BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW M5 F90 (2018+) General Forums Cosmetic Modifications    DIY: F90 / G30 LCI Tail Lights Retrofit

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      03-02-2021, 11:03 PM   #1
euro*
.
euro*'s Avatar
Canada
1654
Rep
1,536
Posts

Drives: F90 M5
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Toronto, Canada

iTrader: (8)

DIY: F90 / G30 LCI Tail Lights Retrofit

BIMMERPOST
     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com
In my guide I will be installing USA/Canadian spec Red Tail Lights on USA/Canadian spec car. North American spec cars have 4 pins on inner trunk lid tail lights, while the rest of the world has 5.

Due to North American cars operating on 4 pins, you will NOT need to run 2 extra wires to the passenger footwell BDC, as that's what you might have seen in other guides out of Europe, or Asia.
(Btw running to BDC is a proper OEM way, but you can just do a shortcut, by running a wire from the inner lights, and tapping to the outer lights).

Let's Begin:

Parts that you will need:
I've bought all my parts from an eBay seller Euroactive. Shipping was fast and they replied to msgs almost instantly. Do recommend!

- Outer Left tail light: 63218493813
- Outer Right tail light: 63218493814
- Inner Left tail light on the trunk: 63218493819
- Inner Right tail light on the trunk: 63218493820

- Trim panel water channel Drip rail Left: 63218493821
- Trim panel water channel Drip rail Right: 63218493822
- Tail light finisher, trunk lid, Left: 51499448943
- Tail light finisher, trunk lid, Right: 51499448944



Name:  Image 001.jpg
Views: 33522
Size:  627.8 KB

Name:  Image 0011.jpg
Views: 32683
Size:  518.4 KB

Tools that you will need:
- Tack Lifter screwdriver
- Plastic panel removal tool
- Ratchet with 10mm socket
- 1.2mm flat head screwdriver

Name:  Image 1 tools.jpg
Views: 32293
Size:  182.3 KB

Lets begin on inner trunk lid tail lights:

With trunk open start by removing 8 Expanding rivets:

Name:  Image 2 .jpg
Views: 32235
Size:  416.7 KB

Unlock the bracket for Warning Triangle. Remove the bracket by unlocking 2 clips:

Name:  Image 3.jpg
Views: 32263
Size:  578.4 KB

With the panel removal tool, unclip and then disconnect the trunk lid opening/closing controls:

Name:  image 4.jpg
Views: 32119
Size:  437.6 KB

Name:  IMAGE 5.jpg
Views: 32069
Size:  508.5 KB

Remove the 2 hinge covers, they are held by 1 hidden clip, 1 visible Expanding rivet, and 2 locks:

Name:  Image 6.jpg
Views: 32144
Size:  486.6 KB

Pull the Felt liner towards you, and then there will be 4 more hidden clips towards the edge of the trunk:

Name:  Image 7.jpg
Views: 31927
Size:  629.1 KB

Remove the 2 covers on the side of the trunk (they cover the side of the lights. Start from the bottom, and work your way up to the clip:

Name:  Image 8.jpg
Views: 31824
Size:  375.0 KB

Unplug the inner tail lights, and remove the 3 10mm Hex nuts on each. Carefully replace with LCI tail lights:

Name:  IMAGE 9.jpg
Views: 31820
Size:  307.7 KB

Now we need to re-arrange the pins on the inner tail light connectors.

Unlock the clip on the side of the connector:

Name:  IMAGE 10.jpg
Views: 32008
Size:  269.0 KB

To release each one of the wires from the connector, insert the small screwdriver into the smaller hole to release the pin lock:

Name:  IMAGE 11.jpg
Views: 31659
Size:  269.8 KB

Here is the way the connectors should look like:

Original Left connector:
Pin 1: Blue/red stripe
Pin2: Empty
Pin3: Brown
Pin4: Yellow/Black stripe
Pin5: Empty
Pin6: Yellow/Brown Stripe

Original Right connector:
Pin1: Blue/White stripe
Pin2: Empty
Pin3: Brown
Pin4: Yellow
Pin5: Empty
Pin6: Blue/Black Stripe

Re-arranged Left connector for LCI tail lights:

Pin 1: Empty
Pin2: Yellow/Brown Stripe
Pin3: Yellow/Black stripe
Pin4: Empty
Pin5: Blue/red stripe
Pin6: Brown

Re-arranged Right connector for LCI tail lights:

Pin1: Empty
Pin2: Blue/Black Stripe
Pin3: Yellow
Pin4: Empty
Pin5: Blue/White stripe
Pin6: Brown

Now let's get to the outer tail lights.

Pull back the weather stripping, and remove the drip rails on both sides. Start from the windshield and work your way down. The drip rails are held on 2 clips:

Name:  IMAGE 12.jpg
Views: 31697
Size:  366.9 KB

Lift up the carpet and remove from the car:

Name:  IMAGE 13.jpg
Views: 31623
Size:  539.8 KB

Remove 4 Expandable rivet clips from the Loading Sill cover:

Name:  Image 14.jpg
Views: 31607
Size:  499.3 KB

Pull back the weather stripping around the Sill cover and lift it up. It has another 4 hidden metal clips holding it:

Name:  IMAGE 15.jpg
Views: 31580
Size:  481.5 KB

On each side of the trunk, remove 3 Expandable rivet clips:

Name:  IMAGE 16.jpg
Views: 31511
Size:  467.7 KB

On each side, release the round clip around the hinges and lift it up and away:

Name:  IIMAGE 17.jpg
Views: 31542
Size:  467.0 KB

Name:  IMAGE 18.jpg
Views: 31427
Size:  379.1 KB

Now you can carefully move the trunk trim to the side on both sides, to get to the outer tail light 10mm Hex nut and the connector. Remove the nut and unplug the connector:

Name:  IMAGE 19.jpg
Views: 31406
Size:  310.9 KB

Remove 2 more 10mm Hex nuts on both outer tail lights:

Name:  IMAGE 20.jpg
Views: 31427
Size:  335.7 KB

Now you can install LCI outer tail lights instead, and secure them with the same 10mm Hex nuts.

On outer tail lights, you do not need to do any rearrangements of the pins. They are plug-and-play.

CODING:

I didn't do coding myself. I used Vick from fb.com/bimmercoder or www.bimmercoder.com . His whatsup: +60 12-396 9654 I highly recommend him.

From my understanding nobody has reported on getting these USA red lights to work properly on USA cars before me. We spent hours and hours with different variations. My lights finally work 100% function wise, and no errors: Turn signals, brakes, running lights, hazards, LED reverse lights, all work.

What is NOT working, are the Welcome Lights (the lights that go ON for the first 15 seconds when you unlock your car). Those i had to turn off in my iDrive settings, otherwise they can cause issues if you start your car before they go off.

Hopefully somebody will figure out the Welcome Lights, and I will update this guide. So far from what I've seen, installers/coders in USA are all struggling to get those to work.

Here are the final results:

Name:  IMG_8851.jpg
Views: 32566
Size:  397.4 KB

Name:  IMG_8850.jpg
Views: 35442
Size:  309.5 KB

Here is also a video of how they are functioning:




I hope this guide will be helpful to others! Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Last edited by euro*; 03-03-2021 at 01:21 PM..
Appreciate 49
brava09767.00
skypx60.00
GTATX1104.00
Used2be334.50
Neptune71416.00
Jamesmick131.00
m5 guy1662.00
Jason40322.00
spuntyb4051.50
Dr.Deep1827.00
swampfox941186.50
ghaffari461079.50
F85MTuNED1620.50
ed41341.50
Ryno 27251.50
PetieD 7163.50
r33_RGSport12805.00
Poochie9099.00
dazzapb1045.50
JRod1980391.50
jmack1231298.50
F30Andy1748.50
HKMP7244.00
550bye1388.00
THEROK1266.00
mkizzo207.00
fea222225.50
mtndog116.50
F90M5C154.50
Jocko78103.50
      03-03-2021, 02:26 AM   #2
GTATX
Lieutenant Colonel
GTATX's Avatar
United_States
1104
Rep
1,607
Posts

Drives: 2020 M8 Comp First Edition
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Georgetown TX

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Thanks a lot bud.
__________________
GT
2020 BMW M8 Comp First Edition
2019 Panamera Turbo
2021 BMW X6M Comp
2019 BMW M5
2018 Maserati Ghibli SQ4 GranSport
Appreciate 1
euro*1654.00
      03-03-2021, 05:44 AM   #3
CarFreak
Private First Class
United_States
60
Rep
112
Posts

Drives: 2019 BMW M5 Competition
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Long Island, NY

iTrader: (0)

Spot on instructions as I completed the retrofit with wiring help from Euro and achieved the same results with coder. Excellent work with the write up.

So the coder has some ideas and would like to confirm the wiring on North American cars at the BDC. Could someone open theirs up and confirm the following?

Open connector 5B and check for wire colors at pin 41 and 33? and also at connector 3B for wire colors at pin 50 and 38?
Attached Images
 

Last edited by CarFreak; 03-03-2021 at 06:48 AM..
Appreciate 2
euro*1654.00
Poochie9099.00
      03-03-2021, 06:33 AM   #4
leeadam
Major
leeadam's Avatar
United Kingdom
468
Rep
1,151
Posts

Drives: F90 M5 Comp (Evolve Tune)
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Buckinghamshire, England

iTrader: (0)

good detailed write up, i paid a coder to do mine...looked too complex lol, i however get zero issues with my welcome lights? but such a good mod on pre lci.
Appreciate 4
euro*1654.00
Jamesmick131.00
2JPW55.50
      03-03-2021, 06:38 AM   #5
leeadam
Major
leeadam's Avatar
United Kingdom
468
Rep
1,151
Posts

Drives: F90 M5 Comp (Evolve Tune)
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Buckinghamshire, England

iTrader: (0)

i know in uk we have the slim yellow indicator on ours rather than flashing brake light for turn signal, dunno if that is why i dont get any issues?? ps they dont pulse, its just video speed on bad camera
Appreciate 3
OC_F32118.50
Poochie9099.00
      03-03-2021, 07:27 AM   #6
Used2be
Perennial PFC
Used2be's Avatar
United_States
335
Rep
1,274
Posts

Drives: F90 M5 DG/Aragon
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Michigan, USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by euro* View Post
I hope this guide will be helpful to others! Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you.
Damn! Like leeadam I was intimidated to tackle the possible wiring complications, but now with your wonderfully detailed instructions I’ve found a way to spend more money on the car! Thanks for the posting. The new lights add a nice touch I think.
Appreciate 1
euro*1654.00
      03-03-2021, 09:25 AM   #7
SG_E90
DaZuc
72
Rep
161
Posts

Drives: S65 1M Clone
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: NY

iTrader: (0)

Coding

Add HO-WORD:
HELC

Default write appropriate modules (BDC, HU_MGU, etc)
Appreciate 0
      03-03-2021, 09:34 AM   #8
CarFreak
Private First Class
United_States
60
Rep
112
Posts

Drives: 2019 BMW M5 Competition
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Long Island, NY

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by SG_E90 View Post
Coding

Add HO-WORD:
HELC

Default write appropriate modules (BDC, HU_MGU, etc)
Have you tried this and have it working?
Appreciate 1
      03-03-2021, 12:56 PM   #9
YanoM5
Captain
501
Rep
673
Posts

Drives: 2018 Individual Nardo M5
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: WA

iTrader: (1)

I thought I was done modding my car until I saw this
Appreciate 1
euro*1654.00
      03-03-2021, 01:17 PM   #10
euro*
.
euro*'s Avatar
Canada
1654
Rep
1,536
Posts

Drives: F90 M5
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Toronto, Canada

iTrader: (8)

Quote:
Originally Posted by leeadam View Post
i know in uk we have the slim yellow indicator on ours rather than flashing brake light for turn signal, dunno if that is why i dont get any issues?? ps they dont pulse, its just video speed on bad camera
Yeah lights are programmed to work differently in USA due to regulations. Different sequence for turn signals and brake lights.

With European lights there will be no welcome light issues.
Appreciate 0
      03-03-2021, 01:19 PM   #11
euro*
.
euro*'s Avatar
Canada
1654
Rep
1,536
Posts

Drives: F90 M5
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Toronto, Canada

iTrader: (8)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Used2be View Post
Damn! Like leeadam I was intimidated to tackle the possible wiring complications, but now with your wonderfully detailed instructions I’ve found a way to spend more money on the car! Thanks for the posting. The new lights add a nice touch I think.
You are welcome! They definitely freshen up the look

Quote:
Originally Posted by YanoM5 View Post
I thought I was done modding my car until I saw this
Haha. So far im really enjoying this mod, and I'm sure you will too
Appreciate 2
YanoM5500.50
      03-03-2021, 01:42 PM   #12
m5 guy
Brigadier General
m5 guy's Avatar
United_States
1662
Rep
3,198
Posts

Drives: 2020 M5 Comp
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Hawaii

iTrader: (14)

Awesome write up! This is like a M3 forum now with a proper DIY!

Question about Euro vs American lights. If we used the euro lights would wiring and coding be the same? Would be nice to know the differences if anyone here knows them.

My car is green so yellow/amber blinker lights are more appealing to me.
__________________
2020 F90 M5 Comp Oxford Green Metallic II-Aragon JOURNAL
2016 F10 M5 Space Gray-Black SOLD
2012 E70 X5M Monte Carlo Blue-Silverstone SOLD
2001 E46 M3 Oxford Green Metallic II-Cinnamon SOLD
Appreciate 1
euro*1654.00
      03-03-2021, 04:29 PM   #13
euro*
.
euro*'s Avatar
Canada
1654
Rep
1,536
Posts

Drives: F90 M5
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Toronto, Canada

iTrader: (8)

Quote:
Originally Posted by m5 guy View Post
Awesome write up! This is like a M3 forum now with a proper DIY!

Question about Euro vs American lights. If we used the euro lights would wiring and coding be the same? Would be nice to know the differences if anyone here knows them.

My car is green so yellow/amber blinker lights are more appealing to me.
Glad you liked the write up!

To answer your question. The coder I linked above, had a customer in USA who used Euro lights. Wiring was almost identical, they just needed to run an extra wire on each side from inner tail lights, and tap to the outer ones. Once coded they functioned properly, including welcome lights.
Appreciate 1
m5 guy1662.00
      03-03-2021, 05:24 PM   #14
IND-Distribution
BMW obsessed
IND-Distribution's Avatar
United_States
9548
Rep
10,844
Posts

Drives: G80 M3 / G82 M4
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (3)

Excellent write up!
__________________
IND DISTRIBUTION | 866-963-4520 • INSTAGRAMYOUTUBEFACEBOOKFLICKR
Appreciate 1
euro*1654.00
      03-03-2021, 05:42 PM   #15
Because
New Member
United Kingdom
8
Rep
24
Posts

Drives: M3
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: EU

iTrader: (0)

Nice
Appreciate 1
euro*1654.00
      03-03-2021, 05:43 PM   #16
spuntyb
Brigadier General
spuntyb's Avatar
United_States
4052
Rep
4,977
Posts

Drives: 2019 F90 Competition
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Nice, thank you!
__________________
<b>2023 M5C SRG|Aragon || 2018 Macan GTS</b>

2019 F90 Comp MBB|Black (sold)
2018 F80 ZCP TB|SS (sold)
2015 F30 335 AW|CR (sold)
2015 F31 MG|CR (sold)
2011 E90 JB|Oyster (sold)
Appreciate 1
euro*1654.00
      03-03-2021, 06:15 PM   #17
m3rxn
Colonel
965
Rep
2,120
Posts

Drives: boosted Inline 6's
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Southern Cali

iTrader: (0)

Great write up

thank you
__________________
15 F82 M4,YMB-6MT
17 G30 540i,AW-8spd ZF
24 G82 M4C x-drive, DY-Dakar Yellow ind-8spd ZF
Appreciate 1
euro*1654.00
      03-03-2021, 06:27 PM   #18
OneCleanBMW
First Lieutenant
193
Rep
374
Posts

Drives: E90 M3
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Cold Town

iTrader: (2)

I wish I still had my M5 so that I could do this mod. Epic! Great write up.
Appreciate 1
euro*1654.00
      03-03-2021, 06:35 PM   #19
antzcrashing
Brigadier General
antzcrashing's Avatar
United_States
1875
Rep
3,201
Posts

Drives: 2018 BMW 440i GC
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Eastern MA

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
Thank you for the great writeup. Please post info on the welcome lights when you or others have it. Also, any links to DIY for the software coding portion?
Appreciate 1
euro*1654.00
      03-03-2021, 07:45 PM   #20
euro*
.
euro*'s Avatar
Canada
1654
Rep
1,536
Posts

Drives: F90 M5
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Toronto, Canada

iTrader: (8)

Quote:
Originally Posted by antzcrashing View Post
Thank you for the great writeup. Please post info on the welcome lights when you or others have it. Also, any links to DIY for the software coding portion?
No problem

Yes I will for sure update the guide once the WL function is figured out and is working.

Also, if somebody will send me a solid DIY coding guide that was proven and fully functioning, I will add it also
Appreciate 2
      03-03-2021, 08:46 PM   #21
Blancofire
Private
56
Rep
66
Posts

Drives: 2015 M4
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Deerfield Beach, FL

iTrader: (0)

This is e way a write up should be done! Kudos!
Appreciate 0
      03-03-2021, 08:53 PM   #22
antzcrashing
Brigadier General
antzcrashing's Avatar
United_States
1875
Rep
3,201
Posts

Drives: 2018 BMW 440i GC
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Eastern MA

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by euro* View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by antzcrashing View Post
Thank you for the great writeup. Please post info on the welcome lights when you or others have it. Also, any links to DIY for the software coding portion?
No problem

Yes I will for sure update the guide once the WL function is figured out and is working.

Also, if somebody will send me a solid DIY coding guide that was proven and fully functioning, I will add it also
Even if you can get one that is untested by you just link to it and add a disclaimer. In my case I have coded before with inpa/edibas but not bimmercode so it probably wouldn't be much different, just need to know the codes, process, and expected outputs
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:43 AM.




m5post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST