350i later rear lights, spare holder??

[KKson]

When the Wedge was being MOT'd the other day the offside brake light bulb had blown so Mr MOT man opened up the back of the light cluster, put a new bulb in the appropriate holder but also noticed that there was a blackened bulb in one of the other holders so he popped a new one in that as well. This is the holder that is behind the red reflector section of the light fitting, as below:


Last night I went for a spirited drive down the stunning local lanes until it was way past dark and noticed a bright red glow from the rear end. The 21w bulb inserted behind the reflector was glowing brightly like a brake or fog light.

Today I've removed the offending bulb and all is back to normal. Reversing lights, side lights, indicators and fog lights are all good. Certainly for my car wiring the holder behind the reflector is connected to the side light power so in theory I could run two 5w sidelights in the rear light cluster. Anyone else ever noticed this issue?

[stevoj]

Yes, that is a side light, well on mine anyhow, there are two side lights each side.

Change it for a 5w bulb.

[adam quantrill]

If you had a 21W in there it might not have done the wiring too much good.

Unfortunately the fuses aren't chosen to protect the harness properly! I had a sidelight short to the 21W brake light inside the bulb and it ended up with the wiring getting knackered.

In the end I had to snip the sidelight wire and join it onto the boot light.