Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

Third brake light

Discuss your latest mods or ideas, and anything to do with the BMW X5 (E53).
Post Reply
Themoog2
Member
Member
Posts: 523
Joined: Sun Nov 25, 2018 10:29 pm
Location: Cambridge

Third brake light

Post by Themoog2 » Fri May 21, 2021 6:17 am

I've noticed that some of the bulbs on my 3rd high level brake light are not working. Can these be taken apart or is it a while new unit job?

Online
User avatar
X5Sport
Global Moderator
Global Moderator
Posts: 18520
Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2010 4:09 pm
Location: Planet X6......

Re: Third brake light

Post by X5Sport » Fri May 21, 2021 1:11 pm

It’s an LED strip so will need disassembly and electronics work on the PCB within. RealOEM only shows it as a complete unit.

Two types, Red or White (as in the lens colour). Anywhere from about £80 upwards new, less 2nd hand. BMW will want a lot more (£114).

If you can identify the LEDs and are handy with a soldering iron then it should be straightforward.
Last edited by X5Sport on Fri May 21, 2021 11:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
:ant: Never anthropomorphise computers. They hate that.

User avatar
henrym3
Snr Member
Snr Member
Posts: 1837
Joined: Wed May 25, 2016 11:07 pm
Location: Bournemouth

Re: Third brake light

Post by henrym3 » Fri May 21, 2021 2:15 pm

Try the local scrappy and then tinker with your old one at leisure

User avatar
Alan Gunn
Snr Member
Snr Member
Posts: 1343
Joined: Thu Dec 08, 2016 10:32 pm
Location: Anglesey North Wales

Re: Third brake light

Post by Alan Gunn » Sat May 22, 2021 6:12 am

One side stopped working about 5 LED's on mine and i found a very easy fix as it was a common thing well with the e53.
I have looked and looked for the youtube video and googled it but for the life of me i can't find it.
It was a case of taking the light off cutting a small bit out of the rear of it and soldering a jump wire in.
Mine is still working 4 years later.
Easiest to go to the scrap yard if you have one or find one on the bay lol i just like to fix things if i can.

Post Reply