BMW Part Help!!!!

gimpotronitus

Hi Guys,

Bulbs at rear of BMW 320d gone, I had a look at the bulb array thing in the back and some of the connectors are blown.

Best to just see the images here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/96013839@N00/

Before I head into a garage, can someone give me an idea of either how much I would be charged to fix or if I can fix it myself by ordering parts etc.. need it done kinda quick as NCT coming up. OR if some mechanic is on the southside and can fix, let me know!

cheers lads.

reverandkenjami

You can pick up all the bits from your dealer!! Fairly easy fix if your any good at DIY!

DublinDilbert

Looks fairly simple / straight forward, although if your not a DIY'er, i'd get someone to do it.

The parts are shown here:-
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AL72&mospid=47634&btnr=63_0459&hg=63&fg=20

Looks like you can buy the connector body + contacts too...

gimpotronitus

Yes, looks grand. Thanks for that link.

Anyone know where I can get these parts in dublin? Can I buy them online or should I just go to a BMW garage and ask them for the parts or what do you recommend? Would prefer to get the parts before 20th July

thanks.

DublinDilbert

gimpotronitus wrote: »

Yes, looks grand. Thanks for that link.

Anyone know where I can get these parts in dublin? Can I buy them online or should I just go to a BMW garage and ask them for the parts or what do you recommend? Would prefer to get the parts before 20th July

thanks.

Just find the part numbers you need on realoem and ring any BMW dealer for pricing on them. As far as i know BMW dealers have unified pricing so should cost the same from any of them.

I would say the connectors + pins will be very very cheap, but the lead frame that carries the bulbs for the rear light will be expensive....

Is there much damage done to your lead frame? could you straighten up the contacts and file them down / clean them up? Then just replace the connector?

gimpotronitus

The bulb housing looks fine, the only damage is to the connector pins on the bulb housing i.e. one of the pins has been "sheared" in half and is only half the size of the other ones Must have gotten blitzed bad by the short/surge.

I cant seem to find the connector part on that page though i.e. the part connected to the wires coming from the car that plugs into the connector on the bulb housing. That part does not seem to be listed.

Hopefully, I might only need 2 parts:

a) The connector housing on the bulb housing, 2nd photo in my link.
b) The connector connected to the wires that plugs into the connector housing on the bulb housing - this is the part I cant find on the realoem page.

thanks a lot!

Nforce

It's a common fault. The problem is due to the piss poor earth wire that bmw fit as standard to the tailight assemblies. To prevent the issue recurring run a new earth cable from the wiring harness directly to an earth point on the tailight.
I'd recommend that all bmw e46 owners check the condition of their tailight wiring connectors.

DublinDilbert

gimpotronitus wrote: »

a) The connector housing on the bulb housing, 2nd photo in my link.
b) The connector connected to the wires that plugs into the connector housing on the bulb housing - this is the part I cant find on the realoem page.

thanks a lot!

I don't think you'll be able to get the connector on the bulb hosing separate, I'd say its part of the housing.

The part that fits on the cable is #15 on the real oem diagram.

Nforce wrote: »

It's a common fault. The problem is due to the piss poor earth wire that bmw fit as standard to the tailight assemblies. To prevent the issue recurring run a new earth cable from the wiring harness directly to an earth point on the tailight.
I'd recommend that all bmw e46 owners check the condition of their tailight wiring connectors.

If the other pins on the connector are ok and its just a problem with the ground, then the above suggestion would probably be the way to go... Run a nice tick ground wire from the harness onto a sturdy part of the lead frame (solder/crimp/bolt on)....

gimpotronitus

As always, thanks a lot guys, great information here.

One last thing, by lead harness, what do you mean? I will run an earth wire from the bulb harness to where exactly?

thanks a lot.

Nforce

Here's a useful link.. http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=533309 and this.. http://www.bmw-driver.net/Forum/showthread.php?p=84197

DublinDilbert

Nforce wrote: »

Here's a useful link.. http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=533309 and this.. http://www.bmw-driver.net/Forum/showthread.php?p=84197

It looks like there's a place where you can connect a spade connector onto the lead frame ( http://thegzone.net/330/tails/P1110068.JPG )

If you crimp the spade on well to the wire & make a good connection onto the harness (solder + shrink wrap/tape), you'll never need to go near it again....

Nforce

There was no spade connector available on my tail lights (2001), so I wound up drilling it and using a self tapper.:)

mick.fr

Had exactly the same issue with my e46.
I cut off the faulty cable, part that was fckued up and soldered this similar to it



Then I managed to plug it back into the socket that you have pictured here.

I gave a quick brush to the connectors and that was it, no extra cable, nothing.