Need help with facelifted tail lights!

[TheNorv]

I just installed my facelifted taillights and i found some problems. When my car is running, the left side has both the top red light and bottom red light on. And when i brake, the bottom red light shines brighter. But on the right side tail light, when the car is running, only the top red light is lit, and when i brake the bottom one is lit. What might be the problem? And does anyone know the solution? Thanks!

[x5fromOz]

The bulb in the bottom light is a twin fillament type. The fillament for the tail light (5watts) has blown so when you put your foot on the brake the brake light fillament (21watt) glows....OR.... you have put a single fillament bulb in the bottom light (brake light hole) and this only illuminates when you brake.
See how this goes...compare the bottom bulb with the one in the other light cluster.
Cheers

[TheNorv]

Yea i just realized that the bulb was out on one side. Does anyone know the bulb type for the brake light. All i know is it's a dual filament 5/21 bulb. I bought my lights from ebay and each side came with different kind of bulbs.Thanks!

[Sudesh]

Facelifted X5's have what is know as the celis crystal jewel tail lights. But remember the new tail lights have whats know as brake force lights which means one section of the tail light, lights up under normal braking but, in emergency braking another section lights up also!! Here is what it says and a pic from the brochure.

[TheNorv]

Yeah i noticed that. But the only reason my lights are wacko is cause one of the dual filaments brake bulbs had blown out. So it only lit when i was braking and not when it was just running. I just need to know the brake light bulb number for a dual filamtent 5/21 bulb.

[XXX55]

Hi, can somebosy post a side by side comparison of the new and old tailights? I really can't differentiate them. Also, someone told me that I should have the Brake force tailights. But is there a way to test if it really works? I tried stepping lightly and full force on the brakes while the car is stationary but my friend told me that it's just the same.

[Sudesh]

Originally Posted by XXX55

Hi, can somebosy post a side by side comparison of the new and old tailights? I really can't differentiate them.

Have a look at this thread it may help??

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...-pictures.html

[XXX55]

i just checked the link you gave me but I really can't tell the difference aside from the clear signal light markers hehe .

Sudesh, do you know if there's any way to test my brake sensitive tailights while the car is stationary? Thanks

[Sudesh]

I'm not sure other than you would need someone in your X5 and someone at the rear, then just press hard on the brake pedal to see if the tailights work like in the pic I posted above!! I think the difference in the facelift tailights compared to the prefacelift is that they are just a bit clearer/sharper look.

[TheNorv]

Alright so i changed my bulbs on my taillights, but the problem still occurs! I have no idea what to do. Do you think it could be the wiring? Or possible the taillight connection? with the bulb? The 21 watt lights but the 5 doesn't.