MINI2

jcsinnh · Jun 27th, 2005, 10:00 AM

I apologize in advance if this is a repeat but I did do a search.....and the good Miniac will get to share this info if he's watching.

I have a 2003 MCS. Linking "ports" 1 and 4 in the tail light cluster gives you an extra brake light. In other words, when you hit the brake, the red comes on both top and bottom of the cluster. A common modification described in detail elsewhere on mini2. And I thank tonymini of the Garden State for that job 2 years ago.

I have a 2005 MCS as well. Wanted to do the same. Opened up the access door and all is different. The plug at the end of the wiring harness is different due to, I suppose, the backup light now in the taillight cluster. Wires going into plug are different, release catch for the plug is different, release for the whole light assembly is different. Yikes!

Or is it me? Any thoughts? I am a technical klutzoid.

Paul · Jun 27th, 2005, 11:19 AM

What are you wanting to do?

Put the modified '03 lights into the '05 car, or modify the '05 lights?

jcsinnh · Jun 27th, 2005, 11:37 AM

modify the 05. Of course I do not want to hit the brakes and have the backup light come on. Although that would

solve a tailgating problem, hmmmm. BTW, Paul, I was a winner at MOT, thanks.

AprilWhine · Jun 27th, 2005, 11:38 AM

John, I think what you want to do is enable the rear fogs as double brake lights? If so, I don't think you can do it in the 05 because the rear fog light was moved. It is now where the backup light used to be.

Am I on the right track?

jcsinnh · Jun 27th, 2005, 02:01 PM

You may just be, sweetums. I didn't order the fogs 'cause I'd put them on appropriately then forget to flip them off (heh!) and the guy behind me would get notably and rightfully peeved as I have done with my pal, C. Winslow.

I await the learned words of Tony from NJ who, I think, has done this on his 05. As I said, hand me a screwdriver and I'll ask you which end to hold. You should see me install an Alta rear sway, though. Got it right side up the first time. Did Fuzzy get his duck?

AprilWhine · Jun 27th, 2005, 04:02 PM

Fuzzy's duck almost flew away. I had to open the sunroof on the freeway and partially stand up to rescue the duck.

Paul · Jun 28th, 2005, 09:31 AM

Should be easy to do if you have the fog, but it's where the reverse light used to be, so not sure if that would be any good. You can swap the lights over (with some wiring fun) if you want the old lights (with brake light overkill mod), but that's not what you want to do.

mini-rolls · Jun 29th, 2005, 07:49 PM

The light in bumper can be used as a brake light. I have developed a jumper kit that has a diode soldered into the wire so you can use the rear foglight if you want and I have hooked this up in about 20 2005 MINI's so far. You must use a jumper wire with a diode no way around it. Also, only works on MINI's built after 14 October 2004. For 2005 MINI's built prior to 14 October 2004, I have built a harness with the OEM plug and connections to hook up a factory light in the rear bumper (brake or reverse, your choice) with 4 feet of wire allowing the harness to be connected to the tail connections at the tail light. I believe that the light is much better than that stupid black cover. For additional information and costs I can be reached at minirolls@msn.com.

rkw · Jun 29th, 2005, 10:24 PM

Backup and brake light kits for the 2005 rear bumper light are available for purchase here: http://myminiparts.com/proddetail.php?prod=MMBLK

If you want to save a few bucks and do the backup version completely on your own, there are instructions here: http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...ad.php?t=40545

mini-rolls · Jun 30th, 2005, 03:44 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by rkw

Backup and brake light kits for the 2005 rear bumper light are available for purchase here: http://myminiparts.com/proddetail.php?prod=MMBLK

If you want to save a few bucks and do the backup version completely on your own, there are instructions here: http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...ad.php?t=40545

Just to let you know a couple of things. The kit sold by MYMINIPARTS is built by me, Peter is a vendor for me. As far as the second on goes you can do this but it is not using the OEM Plug and connectors. Peter will be carrying my harness for early 2005 MINIs also. By all means visit MYMINIPARTS, these items are displayed on the website.

I am not posting this to get rich or take advantage of any MINI Owner. I am a MINI Owner anb the President of of our local group. I posted here because I feel I have something to offer to other MINI owners. My kits are easy to install and do not cost an arm and leg. Everyone that installed my kit is happy with the results.

low4life · Jul 19th, 2005, 08:27 PM

I just purchased the kit from myminiparts and as said above it is an easy install and looks great

Jun 27th, 2005, 10:00 AM	#1
jcsinnh MINI2 Master Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: fools & tools proof Local Time: 02:17 AM Posts: 4,856 Offline	Tail light cluster loop I apologize in advance if this is a repeat but I did do a search.....and the good Miniac will get to share this info if he's watching. I have a 2003 MCS. Linking "ports" 1 and 4 in the tail light cluster gives you an extra brake light. In other words, when you hit the brake, the red comes on both top and bottom of the cluster. A common modification described in detail elsewhere on mini2. And I thank tonymini of the Garden State for that job 2 years ago. I have a 2005 MCS as well. Wanted to do the same. Opened up the access door and all is different. The plug at the end of the wiring harness is different due to, I suppose, the backup light now in the taillight cluster. Wires going into plug are different, release catch for the plug is different, release for the whole light assembly is different. Yikes! Or is it me? Any thoughts? I am a technical klutzoid. Lawdy, Lawdy, the Cross I bear.

Jun 27th, 2005, 11:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
jcsinnh MINI2 Master Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: fools & tools proof Local Time: 02:17 AM Posts: 4,856 Offline	modify the 05. Of course I do not want to hit the brakes and have the backup light come on. Although that would solve a tailgating problem, hmmmm. BTW, Paul, I was a winner at MOT, thanks. Lawdy, Lawdy, the Cross I bear.

Jun 27th, 2005, 11:38 AM	#4 (permalink)
AprilWhine Loves the Fuzzy One Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gypsy Local Time: 01:17 AM Posts: 16,915 Offline	John, I think what you want to do is enable the rear fogs as double brake lights? If so, I don't think you can do it in the 05 because the rear fog light was moved. It is now where the backup light used to be. Am I on the right track? Global Moderator

Jun 27th, 2005, 02:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
jcsinnh MINI2 Master Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: fools & tools proof Local Time: 02:17 AM Posts: 4,856 Offline	You may just be, sweetums. I didn't order the fogs 'cause I'd put them on appropriately then forget to flip them off (heh!) and the guy behind me would get notably and rightfully peeved as I have done with my pal, C. Winslow. I await the learned words of Tony from NJ who, I think, has done this on his 05. As I said, hand me a screwdriver and I'll ask you which end to hold. You should see me install an Alta rear sway, though. Got it right side up the first time. Did Fuzzy get his duck? Lawdy, Lawdy, the Cross I bear.

Jun 27th, 2005, 04:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
AprilWhine Loves the Fuzzy One Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gypsy Local Time: 01:17 AM Posts: 16,915 Offline	Fuzzy's duck almost flew away. I had to open the sunroof on the freeway and partially stand up to rescue the duck. Global Moderator

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Jun 27th, 2005, 11:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 08:17 AM Posts: 40,778 Online	What are you wanting to do? Put the modified '03 lights into the '05 car, or modify the '05 lights?

Jun 28th, 2005, 09:31 AM	#7 (permalink)
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 08:17 AM Posts: 40,778 Online	Should be easy to do if you have the fog, but it's where the reverse light used to be, so not sure if that would be any good. You can swap the lights over (with some wiring fun) if you want the old lights (with brake light overkill mod), but that's not what you want to do.

Jun 29th, 2005, 07:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
mini-rolls VR/W Owner Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Seattle Local Time: 11:17 PM Posts: 51 Offline	It can be done and has been done The light in bumper can be used as a brake light. I have developed a jumper kit that has a diode soldered into the wire so you can use the rear foglight if you want and I have hooked this up in about 20 2005 MINI's so far. You must use a jumper wire with a diode no way around it. Also, only works on MINI's built after 14 October 2004. For 2005 MINI's built prior to 14 October 2004, I have built a harness with the OEM plug and connections to hook up a factory light in the rear bumper (brake or reverse, your choice) with 4 feet of wire allowing the harness to be connected to the tail connections at the tail light. I believe that the light is much better than that stupid black cover. For additional information and costs I can be reached at minirolls@msn.com. Dave MINI-Rolls www.gominigo.com - Gbt and 'Ho Holes' 2005 MCS Cool Blue Cabrio - COOL BLUE MEANIE - President - WWW.PSMINI.ORG

Jun 29th, 2005, 10:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
rkw MINI2 Senior Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Local Time: 12:17 AM Posts: 589 Offline	Backup and brake light kits for the 2005 rear bumper light are available for purchase here: http://myminiparts.com/proddetail.php?prod=MMBLK If you want to save a few bucks and do the backup version completely on your own, there are instructions here: http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...ad.php?t=40545

Jun 30th, 2005, 03:44 AM	#10 (permalink)
mini-rolls VR/W Owner Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Seattle Local Time: 11:17 PM Posts: 51 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by rkw Backup and brake light kits for the 2005 rear bumper light are available for purchase here: http://myminiparts.com/proddetail.php?prod=MMBLK If you want to save a few bucks and do the backup version completely on your own, there are instructions here: http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...ad.php?t=40545 Just to let you know a couple of things. The kit sold by MYMINIPARTS is built by me, Peter is a vendor for me. As far as the second on goes you can do this but it is not using the OEM Plug and connectors. Peter will be carrying my harness for early 2005 MINIs also. By all means visit MYMINIPARTS, these items are displayed on the website. I am not posting this to get rich or take advantage of any MINI Owner. I am a MINI Owner anb the President of of our local group. I posted here because I feel I have something to offer to other MINI owners. My kits are easy to install and do not cost an arm and leg. Everyone that installed my kit is happy with the results. Dave MINI-Rolls www.gominigo.com - Gbt and 'Ho Holes' 2005 MCS Cool Blue Cabrio - COOL BLUE MEANIE - President - WWW.PSMINI.ORG Last edited by mini-rolls : Jun 30th, 2005 at 02:33 PM.

Jul 19th, 2005, 08:27 PM	#11 (permalink)
low4life MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Germany Local Time: 07:17 AM Posts: 9 Offline	I just purchased the kit from myminiparts and as said above it is an easy install and looks great

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