I figured I'd post this here too, from the electrical mod section, cause it applies here too...

__________________________________________________ ____________

Ok Guys, here it goes, my first DIY article...

Installing a pre-04 Backup Light On a 2005 MC

Heres a list of the parts you'll need:

-8mm Socket
-Wire cutters/crimps
-Flashlight
-wire (I used 16 gauge)
-16-14 .187 Female Quck Disconnects (#85446)
-16-14 Quick Splice (#85464)
-electrical tape
-MINI backup light

Step One

Lay out your tools and make sure everything you need is there.

[size=2]

[/size]
Next, fold down the seats and pull out the parcel shelf and set it aside. Lay your tools on the seat backs. Fold up the carpeting and remove your tool kit. Your going to want to hold the carpet back from getting in your way, i simple tucked the corners past the seat latches and it seemed to hold it prety well.

Step Two

Ok, time to start taking stuff apart. Drop out your spare tire and pull it out from underneath. Take off the driver side access cover from the 1/4 panel cover. You will need to reach in and disconnect the main tail light plug. it has a button on the underside of the connector. push it in and pull. You should have enough slack to pull it out to work on it. The wire you need to tap into is the nearest to the outside of the car.



It is blue with a yellow stripe. Tap into that wire with your quick splice connector. Now you have power.

Step Three

Now you need a ground. There is a good place to tap into for a ground right on the other side of the access hole.



Remove the nut from here and either wrap the wire around the stud, or, get yourself a connector that is made to slip over a bolt or stud, like i have here.

Step Four

Now you will need to route the wire out to the exterior. I had trouble with thit at first, but I think this way will work well. Remove the cover that cover the latch for the boot. Pop the three plastic clips across the bottom and then remove the weatherstrip from acrodd the bottom of the boot opening.







pop the four clips across the top of the cover and pull it off. Measure about 4 feet of wire and then clip it off.



Take the newly cut end of wire and fish is behind the 1/4 panel cover and it will pop out where the cover for the latch was at. Pull out the slack.

Step Five

You will need to pop out the drain plug in the bottom of the tray for the tool kit. Poke a hole thru the plug and pull the wire thru it. Run the wire into the hole in the floor and push the drain plug back in. Tape the extra wire down the to floor.

Step Six

Remove the plastic block off plate from the bumper by pushing it out from behind. pull the wire thru the opening and trim it where theres about 2 inches coming out of the hole. Spread the wire apart and put a Female connector on each of your wires.



Now, make sure to put plenty of electrical tape on each connector to make sure no water will get in there.



Take a look at the light. When you look directly at the plug, with the light facing down, and the positive connection is on the right.



Plug in your wires. Wrap more electrical tape around the wires coning out to give it a good seal from the elements. When your done, simply pop it into the bumper and your alomst done!

Wraping Up

Ok, now to finish up, make sure you test your new light before you reassemble everything. When its all working, put your spare tire back in, replace the latch cover, put your weatherstrip back on, drop in your tool kit amd clean up! You now have a 2005 MINI Cooper with 3 Backup lights and no more tacky black off plate!!! Enjoy!

 

Thats a nice job there.


I have an 04 with what I think it a horrible location for a reverse light.

 

yeah, i was just sick of seeing that stupid black plate where the light should be.


besides, i see the fog light as almost as pointless as the cupholders in the car hehe

 

Nice job!

Gotta say tho, it is great having the rear fog light in the fog and any inclement weather, really makes the car more noticable with its brake light intensity. Another beneficial use is on persistant tailgaters :smile:

 

Is your black plate for sale?

 

nice job, and nice write up, but question. is it that effective? light seems kinda low to the ground to help out when backing up...

 

Sure, name your price.


Yes, it does make a difference with backing up, it lights up alot more area than the stock 05 lights

 

You know, I always have wondered why they changed the reverse light locations, but still didn't get rid of the old spot. Seems weird to me.

 

Um, I've been looking for an hour, I can't find the spare tire!

Good write up, I have just found my next weekend project!

 

I'm not sure the intention is to light up the ground for you as you back up, but rather to make it more noticeable to those around the car that the backup light is on...

Remember, the location where he put this light is where the backup light is located on all 2002-2004 model year MINIs.

 

Thanks for the write up rednwhite! I did this last weekend since I've had the backup light in my '05 MCS in where the blank plate was for a while, but haven't had the time to take the volt meter to see which wire was the correct to tap for the backup light. My only problem with the MCS compared to a MC, the battery is where the spare is normally. I took the lazy route and just ran it under and out through the weatherstripping instead of removing the battery and going through the plug down there. Works like a charm though. Thanks again!

 

well, i'm glad some people are getting use out of this DIY, Glad to help!!!!!

 

bump

making sure all our new 05 owners get to see this!!! :smile:

 

You may find that by using the connectors you use here that you may get water intrusion(causing a short or corrosion) into the light socket an OEM plug would work alot better. The underside of the body,where this light is located get lots of water spray when driving in the rain. Also, the connection can be quick spliced directly to the taillight connector. The #1 wire is the backup light power and #2 is the ground. If you remove the driver's side taillight you will find an easy routing location, and access to the plug. There are two holes covered with tape from the factory near the back of the car when the light is removed. You just open the hole with knife or screw driver route the wires and reseal with silicone. Then hookup to the tail light connector, backuplight, reinstall taillight and done.

 

yeah, ive since changed what i did from the last time i put the light in. i had it disconnected for a while while i was doing some stereo work.

i sealed the end of the light with some silicone and its now a nice tight seal. if i had to go back and do it again, myminiparts (i think) offers a plug adapter that has the factory connection on the end of some wires so it will plug in just like the factory. its not expensive, 12 bucks i think, i'll get around to it later, mines doing fine so far. when i disconnected the light and unwraped the tape, it was completely dry around the teminals, even after it had rained. i'm confident that just using a generous electrical tape to seal off the opening is plenty, but if you dont have the adapter kit, just drop a dab of silicone on the end, then wrap it up in tape.

 

The Kit sold by myminiparts is made by me, they are full oem connectors that plug in. MYMINIPARTS also sells my brakelightmods.

 

yeah, well that plug would be a nice touch to finish off this mod, but i dont need it right now, my setup current setup works for now. havent had a problem yet hehe.

i'm probably going to get one eventually, would make taking it on and off alot easier lol

 

does anybody know the size of the bulb in this reverse light? I'm thinking of maybe substituting it with an LED version to get a bit more light.

Tyler

 

I run LEDs as my backup lights in the tails and the Minirolls designed one sold by www.myminiparts.com.

The LED is a 1156. I use this one:
http://autolumination.com/images/aut...57white_24.jpg

Very bright!

 

You said it was an 1156 but the photo shows an 1157... I'm going to order the 24LED bulb so if you could please let me know for sure if it's an 1156 or 1157 I'd appreciate it. Thanks...