1st Gen R53 Cooper S Trailer Light Connection

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by coffman300, Jun 28, 2016.

  1. coffman300

    coffman300 New Member

    Apr 25, 2015
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    Im putting a hidden hitch on my 06 s for a bike rack but the bike rack has a led brake/running light on it . Can i just wire it in with the tail light or do i have to buy the 80 dollar harness kit with the converter in it. Im not sure why it needs the converter anyway.
     
  2. Guapish_Fliver

    Guapish_Fliver New Member

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    #2 Guapish_Fliver, Jun 28, 2016
    Last edited: Jun 28, 2016
    You need the converter so it doesn't draw from the electrical system.

    You could try to wire it into the tail lights although I don't think the end result would be good. I'm curious to see what would happen u though

    You also may want to consider different exhaust tips as the OEM configuration will render your trailer wiring uniform.
    Meaning that the 5 or so wires will all become 1.
     
  3. coffman300

    coffman300 New Member

    Apr 25, 2015
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    On any other vehicle you can just tap into the tail lights wiring thats why i dont understand why you cant on the mini. Im only adding one led light and no turn signals. Thanks for your input
     
  4. Guapish_Fliver

    Guapish_Fliver New Member

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    Maybe someone else can speak for the exact reason.

    All I know is a tech at e trailer told me I would have issues without it and it is a necessity. These vehicles electrical systems aren't like the old mans buick and I didn't want to take any chances.

    There's an OEM sticker on the windshield essentially saying that the electrical system is, let's say, "fragile"
     
  5. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

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    The issue is load...or one of them...
    The bcm is kinda like an amplifier..it converts electronic signals to higher levels to drive lightbulbs...the old ways was relays . Issue is if you splice in extra bulbs/grounds you change the impedance and load....and the bcm has partial failures...many folks that did the old "paperclip" upgrade to use the extra bulbs that were unused from rear fogs as extra brake lights learned this....
    Other issues crop up....
    But the typical fix with a modern system is to use the converter rather than to slice and dice or use an adapter harness. Yes...it is Initially more $$, but cheaper and more reliable given some time.
     
  6. coffman300

    coffman300 New Member

    Apr 25, 2015
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    stagecoach nevada
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    Thanks
     
  7. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    I think you'd be OK splicing in one LED, the current draw is small enough that I don't think it would affect the lights signal or BCN.
     
  8. coffman300

    coffman300 New Member

    Apr 25, 2015
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    custom powder coater. started in 1994
    stagecoach nevada
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  9. Guapish_Fliver

    Guapish_Fliver New Member

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    That's a wild looking mini. What aero kit is that?
     
  10. coffman300

    coffman300 New Member

    Apr 25, 2015
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    custom powder coater. started in 1994
    stagecoach nevada
    Ratings:
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    Its the add a bed from ford it just plugs into the receiver. . Not really this is the bike rack i want to use on the mini.
     

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