DIY for brake light in rear deck change out

[jcdavis]

I have searched and can't come up with anything. Can someone point me towards a DIY for changing out the brake light that is in the back window/rear deck?

[Lyssa]

It's easy. go into the trunk. Underneath the brake light, on the ceiling of the trunk, you'll see a little plastic door. Pry it off. You will then see the light receptacle... twist it off, pull down, you'll free the light. Pop new light in, reverse steps, you're done.

[defaz]

^ what she said.

[Paintballistic]

It's easy. go into the trunk. Underneath the brake light, on the ceiling of the trunk, you'll see a little plastic door. Pry it off. You will then see the light receptacle... twist it off, pull down, you'll free the light. Pop new light in, reverse steps, you're done.

+1. it's really easy.

[Qsilver7]

I have searched {?} and can't come up with anything. Can someone point me towards a DIY for changing out the brake light that is in the back window/rear deck?

Hmmm, that's easy...the instructions are in your owners manual. :D And if you don't have one...no more excuses...you can download one in PDF format straight to your computer's desktop. Go to www.e38.org/e39 and scroll to the bottom of the LEFT column. If your model year is NOT listed...download the one that is closest to your model year. There aren't that many differences in model years that you can't extrapolate to your model year. :)

http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/q/original/E39%20Trunk%20%20Lamps%20and%20Brake%20Bulbs.jpg

[BayernKiwiBMW]

Speaking of brake lights - my spoiler which has the LED top stopper running across (OEM) flashes when I start the car up but is not that bright.
When I brake the LED with brake lights light up as normal.

Is this flashing normal or is something not right here?

[jcdavis]

Thanks for the info. This is actually for my dad. His lightbulb melted the red plastic cover and he couldn't figure how to get the mess out. He does have the automatic rear sun shade which does take up a bunch of space under the rear deck. I'll forward the information.

Thanks

[Qsilver7]

...His lightbulb melted the red plastic cover and he couldn't figure how to get the mess out. ...
Thanks

Ahhh...that's something totally different. The bulb and the light's assembly are two different things.

To remove the hi-mount brake light housing requires removing the rear parcel shelf...which means the entire rear seat (lower & upper) seat cushions must come off.

As you can see in the diagram below...the housing is secured by a screw/bolt (which is not pictured in the diagram) and a nut (#5)...which again is accessed after removing the rear parcel shelf:

http://www.bmwmobiletradition-online.com/bmw/diagrams/d/p/19.png

(these images below are from a write-up on www.e38.org on how to access the 3rd brake light to change a messed up gasket)
http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/wiggi/3rd%20brake%20light%20before2.jpg

(rear parcel shelf has been removed in pic below)
http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/wiggi/Parcel%20shelf%20striped.jpg

(you can see the (#5) locking hex nut in this pic below...which is removed from inside the trunk)
http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/wiggi/Screw%203rd%20brake%20light.jpg

(3rd brake light assembly totally removed from car)
http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/wiggi/3rd%20brake%20light%20out%20of%20car1.jpg

(rear parcel shelf w/3rd brake light assembly removed from car)
http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/wiggi/Parcel%20shelf%20no%203rd%20brake%20light.jpg

[jcdavis]

Thanks for the detailed info. I'm not at home to check out what my car looks like from that side, but your pics are great. I'll keep you posted as i get more information.

Happy Holidays