Tailgate Lights. I have no wires?

stamsd · 09-13-2020, 01:15 PM

Sorry for a potentially stupid question. We recently picked up a 2012 X3 as a 3rd car. I noticed that we had no tailgate lights when the headlights were on. I poked around and saw the LED driver is usually the culprit. I poped the tailgate light housing off and saw that there are no extra wires, and no LED driver. The slot is empty. Were there some made with no lights? I am guessing the light that is not the reverse light is adaptive brake? What am I missing here?

pungo · 09-13-2020, 01:27 PM

Do you have Xenon headlights, cause I think those are the only ones that get LED tail lights? I think with halogen headlights, there's no hatch lights.

stamsd · 09-13-2020, 01:38 PM

Nope. Standard headlights. So, my tailgate lights will always be off unless I brake really hard? Bummer. Wonder if there is a way to wire or code that light to just come on with the headlights. Would look more "complete". Looks like something is burned out the way it sits now.

pungo · 09-13-2020, 02:15 PM

On positive note, you have an I6 instead of the I4 turbo with the timing chain self destruct engine, so feel lucky you're just missing hatch lights

There may be a way to make the hatch lights work, I have factory LEDs so looked into it.

stamsd · 09-13-2020, 02:24 PM

Thanks pungo. Yep, plain ole I6. Not fancy, but reliable

ps- on an unrelated note... I have 2 LED drivers for sale

383vett · 09-14-2020, 09:31 AM

Sorry, are you talking about the taillights or stoplights?

willywi · 09-14-2020, 11:51 AM

The halogen headlight does not have led light bar on the rear like the xenon headlight have. If you want to do this retrofit you will need to buy 4 taillights with LED bars on it and add 4 wires to FRM.

I made a guide on retrofitting led taillight:
https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1711943

stamsd · 09-14-2020, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willywi

The halogen headlight does not have led light bar on the rear like the xenon headlight have. If you want to do this retrofit you will need to buy 4 taillights with LED bars on it and add 4 wires to FRM.

I made a guide on retrofitting led taillight:
https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1711943

Thanks so much for that. Probably a bit more than I am wanting to get involved with right now. First 2 BMWs this Summer added to our stable. LOVE the way they drive, but not digging the "a la carte" menu for the most basic options for a luxury brand.

pungo · 09-14-2020, 06:17 PM

Since the 28i is the base model, to keep the entry cost lower, the standard option list is limited. The 35i came standard with Xenon headlights and LED tails. When I was looking, I only looked at ones with an I6 engine (non-turbo or turbo) and if non-turbo, it had to have Xenon headlights, which many didn't.

09-13-2020, 01:15 PM	#1
stamsd ;) 0 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 19' 330i x-Drive Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Mid-West iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 X3 28i [0.00] 2019 330i x-Drive [0.00]	Tailgate Lights. I have no wires? Sorry for a potentially stupid question. We recently picked up a 2012 X3 as a 3rd car. I noticed that we had no tailgate lights when the headlights were on. I poked around and saw the LED driver is usually the culprit. I poped the tailgate light housing off and saw that there are no extra wires, and no LED driver. The slot is empty. Were there some made with no lights? I am guessing the light that is not the reverse light is adaptive brake? What am I missing here?
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09-13-2020, 01:27 PM	#2
pungo Colonel 880 Rep 2,547 Posts Drives: Z4MC-X3-35i-525i, Corrado G60 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (5) Garage List 2011 BMW X3 x35i [0.00] 2001 BMW 525i [0.00] 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe [8.76]	Do you have Xenon headlights, cause I think those are the only ones that get LED tail lights? I think with halogen headlights, there's no hatch lights.
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09-13-2020, 01:38 PM	#3
stamsd ;) 0 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 19' 330i x-Drive Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Mid-West iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 X3 28i [0.00] 2019 330i x-Drive [0.00]	Nope. Standard headlights. So, my tailgate lights will always be off unless I brake really hard? Bummer. Wonder if there is a way to wire or code that light to just come on with the headlights. Would look more "complete". Looks like something is burned out the way it sits now.
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09-13-2020, 02:15 PM	#4
pungo Colonel 880 Rep 2,547 Posts Drives: Z4MC-X3-35i-525i, Corrado G60 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (5) Garage List 2011 BMW X3 x35i [0.00] 2001 BMW 525i [0.00] 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe [8.76]	On positive note, you have an I6 instead of the I4 turbo with the timing chain self destruct engine, so feel lucky you're just missing hatch lights There may be a way to make the hatch lights work, I have factory LEDs so looked into it.
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09-13-2020, 02:24 PM	#5
stamsd ;) 0 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 19' 330i x-Drive Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Mid-West iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 X3 28i [0.00] 2019 330i x-Drive [0.00]	Thanks pungo. Yep, plain ole I6. Not fancy, but reliable ps- on an unrelated note... I have 2 LED drivers for sale Last edited by stamsd; 09-13-2020 at 02:40 PM..
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09-14-2020, 09:31 AM	#6
383vett Major 626 Rep 1,044 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i, 2012 X3 Xdrive35 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Moraga, California iTrader: (0)	Sorry, are you talking about the taillights or stoplights? __________________ 2016 Z06 Vette, 10.53@132 1984 Vette, 406, 10.23@131 2021 SQ5
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09-14-2020, 11:51 AM	#7
willywi Second Lieutenant 86 Rep 232 Posts Drives: BMW x3, BMW x5 Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	The halogen headlight does not have led light bar on the rear like the xenon headlight have. If you want to do this retrofit you will need to buy 4 taillights with LED bars on it and add 4 wires to FRM. I made a guide on retrofitting led taillight: https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1711943
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09-14-2020, 06:17 PM	#9
pungo Colonel 880 Rep 2,547 Posts Drives: Z4MC-X3-35i-525i, Corrado G60 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (5) Garage List 2011 BMW X3 x35i [0.00] 2001 BMW 525i [0.00] 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe [8.76]	Since the 28i is the base model, to keep the entry cost lower, the standard option list is limited. The 35i came standard with Xenon headlights and LED tails. When I was looking, I only looked at ones with an I6 engine (non-turbo or turbo) and if non-turbo, it had to have Xenon headlights, which many didn't.
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