I am rebuilding a wrecked 240 dl 1988 to be specific. The car got totaled out over a busted headlight (thanks Progressive I hope you are raped by dogs.) The inspector checks horns, headlights, blinkers, tires, tailights, tag lights whindshields and brake lights. As everyones 240 tailights one of mine was busted out. I changed the taillight with a junk yard part from a 240 with four headlights, basically a older model before 86. My question in a nut shell is what is the tail light pattern and, brake light pattern for the 198? and 1988. The older headlight(early eightys) brake light pattern is different. Is the circuit board different? The circut board on the busted tailight is ruined. Help I don't know how picky these inspectors are, but I am assuming the worst. From Georgia if that helps.

Just in case you decide to go for a new one of the correct type, consider the aftermarket cheapies may (MAY) get you by inspection, but almost certainly will cause you grief soon after. Especially after a rainy night in Georgia. Insurance companies are all after your money and then they want to keep it.
--
-K (hope springs eternal)

Panzer82 -

First, is that panzer as it German tank?

The change in tail lights caught me, too. I got a nice clean light off a 1984 to put on my 1986. Surprise! Short job became a long exercise in making the darn thing work using junk & stuff found in BGVPD. Jerry-rigging.

First off, the circuit boards are different. If you have them from the original lights, clean them up and use them. Must have part numbers beginning with 6.

Second, the light pattern is somewhat different.

The lower outer lights are dual filament in the 1986+ sedans. Those bulb holders have three tabs, and need the 1157 type bulg. In order for the left side lower outer to fit ionto the older light housing you will have to cut off one or two of the little sharp pins that help locate the circuit board. That, and the correct circuit board, and you should be good to go...on that side.

The right side is another animal. When yuou put that lower outer three-tab bilb holder into the lamp housing, even with the correct circuit board, the tabs don't touch the right places on the B-board,

BTW - note that the white three-tab holder goes on the right side, black on the left.

Somewhere in the Archives is a lengthy post by me giving details of how to make the pre-1986 light work in a 1986+ car. Do what you can to find that, then come back and post if you can't find it.

Meanwhile, put the white bulb holder in, and look at the tab that points toward the top of the license plate. That contact is on the wrong conductor, but the correct one is nearby. You must prevent the tab from touching the wrong place, and put in a jumper that lets the tab contact the correct place. My method uses scotch tape, and the demolition of a bulb holder.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)


Forgot you wanted the light pattern.

upper outer - turn signal.
upper center - reverse light
upper inner - fog light, switch near headlight switch, must have headlight on.
lower outer - tail light and brake light.
lower center - no light.
lower inner - tail light.

Yes. The panzer is a German tank, I post on bmw320i as panzer82 ...so I posted as panzer82 on brickboard so not to forget my username. Thanks for all the help. my lower outer acts as a brakelight and my upper inner acts as a brake light. My bottom inners work as a taillight. Sound good enough to pass? turn signals work high center brake light works. Thanks again tell me if you thing this sounds good enough

Vell, Herr Panzer -

Hmmm, wonder if there's a Swedish work for tank? Panzer makes sense for a BMW.

What you have is a tail light pattern that will probbly pass inspection.

Are the circuit boards the old ones? With the 3 x x x x x part number?

What happens when the fog light switch is on? As I recall, that light circuit won't energize unless the headlights are on and low beam. By 1988 the fog lights could be lit up when the headlights were on, either beam.

If you choose to go after a "real" 1986+ right side tail light, go for a good used Volvo unit, not the New! Made in Estonia! things seen on eBay. I looked for a 240 sedan on eBay as a "Parts Car" and asked the seller about it. Got some good ones, too. Finding one in a junk yard is possible, not probable. Look on the lenses for the circle Volvo date-made mark. No circle = not Volvo.

Good Luck,

Und Vatchout fur das poliezei!

Bob

:>)

Hi there,

Wait for B.C.'s reply. Bob knows these tail light configurations year by year.
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said.