Need some help here. I have read almost all the threads I could find related to my tail/running lights issue and not one of them directly deals with my issue so I am asking for advice. I had to change out the tail lights assembly today and bought after market ones. These assemblies have three (3) bulbs in them, one on the top for running lights-middle one is for turn signal and the bottom one is for running and stop light. I put new bulbs in each assembly since the originals have been there for about 10 years and I thought it would be good to start with fresh ones. I checked the lights before and after reinstalling the assemblies and all the lights worked except for the top running lights on both sides. Plugs on the assemblies are on tight so I do not believe that to be the problem. I tried to find a fuse for the running lights and didn't fine one. I was told that I might have a circuit problem and I have no idea how to check that out so if anyone knows please share it with me. When I step on the brake pedal the bottom lights on both assemblies light up so I know I am getting power to them and the turn signal but not the top running light. Is there anyone out there that would have a clue as to why this is happening. I do not know if I have had this problem before installing the new assemblies or not because no one has ever said my lights were out. One more comment, sometime back I did install the pulsar unit on my third brake light but again no one ever said anything to me about no lights.

 

What exactly did you check? Are you talking about your old light assembly?

The top bulb in a 2004 factory taillight is the rear fog. It does not light up unless the rear fog option is enabled in your car and there is a toggle switch to turn it on. 2002-2004 taillights are different from 2005-2006 taillights. Do you know which year your aftermarket light was meant to replace? Can you give a vendor link to the lights you purchased?

 

After replacing the "old" assembly and I put new bulbs in I turned on the running lights and they did not come on so I switched the bulbs again and got the same result. The assemblies were grounded just to make sure they would work.

I could not find anywhere in the owners manual about the top light being a rear "fog" light so how did you know about this and shame on MINI USA for not letting the owners know about thit so we wouldn't go crazy trying to figure out why the top light would not come on. My limited knowledge about rear "fog" lights is that they need to be mounted low to the ground so cars following you can see them and if they are mounted high they would not be a visible and that is why front fog lamps are usually mounted low to the ground to get under the fog.

Here is the link you requested for the assemblies I put on my car; http://www.ebay.com/itm/121184629328...S:3160&vxp=mtr

Thanks for your input and let me know how you knew about this.

 

It's in the Owners Manuals of 2002-2004 (rear fog was moved to the bumper starting in 2005). It was well known among MINI owners of that era, and discussed frequently in the forums. A popular modification was to make to top bulb operate as an extra brake light.

 

My owners manual does not have any model year printed on it but I did look inside mine and found the only reference to having rear fog lamps. It showed an illustration of the toggle switch being located next to the front fog lamps switch which in my case the option was not taken advantage of so I have a blank panel where the toggle switch would be. I did not find any info like what you have provided for me to look at so there must have been different manuals issued. Anyway, a friend of mine told me that he had the same issue with his MINI and his solution was to use a jump wire between the top bulb (running light) and the bottom bulb which is used as a running light and stop light combination and it worked and gave him no problems. I am not sure I want to do that so I will have to think about it. It does seem a little strange to me to have a top running light but doesn't work unless you install the optional rear fog lamps. Well now I at least have an answer to my question and many thanks to you for your help. Happy Thanksgiving!!

 

You mentioned that a popular modification was to make the top light as an extra brake light, are you able to tell me where I might find those steps necessary to make this happen?

 

Simplest is to use a paperclip....as a jumper...not sure where the posts are...last cars you could do this to were 2004....
I will caution you...since the wire from the bcm($$$) to the unused rear fog is still intact...it can ( over the longer term) back feed, and burn out parts of it( this or perhaps the fact the bcm was suddenly trying to light 2 extra bulbs...so I suggest useing LED's for the extra bulbs...remember the bcm very much like an audio amp in that it takes a tiny computer signal and amplifies it, so ohm's/resistance/wattage matters... ...so some kits were sold for a bit that included a diode or resistor prevent back feeding... Limiting the risks..
Not saying don't do it...just know the risks to your wallet.

 

What does "bcm" mean? I am not sure I would take a chance on costing myself more money just to have the top light operate like an additional stop light. Is there a way to make the light work as a running light only and do no harm to the "bcm". The top light is a single filament bulb so this could be used as the running light without having to use LED's?

Thanks so much for your input.

 

BCM=BODY CONTROL MODULE....
the mini, like most modern cars uses this computer to control all non-engine functions...
It generates all the lights, etc...the days of multiple relays and switches are over...every year fewer and fewer are around...your car is bacicly a big computer with 2 data networks...the bcm is where the signals from the network is made into things we interact with...brake lites, blinkers, etc.
"Safe" way like I said a few kits were once sold that had a blocking diode or resistor to prevent back feeding....but most folks just diy'ed it.
Think...add two bulbs...you are DOUBLING THE LOAD...nothing is free...switching to a pair of LEDs in the top makes the increase marginal...

 

Could I use a jump wire to tag the top light with the "running" light wire on the bottom thereby not using the top light as an additional stop light saving me possible problem down the road?

 

Same issue, whether brake or running light. You'd be using two bulbs on a circuit that was meant to drive one bulb. Just put an LED bulb in the top socket. It is simply replacing one light bulb with another.

 

So let me understand this completely. I have to use a jumper wire from the top running light to the bottom combination running/stop light with a single LED bulb and I shouldn't have any problems with the BCM? On the LED bulb do you have a number for it or where I can find one in case I move forward with this?

 

Mike, please use the serch function before posting. I found this thread 02-04 Fog/Brake light Mod in little under 5 minutes, and while I realize we are used to being a "fast-food society", I can't express how important it is to seach first and ask later.....Thank you.

 

Gray Raven, I cannot thank you enough for providing the information on how to do this slick mod. I did try searching for this info and I must not have put in the correct wording to find this link so a BIG thank you for helping me out. Now that I see how easy it is to do this I will give it try with my new after market tail light assemblies.