MF Mailbox: White Lights Install

Sections: MF Mailbox Aug 6th, 2005 12 Comments

Here’s another question from ever expanding MotoringFile mailbox. This time it comes from Gomotoring.com founder Mark Volger:

This has puzzled me every since I purchased my OEM clear tail lights. MotoringFile has a pdf of the install: motoringfile.com/howto/white_lights.pdf

There is a harness kit part number that is a seperate purchase item. I did not buy it because I was informed it wasn’t really needed on my 04 MCS. The question I have for you is this. What does the wiring harness do or enable? Is it really needed? Any other info you can provide will greatly be appreciated.

Here is how my MCS is configured if any of this makes a difference. I do have the diode mod I do have rear fogs enabled with switch panel, fogs work and the mod works

Puzzled,
Mark Vogler

Since I know this related question will be asked:

Q:Wow, these lights are cool, will they fit my 2005 MINI?

A:The White Lights are only available for 02-04 MINIs. They are not intended to work with the 2005+ due to the new light design. Yes, MINI does have white and red lights for the 2005+ however they are not DOT approved and will not be sold in the US.

Written By: Gabe

12 Comments

Mike Wildman Aug 6th, 2005 Link

The white rear lights can be used on 05 Minis with a very minor mod to the light. I have them ready prepared

David Bunting Aug 6th, 2005 Link

Caveat: I’m a bit fuzzy on this, but this is what I recall from a couple years ago.

The additional harness was necessary if you wanted to have the rear foglight active on the clear tails. Additionally, the circuit board on the clear tails was different and the bulbs may have been soldered in as well.

Mark Vogler Aug 6th, 2005 Link

Dave you are correct as far as the bulbs being soldered and the board being different.

I have rear fogs enabled and working. I did not need the harness installed to do that. Thats my main reason for this question. I have the harness now but don’t want to install it unless it going to give me a function that I need or want.

Rollin Aug 7th, 2005 Link

Can you buy/install only the white third brake light for 2005+ MC & MCS?

Mark Vogler Aug 7th, 2005 Link

Rolin, Check EBAY, I’ve seen just the 3rd brake light on there a lot.

Gabe Aug 7th, 2005 Link

Can you buy/install only the white third brake light for 2005+ MC & MCS?

Yes – the 02-04 and the 05+ are no different when it comes to the third brake light. One of the few places where there’s no difference it would seem!

Gabe Aug 7th, 2005 Link

I’ve recently heard it strengthens the electrical signal, the lights look a little pink w/o it…this just makes it stronger so it looks a bit more red.

John Aug 8th, 2005 Link

Without the harness I don’t think the brake lights don’t meet DOT standards. If you have done brake light diode mod, then you basically have done what the harness would do less any extra current the harness might provide. Also with the harness in place, rear fog lights are an not an option.

Charles Talen Aug 8th, 2005 Link

You can install the white taillights on a 2005 Mini! The 2005 OEM lights have the reverse light built into them, when you install the white taillights on a 2005 Mini the top fog lights act as the reverse lights. I dont know if it is DOT approved, but it works.

Casey Aug 8th, 2005 Link

The harness strengthens the current…but it in itself will not make them DOT approved…to do so you have to install those fugly red reflectors that pretty much NO one does….my dealer actually refused to install the white lights as i refused the reflectors and they couldn’t sell the car with the white lights on but no reflectors as it wouldn’t be DOT approved….so in about 10 minutes at Gabe’s house (staying there while i was in town to pick up my MINI) we had them installed…i have the harness – just never got around to installing it.

Tom Aug 8th, 2005 Link

Going on Ebay – I have seen these white backlights going for as little as 48.00 plus 25.00 shipping. My question is, are these the same quality as MossMINI or Outmotoring? My OEM 2003 backlights have a thin layer of dust in between the clear lense and the colored lenses – is there any way to correct/clean this? It has been like this since I bought it new – very frustrating when I clean it up and look at it during day, but especially at night – you can see the dust within that area clinging to the inter part of clear lense. Any help is very much appreciated.

Casey Aug 9th, 2005 Link

Those are the same factory tail lights….i don’t believe moss sells the pure white ones anymore…just the newer red and white (no amber) ones….all the same. I have never had a problem with the white taillights on any of the three MINIs i’ve owned.

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