BMW E46 tail light is an essential component of the car, and sometimes it needs to be replaced or repaired. If you want to upgrade your tail light to LED, it’s essential to know the wiring diagram. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide on BMW E46 LED tail light wiring diagram. We will cover the wiring diagram, installation process, troubleshooting, and frequently asked questions (FAQ).
Wiring Diagram
The BMW E46 tail light is composed of three parts: the reverse light, brake light, and turn signal light. Each light has a different wiring process. Here is the wiring diagram for each light:
| Light | Wire Color | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Reverse Light | Green/Black | Positive (+) |
| Brown/Black | Negative (-) | |
| Brake Light | Red/Black | Positive (+) |
| Brown/Black | Negative (-) | |
| Turn Signal Light | Orange/Black | Positive (+) |
| Brown/Black | Negative (-) |
To install the LED tail light, you need to connect the positive (+) wire of each light to the positive (+) wire of the car’s wiring harness. Likewise, you need to connect the negative (-) wire of each light to the negative (-) wire of the car’s wiring harness.
Reverse Light Wiring
The reverse light wiring is the easiest among the three lights since it only has two wires: positive (+) and negative (-). Here is the step-by-step guide:
- Locate the green/black and brown/black wires of the original tail light wiring harness.
- Cut the green/black and brown/black wires carefully, leaving enough wire to connect the LED tail light.
- Connect the positive (+) wire of the LED tail light to the green/black wire of the car using a butt connector.
- Connect the negative (-) wire of the LED tail light to the brown/black wire of the car using a butt connector.
- Test the reverse light by putting the car in reverse gear.
- If the reverse light does not work, check the connections and the LED tail light itself.
Brake Light Wiring
The brake light wiring is a bit more complicated than the reverse light since it involves three wires: positive (+), negative (-), and ground.
- Locate the red/black, brown/black, and brown wires of the original tail light wiring harness.
- Cut the red/black and brown/black wires carefully, leaving enough wire to connect the LED tail light.
- Connect the positive (+) wire of the LED tail light to the red/black wire of the car using a butt connector.
- Connect the negative (-) wire of the LED tail light to the brown/black wire of the car using a butt connector.
- Connect the ground wire of the LED tail light to the brown wire of the car using a butt connector.
- Test the brake light by stepping on the brake pedal.
- If the brake light does not work, check the connections and the LED tail light itself.
Turn Signal Wiring
The turn signal wiring is also a bit more complicated than the reverse light since it involves three wires: positive (+), negative (-), and ground.
- Locate the orange/black, brown/black, and brown wires of the original tail light wiring harness.
- Cut the orange/black and brown/black wires carefully, leaving enough wire to connect the LED tail light.
- Connect the positive (+) wire of the LED tail light to the orange/black wire of the car using a butt connector.
- Connect the negative (-) wire of the LED tail light to the brown/black wire of the car using a butt connector.
- Connect the ground wire of the LED tail light to the brown wire of the car using a butt connector.
- Test the turn signal by activating the turn signal switch.
- If the turn signal does not work, check the connections and the LED tail light itself.
Installation Process
The installation process of LED tail light is straightforward. Here are the steps:
- Remove the original tail light from the car.
- Cut the wires of the original tail light carefully, leaving enough wire to connect the LED tail light.
- Connect the wires of the LED tail light according to the wiring diagram above.
- Install the LED tail light to the car using the screws and nuts provided or the original mounting hardware.
- Test the LED tail light by turning on the car’s ignition.
- Adjust the LED tail light if necessary.
- Enjoy your new LED tail light!
Troubleshooting
If your LED tail light does not work or has problems, here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Check the wiring connections if they are properly connected.
- Check the LED tail light if it’s properly installed and not damaged.
- Check the car’s fuse box if the fuse of the tail light is blown.
- Check the car’s battery if it’s providing enough voltage to the LED tail light.
FAQs
Q: Can I install LED tail lights by myself?
A: Yes, you can install LED tail lights by yourself if you have basic knowledge of car wiring and installation.
Q: Is it legal to use LED tail lights?
A: Yes, it’s legal to use LED tail lights as long as they comply with the local regulations and laws.
Q: Will LED tail lights drain my car’s battery?
A: No, LED tail lights consume less power than traditional tail lights, so they won’t drain your car’s battery.
Q: Can I use LED tail lights in any car model?
A: No, LED tail lights are designed for specific car models, so you need to make sure that the LED tail light is compatible with your car model.
Q: How long do LED tail lights last?
A: LED tail lights last longer than traditional tail lights, around 50,000 hours or more.
We hope that this article has provided you with a comprehensive guide on BMW E46 LED tail light wiring diagram. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment below.
