Problems with rear lights - Late '03 facelift 3.0d

[Dimsum]

On a recent trip to the indyI asked them to replace a bulb in the rear. It had popped up on the dash as a brake light out..

Long story short, it wasnt the bulb but I apparently need two new complete rear lights at £180 each!

Every now and then i get warning lights and all the rear lights play up like a christmas tree...

Anyone know where I can get the rear lights at a decent price?

I would rather stick with OEM but a decent quality alternative would be ok.

Many thanks!

James

[petert]

This is a well known issue.  Corrosion forms on the bulb contacts and prevents current getting to the bulb, this then shows as a bulb failure on the dash (I had the exact same thing on my 04 E53).  I fixed it by getting into the lamp enclosure and cleaning the corrosion off the contacts, then smearing the cleaned contacts with a bit of vaseline/similar to prevent the corrosion forming again.
Worth a try before you splash out £360!!!
Peter T

[Dimsum]

Thanks for that!

I think ill get it booked in with my local mechanic and let him have a play instead of my Indy...

I just dont have the time these days!!

[Thurlo]

As Peter says this is a very common problem. Had it on mine a couple of times and on the worst one I had to run solder around the bulb holder and rebuild it as it had corroded so much. You often see them on ebay if you need to replace or they are £118 for Face lift models at Euro Car Parts for non OE ones and even cheaper for cars up to 09/03.

Pretty sure your mechanic will be able to clean them all up though.

Nigel

[AW8]

If you can re-wire a household plug you can do this yourself assuming you have......

1. A decent socket set
2. Ability to work in small spaces
3. Some abrasive paper
4. Some contact cleaner or other product to keep the circuit complete and free from rust in future.

You will need to unplug the cluster and I suggest you use sockets to loosen nuts that hold the clusters then hands otherwise you may drop same into recess/cavity, (strategic placement of cloths in cavity can help as can having a magnetic pick up tool - can be a fiddle/tricky removing in nearside unit ). Check for spread of corrosion on bulb holders too.

I reckon 30 mins per side absolute tops.........basically if paying someone then agree in advance 1 hr labour absolute max.

 

[Dimsum]

Thanks guys.

My trusty mechanic is one of those very rare things.. A trustworthy mechanic!

Im also booking "Barry" in to Dartford Transmissions soon. Need to get this jerkyness and hesitation sorted out.

[macca]

gees its not even that hard, just twist the bulb holder back and forth a couple of times and its good to go.

only technical skill required is to know how to open the side panels

yes eventually you will need to do something more permanent, but thats been working for

me for nearly 4 years

i plan to re tin ( solder ) the connections one day hehehe

[Dimsum]

I did have a play around in the end but it made no difference. I ended up buying new rear lights.