Hello, my first post!

Ive recently bought a 2019 Black MCS and am in the process of blacking it out. I recently installed the black LED side markers (ZL-A41D-1) from Outmotoring.com (https://www.outmotoring.com/side-mar...zl-a41d-1.html) and now my lights are hyper flashing. I researched that I need to install a Canbus resister but WHERE and HOW do you do that? Also, recommendations on which resistors? Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks.

 

Lorraine
Autozone etc etc probably have the resistors of the correct rating - they are connected across the two wires to the bulb - but
It's simpler to replace the LEDs with CANBUS ones. There are thousands on eBay etc for short money.
Check the old bulb number, but I think you need to search for ..... T10 194 CANBUS LED
Autozone etc etc may have those too.

 

Some people code the bulb check with Bimmercode or similar app and a OBD dongle. Never done this for bulb check so don't know 100% if it works. The app itself is useful for other mods to your car behavior.

Make sure you can replace bulbs in those lights. If you could I'd think they would have suggested that instead of a resistor. Not exactly sure why they tell you about the resistor but don't offer them for sale. Pretty poor practice IMO.

 

Minnie
I was going to make a similar comment, but Outmotoring is a pretty good company.
My guess is that these are older units as most, but not all, LEDs are now canbus.

Apparently there are two electrical checks:
One is a general circuit check that cannot be programmed off.
The other is the bulb check which lights up a dashboard icon if there is an error. This can be programmed off.
On recent cars, there is a selection between HID, LED & halogen, but this may only apply to the headlights. My car is 17 years old!

 

You are going to need some wiring adapters, I got them here on Amazon. I purchased the same LED side markers, tried the Bimmercode code route and that didn't work, just get the adapters. I even emailed OutMotoring and they said they would add it to the description as a "may be needed item".


AND welcome to NAM!

 

I coded mine out with Bimmercode.
Well worth the $32 for the app, and $20 for the adapter, as you can customize more features.

 

There you go, Lorraine, three possible solutions!
Thanks, guys.

 

On my other vehicle, that's exactly what I did. CANBUS compatible LED "bulbs" typically have the resistor built right in.

 

Thanks so much for all the advice! Been busy with work and just now got to follow up on this.

I’m leaning towards Bluonyx’s suggestion and have ordered the items. Will post pictures of Theo, my MCS, soon (:

 

As this applies to an issue I'm having I hope no one minds if I jump in. I haven't been getting much response in "Hatch Talk". For my 2005 MCS
I'm doing the same thing [blacking out] and I bought rear taillights off Amazon. [build thread "Bargain $500 Mini"

These; [url]https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008TDB8BU/?coliid=I3UUF7VNN54URT&colid=1D5GRNJ0OXPDL&psc=1&r ef_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

I bought them specifically as they have a ballast resistor already wired in. It came with double edge tape for mounting but as I know they can get hot I screwed the resistor to the inner fender liner.

So I'm getting Hyper-flash, despite the resistor. All the other turn signal bulbs are incandescent and all work.

1. I read where someone said you can't mix and match. I can't see how this could be true as you need a resistor for each LED bulb, and the resistor "fools" the computer into thinking the LED us using as much wattage as an incandescent. True/False?
2. Low battery voltage can cause hyper flash. I trickle charged my 4 moth old batter to float mode and no change. So low voltage True/false?

3. I even tried adding a second ballast resistor inline with the first. No change.

I'm not sure I have the computer skills to get a cord and a program for my laptop [old guy] so are there any other possible solutions?

Thanks
rob

 

So I’m not really knowledgeable about your specific situation but my boyfriend and I just did some research and trial and error with BimmerCode to get rid of the hyper flashing.

We were gonna use resisters but couldn’t find any info about where to mount them safely.

Hopefully, someone else can chime in with some more specific help.

 

[QUOTE=Lorraine Mae;4523140]So I’m not really knowledgeable about your specific situation but my boyfriend and I just did some research and trial and error with BimmerCode to get rid of the hyper flashing.

We were gonna use resisters but couldn’t find any info about where to mount them safely.

Thanks Lorraine,

I'm one heck of a mechanic, and not a complete computer moron, but this "research and trial and error with BimmerCode to get rid of the hyper flashing.", might be where I have to get off the bus... I think I missed the computer generation by 2 or 3 decades.

I was going to go to the led side markers as well but really couldn't' find a good spot to mount the ballast resistor. I got a blacked out looking lens that uses the standard bulb instead.

I also hope someone chimes in about "BimmerCode'. I assume that's a program available online and requires a cable to a laptop?

I bought the Schawaben Scanner, and managed to erase the old codes I was showing then tried to reset the service interval and I think my next oil change is due in 2 million miles...

thanks again,
robj

 

You should start by reading thru the Bimmercode App thread here.

BimmerCode is a Smart Phone app, that is available for both iOS and Android. It connects wirelessly from your Smart Phone to your MINI by way of either a Bluetooth, or a Wifi, OBD adapter.

 

Thanks Walt!

Please forgive my ignorance this is all new, [and potentially Greek to me] I spent the last 25 years restoring old motorcycles and working on boats. Not a lot of computers there.

I would probably be more comfortable using my laptop. Is that possible and I'm guessing I would need a cable. Any recommendation for a cable?

If that's not possible, is this what I need to use my iPhone ? [not sure why the link isn't working but a description of the product is below]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073XKQQQW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_zuFyBb2F9E1E4

Veepeak OBDCheck BLE OBD2 Bluetooth Scanner Auto OBD II Diagnostic Scan Tool for iOS & Android, Bluetooth 4.0 Car Check Engine Light Code Reader Supports Torque, OBD Fusion app

I read the majority of the thread you suggested and there was a ton of comments regarding brake lights, but not much on turn signals and/or hyper flash. Again much of the thread was greek to me but I assume I'll be able to figure it out.

Thanks for your reply,
rob

 

That seems like a reasonable OBD adapter choice. Personally, I have the Vgate iCar one.

While there is software that runs on a laptop, comparatively, it is like 10 times (100 times?) more expensive than Bimmercode.

 

Thanks so much for getting back to me.
This one?

I guess I'll just go ahead and forget the laptop idea. I do have an iPad, assuming that would work?

Figuring I would have to deal with codes, etc... I bought the Schawaben Scanner. I'm not duplicating efforts here am I?

Again, I apologize for being so clueless and I appreciate your input!

rob

 

Yep, that looks like the OBD adapter I have.

You can download and run the Bimmercode app in demo mode, for free. I would suggest to download the app to your iPad, and check it out.

I am totally unfamiliar with the Schawaben Scanner. So, I can't comment either way.

 

@robj is it an R53 you have? Those lights look like R53 lights, if so BimmerCode won’t work with that model mini. I also have an R53 in the stable.

 

Yes, it is an R53.
Thanks for the heads up.
Actually the hyper-flashing may have cured itself. I think it may have been low battery voltage as at the time I had the intake apart to replace the master-cylinder and couldn't start the car. I had a battery tender on it for a few days and when it went into "float mode" seemed to work better and now that I can start the car, it seems good.
Hopefully it stays that way.
Thanks again for the tip.
rob

 

I have the same hyper flashing issue with the exact same led side marker lights and it is always when I first start my vehicle I have to turn on both my turn signals 2-3 times to 'clear' the hyper flashing then they seem to work fine but I just ordered to canbus adapters from the above link at amazon and should receive them sometime in the next week and will update on how they work as soon as I install them...

UPDATE: I installed the canbus adapters that I ordered off of Amazon earlier this week and no more turn signal hyper flashing from my LED side indicators. PROBLEM SOLVED!