I noticed today that my 3rd brake light lens is broken. I do not remember anything hitting it so was wanting to know if anyone else has had this problem or heard of this happening.

Thank you in advance....

Exposed

 

This happened to me twice! I don't know how it happened since the light is somewhat protected by the spoiler. Have the dealer replace it.

 

I noticed mine was cracked in two spots, both about 1/2" long from the bottom edge up. I pointed it out to my local dealer and they replaced it gratis when I had the car in for an annual low mileage oil change in January.

HOWEVER...according to the Bentley manual in order to replace the lens the spoiler must be removed, if so equipped. The black rain gutter now has a small gouge/scratch in it, below the spoiler. The tech probably slipped with his screwdriver, so if they do this repair check it good. I can live with this, as it is very small and you won't notice it unless I pointed it out.

Good luck...

__________________________________________________ ____________

'03 IB/W, MC, CVT, 1&2, chrome, parcel shelf, Alta stubby, official first aid kit and warning triangle in the boot! GGJ 382C

 

Thank you for the answers to my question. I will get it fix next time I am close to a dealer as both, Seattle and Portland are a 3-4 hour drive, as the Mini flys.....

Thanks much,

Exposed

 

I was looking around on ebay and remembered this post.

someone is currently selling all 3 brake lights on ebay.

here's the link.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33716

 

I found another

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33716

both are currently at $20.00

 

Yeah, mine broke too. It looked more like a cobweb style crack more than anything, but the dealer just replaced it for free... no biggie

 

The third brake light is accessible through about 4 screws in back of hatch. No need to pull off spoiler.

I replaced my stock red with a clear lense. Looks hot!

 

It's actually 3 torx screws in the boot on my MINI. And because I have a spoiler, I found it impossible to remove the light assembly once all 3 screws were removed and the light assembly was loosened...unless I removed the spoiler first. I couldn't get it to "tip out" at the top, and clear the edge of the spoiler.

Anybody else try it?

 

MCS - Light comes right out even with the spoiler.

MC - If you have a spoiler it needs to be removed or at least lifted on one side. When I had myMC I had to remove it to work on the light.

 

Mine cracked,dealer replaced it no questions asked:smile:

 

Add another one to this list. On my '06 S, it had a crack from top to bottom right in the middle. My guess is that the center torx screw was cranked down too hard from the factory.

The dealer did replace under warranty, but after some amount of BS discussion about how a rock could have possibly hit it. Yeah, I drive in reverse on the highway all the time! Also, they would not listen to reason and insisted the spoiler must come off, until they finally looked at it. Good thing I insisted on speaking with the tech BEFORE they attempted the replacement or I could have been in for a much longer visit at the dealership.

Also the technician informs that this happens all the time, a common failure.

 

I just noticed mine is broken as well. If I bought mine from a third party the warranty still carries over, correct? It is an 06 MCS. Thanks guys!

 

I have an 03 model and recently noticed the lens is gone. Maybe the glue fails after a certain amount of time.

I don't want to replace the entire 3rd light, but I don't see any other way around it.

 

I just purchased an '02 with no lens. I suspect it leaks. I'm debating a dealer replacement at $130 (said he sold a few this week!) or an ebay clear lens at $100. My experience with ebay lighting is they can be pretty crummy...

 

Just found out mine is missing. Appears to be just the lens. Must have been over the past year or it wouldn't have passed inspection. Dealer wanted $190!
I don't think so.

Moss Mini has LED lights for $57, has anybody used them?

-Jim

 

First check to see if the LED's are still working on your current one....
When my lens popped off....the LED's inside were fine....I found a lens...no LED's from a vendor, used, and just used a few drops of epoxy to attach the used lens to my current LED's. No problem......Cost about 30$, and 1 hour of my time. The S can be done without removing the spoiler.
Check with anybody that does black-out installs....many people install a new clear or smoked lens and reflector, and they reuse the leds....so some places have spare 3rd light around, sans the LED's.
I got mine shipped to me from WayMotorWorks.com, a vendor and great provider of parts and service!!
A local auto parts recyclers ....(junk yard) or anyplace that parts out wrecked/damaged cars might have a MINI around to get one cheap too!!

 

Just went this route a couple weeks ago. I got the black/clear lens version and it looks pretty good against the black roof. To install you'll have to detach the wiring harness from the existing light and solder it to the connectors on the new light. After that, it pops right in and you're good to go. $190 is pretty ridiculous for a replacement.

 

Yes, the Moss Mini replacements are much cheaper than the OEM option. Works good for me.

 

When i bought mine the lens was cracked (and the light was not functional)
I just ordered a replacement Black/Clear version from MossMini.

I wonder if the OEMs are cracking due to some sort of flexing that is going on..

 

Mine got torn off in a car wash. Got one from Moss MINI that was better made than the OEM one and replaced it myself in about an hour. Did not need to remove the spoiler.

 

I also got the MossMini LED light. when i attempted to install mine it would light up.checked all fuses but none were blown. just left it in place till i have a chance to try again. now i realize I probably just need to reverese the wire. it didnt occur to me because the plug off of the OEM light only fit one way. we'll see if thats the case when the GF gets back from here weekend trip. anyone else with the mossmini light have that issue?

 

Does your car have the wire harness or did you have to do the solder? Lucky for me, mine had the harness; I had my husband do the actual unclipping and clipping of it because I was afraid to pull the original one too hard, and I was afraid to push the replacement one too hard--- I am always afraid of breaking stuff.

I am pretty sure the harness/clip/plug part only fit one way; I did not have a problem with it working.

 

mine has the wiring harness thats why i didnt think twice about the directions (since you are right, it only fits in one direction)

from the installation instructions:"Test the lights by having someone applies the brakes. If the LEDs do not light up, reverse the wires. The LEDs will only work if connected one way."

we'll see on sunday if a reversal of the plug will get it to work.

since the car was driven without the lens for some time, the old light had a good amount of oxidation due to rain and moisture getting into the unit. too bad the previous owner didnt at least put a piece of tape over the light to keep moisture out.

 

So it turns out that the MossMini light had the + and - reversed. I reversed the wires in the stock wiring harness and that did the trick. with my black roof, i think this black/clear Light looks great. Also, its seems very bright at night, but that could be because im not used to having that light.

I also wired in the $19.95 flasher unit from http://www.3rdbrakeflasher.com/ and it works perfectly! i wired it at the light because wiring near the drivers side taillight would have required me to unbundle the wires there and that could have gotten messy. Its a pretty cool unit in that it has 36 modes and works with both led and incandescent bulbs.
Id definitely recommend this flasher unit.

next id like to change my left and right side brake lights to led