Where is the ground for the tailights/brakellights?

[paulmcconnon]

Got a ticket last night for no tail or brake lights. They have been coming and going without rhyme or reason. Must be the ground. Where is that turkey located?
Paul

[Backdraft#64]

Take a look at the sending unit attached to the brake fluid reservoir. $5.00 bmw part. Mine went bad the day befor a track event. The bmw parts guy did not have the exact unit but had a replacement part that worked.

Tip: Leave the lid on the brake fluid reservoir while changing the unit so the fluid does not gush out while replacing .
Your wiring is ok

[jeffko]

Another problem is the bulbs loosing contact at the socket. Make sure the bulbs are properly seated. You may want to use a little electrical tape around the bulbs base to cause a tighter fit. Mine did the same thing as yours until I taped them. No problems since.

[uncltodd]

Misery loves company. #139 has eaten two brake fluid sending units in 5K miles. Try Borg-Warner S551 or NAPA/Echlin SL147.

I have the "old-style" friction fit spring-loaded header-sidepipe connections, I can't help but think that I am cooking those poor sending units, inches away from the header/sidepipe connection.

Now I need help: #64, you mentioned the lid on the brake fluid reservoir... last sending unit change, a well-meaning friend left the lid, which has the sending unit float for low-brake fluid level, on the exhaust manifold. Melted that puppy, I have no IDEA how to find a replacement.

Help.

BTW, help me sell it. Health reasons.

UT

[sfeakes]

If it's no tail lights or brake lights then it's not your break switch, it's more than lightley the bulb holders BDR use. pull all 4 lenses off, and make sure each bulb is snug, then try again and see if they work. With the wiring a loose bulb on the left side will effect the right side, so you need to check all 4.
If it is this, then search the forum, there are a number of fixes.

[paulmcconnon]

After fixing the lights by changing the stop switch, removing the tail light lenses, I had the lights continue that crap repeatedly. The sockets just won't hold the bulbs worth a damn. I ordered the led set up from custom dynamics and WHAM!!!~!
I am in business big time.
Paul

[jeffko]

The LED's are the way to go. I plan on doing the same myself.

For anyone that wants a simple and cheap fix use electrical tape around the bulb to cause friction in the socket to hold the bulb in place.

[ROUSHAC]

Originally Posted by paulmcconnon

After fixing the lights by changing the stop switch, removing the tail light lenses, I had the lights continue that crap repeatedly. The sockets just won't hold the bulbs worth a damn. I ordered the led set up from custom dynamics and WHAM!!!~!
I am in business big time.
Paul

Paul,

Did you try the silicone between the bulbs and sockets "trick" that I PM'd you about? Just curious if it did/didnot work for you.

Cheers!
Dave

[Excaliber]

...note to self, add LED tail lights to my next 'rant'...

JUST KIDDING!!!

[ROUSHAC]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

...note to self, add LED tail lights to my next 'rant'...

JUST KIDDING!!!

Ernie,

Even you have to admit that they are brighter, thus safer.

Cheers!
Dave

[Excaliber]

Can't argue that! An interesting alternative.

[sfeakes]

The led set up from custom dynamics is the way to go. Especially when you convert the top to brake / turn as well. $200 for 4 bulbs is a bit extreme but well worth the investment.
Since the pic's and info I originally posted, I have also made my own housing's as well. I found that the white plastic housing that was the problem in holding the original bulbs, is also a problem for holding the original lenses (The screws holes break), so now I have dumped the whole thing and just kept the original chrome ring and lenses, and made my own mountings, I'll post some pic's next time I pull them off.

[got snake?]

Do any of you BDR owners remember which wires go to what on the LED lights from Custom Dynamics???
Please post/share. It would be greatly appreciated!!!

Sid

[Bailey]

LEDs are the way to go. I monkeyed around with the lights for almost a year, swapped to LEDs from Custom Dynamics, no issues. The tail lights are so bright, a fellow BDR guy flagged me down and tried to tell me I was driving with my foot on the brake. Now I have four tail lights and four brake lights, and two turn signals on each side. LOVE it.
Richard

An easy way to check if it is a ground wire issue....get a multimeter and check continuity from the socket ground to frame ground.

[got snake?]

Originally Posted by Bailey

LEDs are the way to go. I monkeyed around with the lights for almost a year, swapped to LEDs from Custom Dynamics, no issues. The tail lights are so bright, a fellow BDR guy flagged me down and tried to tell me I was driving with my foot on the brake. Now I have four tail lights and four brake lights, and two turn signals on each side. LOVE it.
Richard

An easy way to check if it is a ground wire issue....get a multimeter and check continuity from the socket ground to frame ground.

How did you wire it up to get all four to come on when you hit the brakes?

Sid

[Bailey]

Sid, just take the single wire coming to the stock BDR bottom brake light and connect it to both the wires for the LED brake light, same with the turn signal.
Cheers,
Richard

[got snake?]

Perfect! I'm going to give them a try. Haven't ordered the other set yet. Thanks for the info guys!

Sid