dmclaren

Did this ever get resolved entirely? In my early 2008 M5 we couldn't fully kill the brake bulb check as nomis described.

I really hate the idea of resistors, at least on any light that stays illuminated long enough to make that resistor get hot. Last weekend I was in the tinkering mood and put some LEDs for the brakes in my old e39 540. Still didn't fool the LKM, got the error, and one of the resistors gets so hot it freaks me out.

Since I don't really care about futzing up the 540, I'm thinking about trying this kludge fix I made to kill the low beam out message in my old e34 M5. I did it maybe 12 years ago, but it worked and there was no resistor crap to get hot. I left my write up online just in case I needed it:

e34 M5 relay setup

I think the relay is really fast, maybe fast enough for use on brake lights. If so, I might rig this with a regular incandescent bulb tucked away for the system to check. If it still threw an error because it didn't like the LED when it's on, there's an even more lame plan B: skip the relay and try running an extra incandescent bulb wired in parallel to the LED. At least I wouldn't be freaked out at the heat generated by a bulb compared to that searing resistor.

I know, all this for a stupid led brake light, but I am kinda geeking on it.

nomis_nehc

I haven't revisited this since no one else has asked me about it, lol.

With that said, I can disable to check properly if the special brake effects are done.

Alternatively, we could literally try to disable every existing check and see what happens -- although it sounds like a member has tried it to no avail.

dmclaren

Thanks! That's the setup where you use the rods as brake lights, right? Didn't you use the fog (round) light as a brake light? If so, can the fog light be an LED?

Today I bought some relays to try my kludge fix for the brake lights on my e39. If that works, I'll start thinking about how to apply that to my M5. I don't want to do it unless I can do it cleanly, no hack job lol.

nomis_nehc

It would be the rear fogs as brake lights. Yes, that can be LED. I have tried a few LED bulbs for it in the past, but I haven't found one where I like the brightness and color yet. I actually just ordered a set last night, and should be receiving it by this Friday. So I'll see how this set works out.

I imagine that the flashing BFD with LEDs will just look awesome, possibly epileptic inducing, hah.

dmclaren

Now that is ridiculously awesome. I want that!!!

While you're doing thoughtful work, I'll be busy starting my 540 on fire in the garage.

nomis_nehc

Haha, okay, don't do it to your M5 first

dmclaren

How did the BFD work out?

smidley

Can someone provide a link to where I can get the LED brake light bulbs everyone is using in this thread? The links at the beginning of the thread seem to be too old and aren't valid anymore. Thanks.

tsaros

I have a new set of bulbs in my M5, they only trigger the warnings if i stand on the brakes for a while, not fun in stop and go traffic, but its the best i have managed this far without the aid of resistors.