I dont believe in the search function on this site, because everyone recommends it and I'm not swayed by peer pressure.

So if there's a write-up similar to this already, ban me. :)

I was driving behind an E39 yesterday, and noticed that the brakelight section of our taillights isnt too big, and really isnt too visible either. ...so I got to thinking, I remember seeing a blank socket on my taillights that is reserved for a rear fog light, which if I recall correctly, only like 22 total E39s are equpiied with worldwide.

http://blargon.net/%7Eadefazio/tail1.jpg

Why not make it another brake light?



here's what I did:

First, you have to drill out the hole for that extra bulb (some factory and most aftermarket taillights already have that hole cut out)... I started by drilling a small hole right in the center of the plug.

http://blargon.net/%7Eadefazio/tail2.jpg

That helped to keep the 1" holesaw bit centered...

http://blargon.net/%7Eadefazio/tail3.jpg


That's what I ended up with. I had a blast trying to get the plastic shavings out of the taillight after the holes were drilled, static sucks.
After a good hearty dose of compressed air, my lights were free of debris.

The next step is the soldering step, this is where I got mad and burnt myself. I jumped a small piece of wire between the center pin (positive pin) of the existing brake bulb socket and the center pin of the new brake bulb socket. It's pretty easy to look at which rails need to be connected.

http://blargon.net/%7Eadefazio/tail4.jpg

Note - the jumper wire was soldered directly behind the taillight plug.

That's it, now just plug in another bulb (same size as the other brake bulb) and reinstall.

Here's a before and after pic: (look at all that extra brightness from the left side)
http://blargon.net/%7Eadefazio/tail5.jpg

I did the same for the other side...

http://blargon.net/%7Eadefazio/tail6.jpg

So there you have it... It took me maybe 20-30 minutes...



eff tha haterz :evil2

soooo... now ur rear fog light is a brake light-:rolleyes

great idea-:lol

i can't stand ppl that drive with their rear fogs on...

I guess all those people should do this mod instead. ;)

Pretty cool idea actually... Are there any issues with the OBC reporting any bulb failures?

Pretty cool idea actually... Are there any issues with the OBC reporting any bulb failures?

nope, the only issue I can see would be that the OBC wouldnt tell you if only one of the bulbs is out. You'd have to have both burnt out on one side before it reports a bulb failure.

looks damn good to me, nice work

Beautiful! Great alternative to putting rear fogs in there, I might just go do that wednesday :)

I was actually thinking about that the other day. neat mod. maybe if I get really bored.
Wade

Damn, you stole my idea. :D

Kudos!

Question: based on the circuitry, I'm assuming that the bulbs are in series, rather than in parallel. This seems like it would put too little current going through the bulbs, since they're 21W bulbs.
Or do they not have a common ground before the power source?
Also, do you have a clearer, higher res pic of the leads that you soldered a wire between? I'd need something better than that before I'd feel confident doing this myself ;)

Thanks in advance, and looks great!

we do it on our Audis as well,

If someone is tailgating you on the highway, hit the switch and theyll back off w/o you having to brake

i wish i could do this, but i have no soldering tool! :(

another question: do you think this could be done with quick disconnects instead of soldering?

Question: based on the circuitry, I'm assuming that the bulbs are in series, rather than in parallel. This seems like it would put too little current going through the bulbs, since they're 21W bulbs.
Or do they not have a common ground before the power source?

All the bulbs in the taillight share a ground, and I only tied the positives of the 2 brake bulbs together so they're wired in parallel... right? They seem to be pretty bright, I guess that picture with only the left side done can be used to compare the before/after output.

I'll get the high res pic tonight...

All the bulbs in the taillight share a ground, and I only tied the positives of the 2 brake bulbs together so they're wired in parallel... right? They seem to be pretty bright, I guess that picture with only the left side done can be used to compare the before/after output.

I'll get the high res pic tonight...
danke :D
That would make them in parallel if they have a common ground, yes.

another question: do you think this could be done with quick disconnects instead of soldering?

On my last taillights (aftermarket) I was able to just jump a wire between 2 pins in the female side of the plug, but the factory ones dont have a pin in the plug unless the car came with the option, so soldering on the inside was my only option...

On my last taillights (aftermarket) I was able to just jump a wire between 2 pins in the female side of the plug, but the factory ones dont have a pin in the plug unless the car came with the option, so soldering on the inside was my only option...
makes sense. thanks for the info.

ok gonna sound silly, is there any way (even just for the moment) to do this mod with out soldering (i have depo tails)... if that helps

the only way to do it without soldering is if your depos have a plug coming out of the light housing with some wires attached... On my last aftermarkets I was able to cut the lead going to the fog bulb and attach it with the standard brake bulb and it worked just fine...

...But if those depo's have the plates with the metal rails like the factory ones, you're stuck having to solder unfortunately, unless you can get some sort of pin for the factory side of the plug where the fog light wires would have been..

, I remember seeing a blank socket on my taillights that is reserved for a rear fog light, which if I recall correctly, only like 22 total E39s are equpiied with worldwide.


Sorry to say this but all Eurospec cars have rear foglights :)

Sorry to say this but all Eurospec cars have rear foglights :)

This is going to sound stupid, but...what's the purpose of rear foglights? So people can see you clearly as they drive up behind you? Or are they for backing up in dense fog? Seems like if the fog's thick enough that you need rear foglights for either of those purposes, you shouldn't be driving anyways.

This is going to sound stupid, but...what's the purpose of rear foglights? So people can see you clearly as they drive up behind you? Or are they for backing up in dense fog? Seems like if the fog's thick enough that you need rear foglights for either of those purposes, you shouldn't be driving anyways.


1.So people can see you clearly as they drive up behind you is the purpose, sometimes the fog hits quite fast and the fog lights gives you a little extra distance to be seen in.
Im not saying its used daily, but i have used them a few times when you have not seen the road more then 2ft in front of you.

Your point about not driving under thoose conditions is valid, but if you do get caught they are quite good to have.

The problem with thick fog might be a non-issue in some parts of the world and there it would make perfect sense to use it as a extra brakelight.

The depos use the same assembly in the back, you dont actually replace that part, however it makes this mod easier since the fog light hole is already pre-drilled.

This is going to sound stupid, but...what's the purpose of rear foglights? So people can see you clearly as they drive up behind you? Or are they for backing up in dense fog? Seems like if the fog's thick enough that you need rear foglights for either of those purposes, you shouldn't be driving anyways.

Rear foglights are useful not only in fog, but also during heavy rainfall. I remember driving from Texas to NY and there was HEAVY rainfall. My bro was driving in front of me in his Porsche Boxter and I remember he turned the rear foglight on and I was able to see him in the distance.

On Porsches, only the driver's side foglight turns on. The same thing on Mercedes-Benz. I remember thinking what's up with Benzes always driving around with broken taillights (brake light stuck on) and mentioned it to my other bro that drives a Benz. He corrected me and told me that they are the fog lights. I noticed on his light switch that one click (pull) turns the front fogs on, and two clicks turns the rear on. Most benz drivers probably dont realize that they are turning on their rears as well.

On Audis I noticed that the rear fogs are on both sides (passenger and driver). Does anyone know if the BMWs in Europe have them on both sides or just one side?

Does anyone know if the BMWs in Europe have them on both sides or just one side?

We get them on both sides.

http://blargon.net/%7Eadefazio/tail7.JPG

Here's a better picture of the 2 rails that need to be connected. This is the Right side taillight, and the Left is a mirror of this one. Just connect the 2 highlighted rails and that's it...

in north america the fog light can only be on the driver's side. which actually makes sense so people don't think its the brake lights. I didnt know they actually used both sides anywhere.

i agree, they are very effective in the fog and rain.

i wish i could do this, but i have no soldering tool! :(

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38593 $10
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94903 $30

haha I was wondering what that other socket was for when I installed my Depos. Thanks for the info, I'll probably end up doing this.

can you jumper it directly to the other brake light, id rather use it as a break light.

can you jumper it directly to the other brake light, id rather use it as a break light.

Yea i'm pretty sure that the first post is actually a write-up on how to do just that. :)

lol, okay, i used a little electrical tape and a wire and taped it down and it worked! lol looks quite nice if you ask me, and quite useful and functional.

lol, okay, i used a little electrical tape and a wire and taped it down and it worked! lol looks quite nice if you ask me, and quite useful and functional.

haha sweet! just be careful of that wire coming loose and shorting on a ground.

You'll know this happened when you hit your brakes and your taillights launch through the windshield of the car behind you. :buttrock

Great write-up...and it is one of those mods that you, as the driver, can't actually see...but may prevent someone from rear ending you...which is a GOOD thing. :)

For those curious or nervous about finding or using the correct "runners" (positive)...when you remove the rear light assembly from the car...as stated previously...all the lights negative runners are in "parallel"...you will see that ALL of the bulb's negative contact points are connected together. Again, just look at (and follow) the metal runner's coming off the bulb's location...if that runner is connected to all the other runners (like a maze)...then that is the negative runners. You want to connect the POSITIVE runner of your BRAKE LIGHT and the (intended) REAR FOG LIGHT BULB. :)

Lots of E38 owners have been doing this QUAD BRAKE LIGHT mod for a few years now...especially when we ordered the Euro tail lights from BMW that came with the rear fog light bulbs already installed. Since they were there...why not put them to good use since the wiring for the rear fog lights isn't installed...but just like you did...a simple wire soldered between the positve leads connects the rear fog light to the BRAKE light.

And to answer a question someone asked a few posts ago...no, the additional bulb does NOT diminish the luminescence of the BRAKE lights. ;)

Here's my e38 with the same mod I performed back in 2003:

(think they'll know my brakes are applied?) :lol
http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/q/original/QuadBrakeLites%20Illuminated.JPG

Same type of wiring set up on my e38 (note brown wire) AND yes, you should solder it so that the wiring doesn't come loose and ground out. This area of the car is not hospitable to tape:
http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/q/original/Quad%20Brake%20Wiring%20CloseUp.jpg

I did this two nights ago, and I got a chance to follow my car (while it was dirven by my wife). I think it looks great, actually. Plus, its obviously brighter and thus safer. Best mod under 10 bucks except for CDV delete.

There are a couple of other neat things you can do with this to.

First if you install a diode in the line from the original brake light and the new brake light you can still connect it to the fog light system as well. Then if you turn on the fogs only the fog light will light but if you hit the brakes they will all light up.

Second when I used to play around with Fiero's more(i only have one now) they had a mod where you built a circuit that would turn on the brake bulbs in progression from left to right on the drivers side(in quick succession of course) and vise0versa for the left. SO essentially you could make the inner brake light come on a second after the first or say do a double flash upon application of the inner bulb.

Wow Deja Vu all over again!

I did this on my old '83 533i for exacly the same reason. There is a far greater chance of getting rear ended from somebody not paying attention than fog issues.

Thanks!

Here's a before and after pic: (look at all that extra brightness from the left side)
http://blargon.net/%7Eadefazio/tail5.jpg



Wow! I had never realized how little real estate was given to the brake lights. Are these oem lights? I had the 97-00 ambers for such a short time I never took pics, I don't recall what they look like while braking.

I did this awhile ago on my '95 318ic. I chose not to solder because of the plastic housing. I simply drilled a hole in the sheet metal that provides the circuit - very carefully so as not to pierce the plastic housing. I made a small jumper using 12 ga. wire with crimp-on ring terminals and used very short sheet metal screws with large heads - see the red wire in the photo.

There was no fog lamp switch or wire for that circuit and the necessary pins were removed from the connectors. I didn't even have to buy extra lamp holders or bulbs though - they were already in place, just no circuit to put them in use. The special white lamp holder in the picture is the one that would be the rear fog lamp. It holds a dual filament bulb. The low 5w filament is used for the running lights along with the gray lamp holder shown. The 21w filament, which is the same as the brake light is the one I activated. The lamp holder for the brake light isn't visible in the picture.

I'm happy with the results and I'm planning to try the same with my '03 530i using the same no-solder technique. I'll have to buy lamp holders and cut out the plastic housing since the holes are not there.

BTW I have a '94 Volvo 940 Turbo that came with a functioning rear fog lamp circuit - it lights both sides.

Has anyone done this on the Celis Tailamps like in a 2001+. I took the light apart and the metal grid seems to be installed with plastic welds. Making the hole seems imposible. Plus it seems it can't be a perfect circlie since the bulb holder has to screw into the part that holds the lens.

Second when I used to play around with Fiero's more(i only have one now) they had a mod where you built a circuit that would turn on the brake bulbs in progression from left to right on the drivers side(in quick succession of course)

care to enlighten us a bit more on how this is done?

bumpage... still curious about above post...

WOW...that looks really nice Dude. Thanks for sharing cause when I get mine, I'm gonna do the same!

thats a pretty cool idea i like it

I'm gonna do this...always thought the rear brake lights were kinda weak on the E39...thanks!

Has anyone done this on the Celis Tailamps like in a 2001+. I took the light apart and the metal grid seems to be installed with plastic welds. Making the hole seems imposible. Plus it seems it can't be a perfect circlie since the bulb holder has to screw into the part that holds the lens.

So no one has done this on the celis lights?

Is NNY528I
still using these forums I'd really be interested in having the outter brake light come on and the inner a half a second later or so.. just to be different..

-Pete

+1 I want to do this mod as well I have already successfully completed the quad brake light mod.

Great post.......... Good thinking

Subscribing for a Friday night project..

glad I could help by resurecting this thread....

Excellent idea of mod, I'll try it on my 528i

we do it on our Audis as well,

If someone is tailgating you on the highway, hit the switch and theyll back off w/o you having to brake


WHICH SWITCH ARE YOU TALKING ABUOT?

i did a similiar mod but i just use the "foglight" as a regular light so now mines lights up in an l form

This is the easiest and the cheapest mod I ever did. hey dummies! the German manufacturers are v. clever. That blank hole for the fog light has a very thin web around the circumference and about a quarter of it is already cut off. All you need to do is punch this out with a screw driver, you don't even need a hammer because its so delicate. the rest you pull out with the pliers in your tool kit. No mess atall, it comes out clean around the edges.It is meant to be punched out easily.
Then you uncover the plastic melt behind the connecting pins just enough to see that the back of the connecting pins is hollow. Just push the ends of the connecting wire tight in the hollow pins. You dont even have to solder it. THATS ALL & REASSEMBLE IT. SEE ATTACHED PICTURES BELOW.

ok gonna sound silly, is there any way (even just for the moment) to do this mod with out soldering (i have depo tails)... if that helps
YES YES YES! See my posting. You uncover the plastic melt behind the connecting pins and you'll see that they are hollow from behind. Just insert the ends your connecting wire tight. If the wire is too thick, file it so that it fits tight. SEE ATTACHED PICTURES BESLOW

wow, great! i'll get this done sooner than later!

wow, great! i'll get this done sooner than later!

Let everyone know once you've done it and if you encountered any difficulty or problem. I'll feel better to know if my idea was beneficial to someone else.

I got some pictures of how I did it without soldering the wire connection to the rails. See if it's of any help. "CREDIT STILL GOES TO defaz"

Defaz, I saw this post just a few days ago and completed the same project. The results are terrific. the only trouble I really had was securing the new bulb sockets into the plastic housing. The bayonet type clips don't line up and grab correctly. I just put two small screws into each socket, right on the edge, which holds them down nicely. Thanks!

I got some pictures of how I did it without soldering the wire connection to the rails. See if it's of any help. "CREDIT STILL GOES TO defaz"
do you have any other clearer close up pictures?

do you have any other clearer close up pictures?

HERE YOU ARE,A CLOSE UP WITH SOME EXPLANATION. YOU MAY HAVE TO ENLARGE THE PICTURE TO BE ABLE TO READ.CONNECTING WIRE PAINTED RED IN YELLOW CIRCLE, RAILS PAINTED BLUE. THE BLACK IN THE FOREGROUND OF THE YELLOW CICLE IS THE PLASTIC MELT OF ALL CONNECTING RAILS. FIRST PICTURE AS SEEN FROM TOP, SECOND PICTURE AS SEEN FROM THE BOTTOM. HOPE THIS HELPS.

Excellent idea and post, just did this to mine and it looks great and its actually practical lol

So no one has done this on the celis lights?

Bump to see if anyone has done this to the celis tails?

WHICH SWITCH ARE YOU TALKING ABUOT?

Euro e39s come with a switch for the rear fog light. Since we don't typically have them in the US, to most it appears like a brake light, hence people behind you will think you are braking if you turn on your rear foglights. Here is the retrofit:

http://www.jadeturtle.com/bmw/

Bump to see if anyone has done this to the celis tails?

+1 I'd like to know the same. Usually the topic just dies with no confirmed answers. Speculation, yes. Proof, not so much.

+1 I'd like to know the same. Usually the topic just dies with no confirmed answers. Speculation, yes. Proof, not so much.

I'm going to assume that it would be very similar to the others... unless your brake lights are also leds... it'd be easy enough to pop the back cover from one of your tails and look for the metal rails, i bet they're in there...

I'm going to assume that it would be very similar to the others... unless your brake lights are also leds... it'd be easy enough to pop the back cover from one of your tails and look for the metal rails, i bet they're in there...

Confirmed it will work with the Euro celis tails. :buttrock

I had a brake light bulb go out yesterday, so I pulled the tail light for a little investigation. It looks very similar to the pre celis with the giant circut board look. It is even easier in that the bulb is already there and connected(at least in my Euro tails they were), so all you have to do is span the two metal contacts, and your done. I just did a mock up with some electrical tape and tested it, but will solder in a wire this weekend.

Confirmed it will work with the Euro celis tails. :buttrock

I had a brake light bulb go out yesterday, so I pulled the tail light for a little investigation. It looks very similar to the pre celis with the giant circut board look. It is even easier in that the bulb is already there and connected(at least in my Euro tails they were), so all you have to do is span the two metal contacts, and your done. I just did a mock up with some electrical tape and tested it, but will solder in a wire this weekend.
Post pics, please.

Thanks

lunker325,

In case you didn't notice, see post #38 for a very clean, simple, solderless method.

Here are the pics of the completed Euro celis tails. I decided to screw the wire in, couldn't get the solder to stick. I am very happy with the results, no way someone is missing me now when I hit the brakes!

Before, lights off:

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n286/lunker325/Misc%20photos/IMG_2308.jpg

Before, lights on:
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n286/lunker325/Misc%20photos/IMG_2307.jpg

Jumper wire in place:

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n286/lunker325/Misc%20photos/IMG_2312.jpg


After, lights off:

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n286/lunker325/Misc%20photos/IMG_2323.jpg

After, lights on:

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n286/lunker325/Misc%20photos/IMG_2320.jpg

Darkness!

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n286/lunker325/Misc%20photos/IMG_2319.jpg

Good job, but I think I like the way it was before. Maybe Im just used to it.

P.S. I saw ur license plates :evil2

Good job, but I think I like the way it was before. Maybe Im just used to it.

P.S. I saw ur license plates :evil2

They are not for the likes of you, those brake lights are ment to wake up the dumb blind idiot tailgaters.:evil2

They are not for the likes of you, those brake lights are ment to wake up the dumb blind idiot tailgaters.:evil2

Dont get smart, you already have brake lights, so these aren't exactly a necessity. Why don't you put another set of auxiliary brake lights on your rear bumper "to wake up the dumb blind idiot tailgaters"?

Another happy convert here :) I was bored yesterday. Now, I just need to wok on my my soldering skills (or lack therof!).

is it this easy to make this a legitimate fog light instead of a brake light?

is it this easy to make this a legitimate fog light instead of a brake light?

http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/Rear%20Fog%20Lights_files/Rear%20Fog%20Lights.htm

IMHO not as easy as it is to make it an extra brake light.:D

thanks for the link!

YES, all euro spec cars have rear fogs. It is also true that many US spec German cars have rear fogs, and the American public has no idea what they are. Haha. Has anyone ever seen a mention of rear fog lights in any kind of driving manual/drivers ed manual? I certainly have not, but I can only speak for Pennsylvania.

Is NNY528I
still using these forums I'd really be interested in having the outter brake light come on and the inner a half a second later or so.. just to be different..

-Pete


I'm sure you could use some sort of inline timed relay... even a capacitor might delay it enough to turn on a second later....

I'm sure you could use some sort of inline timed relay... even a capacitor might delay it enough to turn on a second later....

Holy dead reply revival!!!

thx defaz

but i know nothing of capacitors and crap
lol someones gotta teach me

what im imagining will happen if I did this tho,
ppl are gonna pull up to me at traffic lights and say "Your brake lights are broken"

Holy dead reply revival!!!

thx defaz

but i know nothing of capacitors and crap
lol someones gotta teach me

what im imagining will happen if I did this tho,
ppl are gonna pull up to me at traffic lights and say "Your brake lights are broken"

that's assault, brotha!

I'll see what I can find out about an inline delay circuit. I can probably make a couple up and we can try them out...

Hey Guys,

Getting ready to do this mod and the pictures are not showing up...any way to help out a bro here?

I have the bulbs and the sockets and am ready get busy!

Thanks

ahh crap the server I was using decided to disappear. I'll have to dig up the pictures and fix that post asap...

Thanks man...it's a great write-up. Mebbe shoot it over to one of the DIY websites. Let us know...I hate people who tailgate and don't stop fast enough behind me. I have been rear ended 3 times in Washington!

Cheers