OEM Clears -- Need Some Help!

So I've had the front and side turn signals oem clears for awhile now, finally decided to go ahead and wasted some money on the rear set (oem).

Following the DIY on this site, got the inner clears on no problem. Then started on the outer lights (turn signal, brake, etc.) Started on the drivers side one. Got it removed got the clear one in, but when it came time to put the bulbs back in. The little black dial that you turn to screw the bulb housing in turned but the threads did not mesh. So after messing with it for awhile took the whole tailight clear out and compared it to my old stock one. I couldn't see a difference.

So I decided to go ahead and try the passenger side, same problem, again compared the two and visualy could not see any difference between the old and new tailights threads or overall construction.

I just did the DDE install last night, I didn't think this would be harder,

Any help would be appreciated. I would think they are the wrong ones, but there is no visual difference at all, and why would BMW make different sized threads?

Note: This is for the outer tailights not the inner ones on the trunk lid.

Thanks,
Matt

I believe it has to do with one of the nubs on the bulbs. I remember it being an issue for some people. I'm sure someone will verify this for me. I didn't have the problem.

Thanks for the heads up man. Anyone know what I need to do to correct this problem?

Didnt you get new bulbhousings ( the black bit with the bulbs and screw) with the clears ?

They are different for clears and non clears

Originally Posted by donnaleeao

Didnt you get new bulbhousings ( the black bit with the bulbs and screw) with the clears ?

They are different for clears and non clears

No new bulb housing...why would they be different? I did get new bulbs though

I have an 04 sedan if that helps?

The housing is different to prevent you from using a clear bulb with the clear lenses, it forces you to use a amber bulb.

Amber bulbs have different pins from clear bulbs

dont know if this will help but when i installed mine they wouldnt go in either. i looked at it closely and saw the carpet in the way of something. Check it out, it was just a small flap that was keeping it from going in.

Originally Posted by donnaleeao

The housing is different to prevent you from using a clear bulb with the clear lenses, it forces you to use a amber bulb.

Amber bulbs have different pins from clear bulbs

Did you try to use the clear ones because these won't fit. You have to use the amber ones or just get silvervisions

just sand the little pin down. it will fit. i put clear ones with my clear sets.

Originally Posted by konijay

just sand the little pin down. it will fit. i put clear ones with my clear sets.

Sorry for my ignorance, but what pin?

Originally Posted by donnaleeao

The housing is different to prevent you from using a clear bulb with the clear lenses, it forces you to use a amber bulb.

Amber bulbs have different pins from clear bulbs

I was able to replace the clear bulbs with amber bulbs no problem, pins matched up. The problem I am having though is just screwing the damn housing into the back of the clears. I should only be replacing one bulb w/ amber, correct?

Carpet isn't the problem, it's the damn bulb housing that wont screw in. but thanks, that is what I thought it was at first.

Originally Posted by SollyD

dont know if this will help but when i installed mine they wouldnt go in either. i looked at it closely and saw the carpet in the way of something. Check it out, it was just a small flap that was keeping it from going in.

Damn, anyone? I've done various searches and this problem has been brought up before, but in all the threads no one has had an answer. Maybe that will change?

Could you possibly take pictures if you're really are stumped...there must be SOMETHING preventing them from going in correctly. The OEM one's have gray, long pegs that are useless and need to be removed before installing. No one knows why they come from the factory like that. I ran into this issue when I installed mine a while ago and there are many posts concerning this issue. So, check to make sure the gray pegs aren't preventing flush contact between the corner piece and the outlet. If there are pegs present, snap them off with a pair plier (hopefully this was the problem, otherwise ignore all this.)

I have changed LOTS of cars to clears

The clears have a different part number for the bulb carrier ( black plastic with bulbs)

You must order the bulb carrier that fits the clear lenses

The clears and stock tailights are exactly the same there is not a single difference. I will have to find out tomorrow about the different bulb housing. Everything does match up though, bulbs slide in, but the screw on the back of the bulb housing will not mesh when turned (on both sides). I checked bavarian auto (where I ordered them) and they do not mention any other parts that need to be ordered with the tailights (they usually do). Guess I will give them a call tomorrow. They included four amber bulbs 2 with pins that match the current bulb holder and then two with pins that don't, any ideas?

Thanks guys,
Matt

Originally Posted by Brad323i

So, check to make sure the gray pegs aren't preventing flush contact between the corner piece and the outlet. If there are pegs present, snap them off with a pair plier (hopefully this was the problem, otherwise ignore all this.)

The grey pegs near the power outlet? I think I might know what you are talking about. Going to go check this out.

Well just ran down to my car at 1am snapped off one of they grey pegs slid the bulb housing into the clear tailight and screwed it in, finally! Can't believe I didn't think of this 8 hours ago.

Thanks a lot to everyone for their quick responses and attempts to help me. Very much appreciated!

Matt

Great

So obviously the one part number has the peg, the other doesnt

Usually here outside the USA we just order the front or rear KIT that has everything in it ( lenses, bulbs, bulb carriers ect ect )

Originally Posted by donnaleeao

Great

So obviously the one part number has the peg, the other doesnt

Usually here outside the USA we just order the front or rear KIT that has everything in it ( lenses, bulbs, bulb carriers ect ect )

I'm assuming that I should just have one bulb that is amber colored? my kit did come with 4.