3rd Brake Light

[Willem Tell]

Hal Boyles from the 2002FAQ made up a nice 3rd brake light assembly for '02s. He responded to a request from E9 owners and just came out with a unit shaped to the E9 winshield.

It's a good fit. Not much more than a folded paper in gap from edge to center.

I used some left-over 3cm closed-cell foam as a stand-off.

It's almost impossible to cut a clean edge on such a thick piece of foam, so I used fiber tape to dress the edge:

It comes with about 2 meters of wire attached, so I was able to fish it under the elephant skin.

My tail light needs a reflector rehab, and I ran out of time to make the connection,

but the mounting turned out well. I have it offset from the window about a CM, rather than flush against the window. That way I don't need adhesive on the glass and no vibration tapping.

To order the brake light unit, contact Hal on the FAQ:

halboyles - BMW 2002 FAQ

www.bmw2002faq.com

I will wire in a flasher unit as on my Tii - Three short, three long, then constant ON; instant ON, no delay.

12V LED Controller Box Flash Module Universal Motorcycle Car Brake Stop Light

Only US$10.99, buy best 12V LED Controller Box Flash Module Universal Motorcycle Car Brake Stop Light sale online store at wholesale price.

usa.banggood.com

Sad what people used to do to install a sound system!

It just occurred to me that this would be an excellent use of three left-over pieces of heavy sound insulation!

 

[Ohmess]

That is very similar to what I did, except I used a Chevrolet part with a small block of wood underneath.

GM Chevy Third 3rd Cargo Brake Light Lamp Smoke OEM 16" | eBay

3rd Brake Light/Lamp. Factory OEM. Very light surface scratches.

www.ebay.com

I drilled a hole and ran the wiring straight down under the light so it is not visible from above. From outside, it is very unobtrusive, except that when I step on the brakes is it pretty bright. Not an elegant solution - I missed out on the led strips along the top of the window Andrew made -- but I don't want to get rear ended in my baby.

 

[Mike Goble]

In line with my dedication to keeping my Bav all BMW, I used the third light out of a later E28. I built a pedestal of hard foam and wrapped it in fine Corinthian leather appropriated from the back seat of another BMW. The angle of the window is very similar between the E3 and E28 so it fits quite well.

 

[adawil2002]

I used to make the Stealth 3rd Brake Lights out of LED strips affixed to the inside rear window rubber.

 

[JMinPDX]

I used to make the Stealth 3rd Brake Lights out of LED strips affixed to the inside rear window rubber.

I have one. One of my favorite upgrades. It’s the only way to go IMHO.

 

[teahead]

Pretty cool.

I was considering using a CSi rear panel with fog as a 3rd brake light.

 

[adawil2002]

Pretty cool.

I was considering using a CSi rear panel with fog as a 3rd brake light.

Fog light location is not as effective, needs to be mounted high where people are used to seeing them. Parcel shelf or top of rear window.

 

[steve in reno]

I used to make the Stealth 3rd Brake Lights out of LED strips affixed to the inside rear window rubber.

And wasn't there a write up and showed pics of parts and assembly , mounting.
It was a good project. I also didn't get Adawil's. Mistake.

 

[Stevehose]

Ditto

I have one. One of my favorite upgrades. It’s the only way to go IMHO.

 

[adawil2002]

These are easy to make, if interested send me a PM and I'll send instructions.

 

[Drew Gregg]

Willem and I were the first to buy Hal Boyl's 3D printed brake light. Several months ago I got Andrew's light bar info for the top of the rear window,but couldn't find the red neon light strip. I helped Hal measure the angle needed to make his light. The angle of the light is correct, but the curve is too flat to allow the supplied clear 3M double-sided tape to attach the light-tight to the glass. I could also slide a folded piece of paper between the glass and the brake housing, even after filing both ends of the mating edges. The light needs to be tight to the glass to prevent the bright LED red light from reflecting back on your rearview mirror at night. The photo will show how the tape is now only holding the light to the glass in 2 spots on both sides of the top edge. I think putting a double layer of tape across the middle of the top edge should allow contact in a longer part of that top edge. The LED light is very bright and should help drivers see the car. Hal has also made a 3D printed light for the 2002.

 

[Stevehose]

Food for thought, putting the 3rd light up as high as possible puts it closer to line of sight of today's SUV driver.

 

[Drew Gregg]

Correct thought, Steve. Note that Hal Boyles told me he also has the 3D printed LED light made for the top of the back CS window like the one I bought for my 2002. I decided not to run the wires in the window gasket and down the "C" pillar.

 

[Willem Tell]

Food for thought, putting the 3rd light up as high as possible puts it closer to line of sight of today's SUV driver.

That is ideal. On my Tii, I couldn't get the adhesive strip to "stick" for more than a day, so I contrived these clips from normal large paper clips to grab the interior roof line.