only connects to the one on the top left. (#5 only.) If that is the case, you have a taillamp for the Euro spec only E36. It will not work on US spec E36 cars. Unless someone knows of a fix? Anyone?

Doug,

You nailed it. Here's the post where I noticed the difference and posted photos: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showpost.php?p=9176007&postcount=9

Unfortunately, the staff at KO Performance is completely unresponsive and refuses to either send me a working set or a refund. We were talking and they insisted the problem was with my car. However, once I identified the issue, they stopped responding. I'm extremely disappointed and would not recommend them to anyone at this point.

This may help others understand the problem a bit better.

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/image/lighting/lights_e36_tail_pin_problem.jpg

For anyone else who may order from KO. Looking at their site you will see this:

191664

However, on the invoice the description denotes that it is indeed a euro part:

Item
Part#
Qty

Unit Price

Description

Line Total
< 1 >
OEM-BMW-82-19-9-403-097
1

$100.50
OEM - BMW - E36 M3, 323, 325, 328 European white directional indicator tail light (rear left) 2 dr Coupes - vehicles w/ check control
$100.50
< 2 >
OEM-BMW-82-19-9-403-098
1

$100.50
OEM - BMW - E36 M3, 323, 325, 328 European white directional indicator tail light (rear right) 2dr Coupes only - vehicles w/ check control
$100.50


The realoem.com search will confirm this.

Part 82199403097 (LEFT REAR LIGHT, WHITE TURN INDICATOR) was found on the following vehicles:

E36: Details on E36
E36 318i CONVERTIBLE, Euro
E36 320i COUPE, Euro
E36 320i CONVERTIBLE, Euro
E36 323i CONVERTIBLE, Euro
E36 325i CONVERTIBLE, Euro
E36 328i CONVERTIBLE, Euro
E36 M3 CONVERTIBLE, Euro
E36 323i COUPE, Euro
E36 325i COUPE, Euro
E36 328i COUPE, Euro
E36 M3 COUPE, Euro


So... I do indeed have the wrong part. Anyone know of way to fix it? I wish I could see the underside of that connector, I could just bridge the connection I need (5 and 6) and break the one I don't (6 and 7) but I don't think that connector is meant to come off.

Does anyone know if pin 7 is used at all in euro cars? I don't have my wiring harness here in front of me but if it isn't I can just snip it and then connect the wires near the harness with a wire or some solder between the reverse light and the wire from 7. Essentially connecting 5,6, and 7. This would only work if 7 isn't used by anything though.