DIY LED Reverse Lights
#1
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This is a DIY for my LED Reverse Lights. Works for LCI and pre-LCI taillights. In this DIY, it was an LCI taillight.
You need to remove the taillight from the car first. Removing the taillight is simple. Just remove the two screws from the panel and then pull. Then there are 4 nuts holding the taillight in place. U can find the taillight DIY anywhere as it has been discussed MANY times.
Picture of actual product
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.34.26.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/88995d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.34.26.jpg)
Connected with resistor
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.34.44.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/88996d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.34.44.jpg)
Let's check the brightness
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.35.07.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/88997d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.35.07.jpg)
Taillight removed
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.35.43.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/88998d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.35.43.jpg)
Unclip the sockets for ALL the bulbs for pre-LCI. For LCI, twist the knob and pull out.
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.36.00.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/88999d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.36.00.jpg)
This is what it looks like when pulled out.
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.36.07.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89000d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.36.07.jpg)
Take a close look of the rubbery foam.
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.36.17.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89001d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.36.17.jpg)
Pull the foam back so u have access
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.36.30.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89002d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.36.30.jpg)
Drop the panel into the hole
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.36.53.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89005d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.36.53.jpg)
Another view of dropping the panel inside
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.37.00.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89006d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.37.00.jpg)
Push the panel into the hole.
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.36.40.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89003d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.36.40.jpg)
Another view of pushing the panel
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.36.50.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89004d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.36.50.jpg)
Pull the mounting clips upwards using pliers
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.39.55.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89007d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.39.55.jpg)
Wrap the mounting clips around so it stays put. You can use ur hands or pliers.
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.41.32.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89008d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.41.32.jpg)
Picture of the socket piece
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.42.07.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89009d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.42.07.jpg)
Socket piece with my custom cable with resistor
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.42.26.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89010d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.42.26.jpg)
Put the foam back in place
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.42.42.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89011d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.42.42.jpg)
Attach the connectors and clip them in place.
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.43.01.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89012d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.43.01.jpg)
Finished!
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.44.15.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89014d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.44.15.jpg)
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.44.24.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89015d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.44.24.jpg)
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.44.31.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89016d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.44.31.jpg)
Make sure you DO NOT rest the resistor on wires. The reverse lights would not be on for hours but safety is still a priority.
Post any questions u may have.
You need to remove the taillight from the car first. Removing the taillight is simple. Just remove the two screws from the panel and then pull. Then there are 4 nuts holding the taillight in place. U can find the taillight DIY anywhere as it has been discussed MANY times.
Picture of actual product
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.34.26.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/88995d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.34.26.jpg)
Connected with resistor
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.34.44.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/88996d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.34.44.jpg)
Let's check the brightness
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.35.07.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/88997d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.35.07.jpg)
Taillight removed
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.35.43.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/88998d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.35.43.jpg)
Unclip the sockets for ALL the bulbs for pre-LCI. For LCI, twist the knob and pull out.
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.36.00.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/88999d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.36.00.jpg)
This is what it looks like when pulled out.
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.36.07.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89000d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.36.07.jpg)
Take a close look of the rubbery foam.
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.36.17.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89001d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.36.17.jpg)
Pull the foam back so u have access
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.36.30.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89002d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.36.30.jpg)
Drop the panel into the hole
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.36.53.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89005d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.36.53.jpg)
Another view of dropping the panel inside
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.37.00.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89006d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.37.00.jpg)
Push the panel into the hole.
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.36.40.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89003d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.36.40.jpg)
Another view of pushing the panel
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.36.50.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89004d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.36.50.jpg)
Pull the mounting clips upwards using pliers
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.39.55.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89007d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.39.55.jpg)
Wrap the mounting clips around so it stays put. You can use ur hands or pliers.
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.41.32.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89008d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.41.32.jpg)
Picture of the socket piece
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.42.07.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89009d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.42.07.jpg)
Socket piece with my custom cable with resistor
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.42.26.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89010d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.42.26.jpg)
Put the foam back in place
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.42.42.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89011d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.42.42.jpg)
Attach the connectors and clip them in place.
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.43.01.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89012d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.43.01.jpg)
Finished!
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.44.15.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89014d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.44.15.jpg)
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.44.24.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89015d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.44.24.jpg)
![DIY LED Reverse Lights-2009_09_01_13.44.31.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/diy-do-yourself-14/89016d1482365517t-diy-led-reverse-lights-2009_09_01_13.44.31.jpg)
Make sure you DO NOT rest the resistor on wires. The reverse lights would not be on for hours but safety is still a priority.
Post any questions u may have.
#2
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I saw John do this to my tails when he put in the LED reverse lights. The technical difficulty of this mod was greater, by far, than any of the other lighting mods John has done to my car (HID fogs, 6000K HID headlights, stealth bulbs, LED interior lights, 8500K GP Thunder AE bulbs).
Yet John somehow manages to make everything look easy.
Yet John somehow manages to make everything look easy.
#4
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Originally Posted by theXman' post='995524' date='Sep 1 2009, 11:30 PM
Great DI, John. Would you get error from the reverse lights if you don't put any resistors?
Yes it will have error message if you dont put any resistors.