I have a 2006 Mini 2-door Non-S. In the tail light assembly, there are three bulbs, and I'm having issues with the middle bulb, which is bulb with two filaments (am I properly calling this a two-stage bulb?).

If I understand how they function, there is a dimmer stage when the car is on, and then a brighter stage when the brake is applied. Without the brake applied, the right tail light is functioning properly is on the dimmer stage. The left tail light is doing the opposite: with the brake not applied, it is the brighter stage, when it should be more dim.

Both bulbs are the proper bulb, but not sure what I'm doing wrong here! The middle bulb in the left assembly burned-out, and I'm wondering if I had the same issue before I changed the bulb, and possibly have a wiring/electrical issue?

Many thanks in advance for the help. Spent hours trying to change the bulbs this afternoon, only to have this !$%^ to happen!

 

sounds like a grounding issue, probably some corrosion in the connector on the backside of the tail light assembly

scott

 

+1 on this. I wound up replacing my bulb holder panel on the driver's side because the electrical connector contacts were so badly corroded.

 

You are correct that it is a two filament bulb, but there is no dimming involved. The two filaments work just like two separate bulbs. One filament is for the running light and the other filament is for the brakes. When the brakes are activated, the circuit will actually turn both filaments on. The base of the bulb has two contacts (one for each filament).

So one filament lights up for the running light, and both filaments light up for brakes.

In your left taillight, I'm not sure why both filaments would turn on from just the running lights. It could happen if the contacts or wires for the two filaments are shorting together,.

 

I know that you already said that you're sure it's the right bulb, but make sure that the bulb you have has offset pins on the sides (one is higher than the other). This is intended to make the bulb only fit in the socket one way, because the two contacts on the bottom have to hit the right contacts in the socket.

 

So i'm finally gettting around to replacing this! I purchased a bulb holder panel, but I'm not sure what number/type the middle 2-stage bulb is. The mini manual just states "21/5W". Can anyone give me a correct Sylvania bulb replacement number (i.e 7156, 7102, etc).

Driving me insane!!

 

For my 2004 MCS the owner's manual said that the wattages for the dual-filament bulb are 21/5. However, when I went to the parts store to buy one I was told that the parts locator shows 25/7, and that is what I got. It has worked fine so far; no evidence that I am melting the housing with excessive wattage. I believe it is a Sylvania 7528. I think that it used to be referred to as an 1157.

 

Thanks for the help. I tried to find that part number (7528), but unfortunately the auto parts store was out. Will try and find elsewhere, and fingers crossed it works.

 

Be sure to change both bulbs at the same time.

 

I would, but the right tail light (passenger side) is not really easy to get to. The inside panel in the trunk is accessible, but it appears an amp is in there, and blocks access to the screw that releases the tail light. Horrible engineering!