4 month old 3rd brake light failed!

[desertman123]

Installed this in Dec. or Jan. ECS has already warrantied this and got another one in the mail, which I'm very thankful for.

But this begs the question, what do we do to stop this?

Can I get rid of the springs that hold it in, and replace them with like a rubber bushing?

At this point I don't even care if the new one cracks again, I just don't want it to explode and separate leaving a gaping hole in my trunk.

[Esteban]

Don't know if you've already seen it, but in case you haven't here's Dackelone's DIY third LED brake light replacement thread. There's a helpful bit of advice in there about filing down a metal tab, plus other good stuff that might help.

[Swamp Donkey]

+ 1 for filing down that metal tab. It reduces the stress on the light housing and reduces the likelihood of future failures.

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Don't know if you've already seen it, but in case you haven't here's Dackelone's DIY third LED brake light replacement thread. There's a helpful bit of advice in there about filing down a metal tab, plus other good stuff that might help.

Originally Posted by Swamp Donkey

+ 1 for filing down that metal tab. It reduces the stress on the light housing and reduces the likelihood of future failures.

Mine was already filed, indicating the previous owner had already replaced the tail too

[1and1]

STOP slamming your trunk...

damnit....

my '09 is on it's original 3rd

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by 1and1

STOP slamming your trunk...

damnit....

my '09 is on it's original 3rd

My '11 too, but it's got a crack in it. As far as I know it had the crack when I bought it. It's never fallen out so I don't care. Will replace it when it does.

[minirips2]

My first 128i had a cracked 3rd brake light. I bought it in Florida. When I replaced it, I saw that the trunk lid had been filed to accept the newer part. So much for the 'improved" unit.
My replacement 128i is an Ohio car, and has the original brake light. I'm wondering if the high heat of Florida and other locations is a factor here. Perhaps the assembly is glued together in a nice, cool, air conditioned factory, then when exposed to higher temps builds pressure inside and fails?

[Horigan]

When you install it, don't crank the screws all the way down. There are springs on the screws to maintain tension sufficient to compress the seal. Any more than just a little spring compression will overstress the plastic.

[minirips2]

Originally Posted by Horigan

When you install it, don't crank the screws all the way down. There are springs on the screws to maintain tension sufficient to compress the seal. Any more than just a little spring compression will overstress the plastic.

There's a newer style spring with less tension than the originals, also. I'm not sure if that really helps. It looks like D-man's light failed where it's bonded. Mine was just cracked in several places. His looks like a manufacturing defect where not enough adhesive was applied to the lens, or maybe wasn't clean when assembled and disbonded.

[Yeineken]

Originally Posted by 1and1

STOP slamming your trunk...

damnit....

my '09 is on it's original 3rd

This right here solves the problem. I always catch the trunk and close softly. I always cringe when my gf slams it shut.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Yeineken

This right here solves the problem. I always catch the trunk and close softly. I always cringe when my gf slams it shut.

Yep, mine closes super easy. No need for force.

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by minirips2

There's a newer style spring with less tension than the originals, also. I'm not sure if that really helps. It looks like D-man's light failed where it's bonded. Mine was just cracked in several places. His looks like a manufacturing defect where not enough adhesive was applied to the lens, or maybe wasn't clean when assembled and disbonded.

It started off as vertical cracks about an inch from the edge on both sides. Then after a few weeks the lens just started lifting. When I installed it, I tried keeping the nuts loose but still snug, and made them as equal as I could, but here I still am.

I do wanna grab some of these softer springs, the ones on here are really really stiff for a light lol.

[zx10guy]

As others have stated, don't slam your trunk. I was given this warning early on by my SA. He said BMW will warranty the light once but if it happens again, I'm SOL. I'm still on my original 3rd brake light since buying my car new in January 2014.

I also get pissed off when I have to go through secure facilities where the gorillas inspecting my car slam my trunk. Now if possible, I just park my car outside of the facility and walk in.

[tock172]

Do you guys use the handle on the interior of the lid to close to the trunk?

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by tock172

Do you guys use the handle on the interior of the lid to close to the trunk?

Yes, I always use the interior handles, and pull it down gently and let it close. No reason to slam it.

[JimVonBaden]

Originally Posted by tock172

Do you guys use the handle on the interior of the lid to close to the trunk?

Yes, but push the last few inches from the outside. I don't slam mine. No idea if it is original, I have only owned it a few months. It is a BMW light with 84K miles on it. I have used it for 3K miles, and the trunk a lot.

[ShocknAwe]

Mine was fine until some ahole rear ended me. Always use the inside handles and just give it a light tap on the license plate to seal the deal.