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Forum BMW Models 5 Series (E12, E28, E34, E39, E60, E61) 1996 - 2003 (E39)
E39 Common Problems and DIY Fixes US Facelift CELIS - NO BALLASTS!!!!
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03-07-2011, 12:46 AM #1
So, you like the look of the newer LED tail lights but
you've been told they don't work without the official
retrofit kit with ballasts. Well, whoever told you that
was very possibly WRONG!! If your car has a LCM II
(e39s before MY99 that didn't replace the LCM),
you would benefit from the retrofit kit as it's about
the same price as a new LCM (LCM IV). However, if
you have an E39 with an LCM III or newer, you can
simply code your LCM to be the ballast that
everyone charges a crap-ton for.
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- Light Control Module coding via GT1,
SSS/Progman, NCS expert,BMW Scanner v.1.40, or
Autologic (there may be others)
NOTE: if you don't have the coding tools the regional sub-
forums are tools of great value, and you can often find the
computer coding tools you need.
Chassis Bashing:
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Feeling cramped:
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03-07-2011, 01:58 AM #2
Thanks for sharing, I have a set of Celis tails just sitting in my garage right now and a GT1 soon as
it gets warmer I'll follow in your lead.
03-07-2011, 02:14 AM #3
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mattmartindrift,
You are the man dude. Many have "talked" about reporting their findings & promised to document
what they found out about these. But you on the other hand, actually took the time & snapped a
few picts to make a proper & informative DIY article on these. THANK YOU... !
03-07-2011, 06:40 AM #4
I would like to see the procedure using Gt1 or any of the other programs. I am planning on getting
my own software. Would this work for Tourings as well? Wiring them up I mean?
03-07-2011, 07:42 AM #5
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It should. You'll need to cross reference WDS for the wiring, and I'm not sure what wiring
connectors those celis lights use. I'll go to the gt1 screen, but I personally have to use
sss/progman due to my lcm being newer than gt1/dis v.44 (last version that allowed coding).
03-07-2011, 01:55 PM #6
You lost me Matt. I was just wondering where you went in the system(Which ever you used) and
what you told it to do/ignore. My LCM is the newer one I think. Build date 03/99. I have a Dual
stage airbag and newer style connectors on my seats if that has anything to do with it
03-08-2011, 08:38 AM #7
:/
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I knew that the Facelift (FL) Celis lights only had one +12V source for the tail-lamp section;
however, the pre-FL cars had two +12V sources - one for each bulb. So, after seeing that, I
basically, I just rooted around in WDS until I found wiring diagrams for the LCM for both pre-FL
and FL cars. Comparing the two LCM pinouts, I decided to "cap" or eliminate the +12V source that
did NOT show up on the FL wiring diagram.
WDS Navigation:
- Body
- Lighting
- Light Check Module
- Tail Lights
I have attached screen shots of the touring wiring diagrams and a link to the diagram's
symbol/color key.
In your case, you would compare the pre-FL touring pinouts to the FL diagram. Notice that pins
2, 5 and 13, 17 are used for the pre-FL wiring. However, the FL car only uses pins 2 and
17. So, you would find, on the diagram the wire color and cap the wires associated with
pins 5, and 13 of the original lights.
The wire colors are on the diagram usually as XX/YY where XX is the abbreviation for the main
wire color and YY is the stripe that runs the length of the wire. here's a key to the colors (also in
WDS):
http://www.bmw-planet.com/diagrams/r...ld/symbols.htm
Hopefully that helps everyone. If it makes any difference, the wires you
cap are the same for the touring example I gave here, as they were for
my MY1998 sedan.
Attached Images
E39_Tour_LCM.JPG (114.8 KB, 162 views)
E39_Tour_FL_LCM.JPG (100.4 KB, 115 views)
03-08-2011, 11:59 AM #8
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03-08-2011, 12:05 PM #9
I think the PO set up mine like that, with no ballasts and the LCM taking care of the voltage. I've
never found them on mine.
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No, I coded them the way they're supposed to be coded which means no strobing and no check-
bulb errors. whomever coded yours did not do so correctly and/or at all.
Mine do not throw the bulb-out warnings, but they do strobe at ignition. It has always baffled me
how they were installed without ballasts.
I guess they used the same procedure as you, minus the bulb-check disabling.
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I will. Probably tomorrow since I'm using the other car. I bought a Weber carb and I'm still
tuning/testing the hell out of it.
Awesome DIY.
Mods should pin this up!
I ended up snipping the top section you bashed in. Now I have to weld or rivet a piece of metal
back onto the body because one of my tails leaks. A metal adapter I made to hold the lower outer
nut does not hold very well...
Did you do any cutting to the plastic housing on the tails? I went to town on mine.
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Awesome DIY.
Mods should pin this up!
I ended up snipping the top section you bashed in. Now I have to weld or rivet a piece of metal
back onto the body because one of my tails leaks. A metal adapter I made to hold the lower outer
nut does not hold very well...
Did you do any cutting to the plastic housing on the tails? I went to town on mine.
No cutting, however, I did consider filing away at the tail light housing. In the end I chose to keep
the lights un-modified in the case I choose to sell them.
Last edited by mattmartindrift; 03-10-2011 at 11:06 AM.
Part numbers for the un-pinned tail light connector and pre-crimped wiring leads:
had some rain issues. I tapped a little too hard on the passenger side tail light housing. So, all I
had to do, with the light still installed was look where water came through and tap the metal from
inside the trunk to be more flush with the foam tail light seal.
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tHANK goodness mine came with these... will never buy an E39 without them. Nice job !
Are you thinking about doing the xenon reverse bulb mod? I'll have to do some googling to find a
link...
Hi Matt. I haven't forgotten about the picture. Actually I already have them in my camera but I
keep forgetting the camera cable at home. Stupid me.
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mattmartindrift Location:
Posts:
Baltimore, MD
8,412
pompous a*s My Cars: 98 540i6
nope, I don't drive in reverse often enough to justify the cost of that.
plus, the parking lots I frequent (work and home) are lit.
plus, the parking lots I frequent (work and home) are lit.
Lol I saw that mod a few years ago and questioned how the tails didn't melt.
Im all for the mod. Especially a switch for the drivers who love to drive with their high beams on.
Im all for the mod. Especially a switch for the drivers who love to drive with their high beams on.
Yes, I've been wanting HID reverse lights on a switch for the longest time...
Maybe I'll get around to doing it and have the HIDs solely on the witch and keep the regular
reverse lights, might help conserve the bulb life and limit accidental meltings...
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Goodyear
summer-bg.goodyear.eu/
, . !
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