E39 - Rear Numberplate Lights

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Diary of a Second Hand 15 year old Beamer (Maintenance - Battery Drain included...,
BMW E39 520i year 2000 Engine 1995cc)
M Series.

fig. Boot - Rear Fuse Cluster

Workshop/Diary - Lights

fig. Rear Number Plate Light - External Face fig. Rear Number Plate Light - Internal

13th November 2014 - ok, swapped the rear O/S, (or right) number plate bulb socket unit with the one I took off the N/S for the rear camera and stored away previously, the right number plate light now works. I will have to link in the camera light to the number plate light so both lights work when dip/driving lights are turned on and ideally the camera light will also work independently when having to reverse. Not sure if there will an overload with lights on and having to reverse, will see. Ok, and after a great deal of thought, this was not the solution, I needed to attach an external regulator or separate pillar lights as the camera light will only come on for reverse and I don’t particularly want the camera light to be on when the driving lights are on, so a separate light seemed to be the solution, pillar lights will be needed £2-3 off ebay (see page 26).

25th November 2014 - Today I have received the delivery of a pair of pillar lights for the number plate, to replace the existing factory standard fitting number plate lights, I will fit them when the weather is a little better.

Pillar Lights Fitted (see page for diary entry)

Rear Number Plate Lights
With Fuse 4 out, and the sensors disconnected, I believe the car is working reasonably well with one exception of a rear number plate bulb not working. Checked it out and found a problem with the connector socket unit and or possible wiring. The bulb sometimes illuminates when inserted into the socket and goes off again very briefly, will investigate tomorrow, could be the cause of the battery drain....

Note; Safety - Before commencing with Electrical Work, Disconnect Battery)

Note: The longer the screw thread the better for the nut to be attached if accessible, otherwise if short, superglue may have to used as a temporary solution with Velcro on the numberplate and boot panel.