Parking Lights / Turn Signal Project

[lilcphoto]

As well as my Rear Tail Light Project I also scored a set of 5 Parking Light/Turn Signals. My goal is to fabricate something along the lines of euro with perhaps LED's. Although that project is quite a ways off (I do not have access to a suitable space to work on these projects.) I do have a few questions regarding the factory setup.

First: I see online there is a complete Parking Light / Turn Signal but does not list the gasket separately. Out of the 7 that I have, only 3 of those gaskets are in good condition. Does anybody know of a safe way to freshen them up? most of them have cracked and crumbled to pieces, but the few that I do have are still somewhat plush. I would love to keep them in good condition.

Second: Out of the 7 that I have 4 of them have an offset bulb placement (the one on the left of the photo) and on 3, the bulb is centered and look much more modern (on the right of the photo). Does anybody know the differences between the two? Perhaps a year change that this occurred?

Lastly: I am trying to separate the lens housing from the amber plastic. Does anybody have experience with this? is it glued on, or just fitted snug? Like I mentioned in the first paragraph, I plan on molding new lenses, so I don't mind breaking them off, but it would be nice to keep them intact.

[bluedevils]

I believe they are bonded to frame, you may have to cut them. BTW, if you can come up with a nice product you will be in the business (Euro Signal Lights) in no time, $$$$. As you may already know, there are 100s of fellows looking for reasonably priced Euro turn/signal light kits. Good luck and please keep us informed.

[BLUNT]

Here are the gaskets readily avail.

63138454110

63138454111

[Timmer]

For the gaskets you have that are still relatively good; you'll want to use

something similar to what you would use to keep door gaskets/seals in good shape, something like glycerine, you can still get it through BMW, comes in a tube I believe. Don't know what the difference could be with the bulb placement though, maybe as you mentioned, year change. You used to be able to buy replacement posts years ago, through BMW, the posts that the wire ends feed into; fellow I know that used to work in the parts dept of a local BMW dealer, 1980's, mentioned this to me back then but back then the complete units were about $35 or so

Tim

[autobon7]

I believe they are bonded to frame, you may have to cut them. BTW, if you can come up with a nice product you will be in the business (Euro Signal Lights) in no time, $$$$. As you may already know, there are 100s of fellows looking for reasonably priced Euro turn/signal light kits. Good luck and please keep us i

nformed.

I would be one of those fellows....good luck

[lilcphoto]

Here are the gaskets readily avail.

63138454110

63138454111

Good to know, thank you. I will definitely look into the glycerine, or other methods to keep rubber intact. It never ceases to amaze me how easy it is to think outside the box and come up with alternatives to these solutions. Rubber is rubber, and can be treated as such. It is also a great thing to know that the gaskets can be had separately if the method fails.

I am definitely excited about a euro turn signal mold. It seems fairly straight forward, though I have not had any first hand experience with the Euro styles so I am not entirely sure of their form. Perhaps when I start the process I might find someone willing to let me cast theirs. I will definitely keep everyone informed.

[ray_]

This stuff is good for preserving...

http://www.amazon.com/einszett-914806-Gummi-Pflege-Rubber/dp/B004B8GTQG

GL with the project!

[jessiejake02]

I was able to seperate the lens from the frame/housing by putting them in the oven @120 degrees for a few minutes. came out without breaking the lens.

Jake.

[lilcphoto]

I was able to seperate the lens from the frame/housing by putting them in the oven @120 degrees for a few minutes. came out without breaking the lens.

Jake.

Thanks! Will definitely be trying this out.

[lilcphoto]

I have to say, tearing apart those turn signals and giving them a refresh is definitely worth it in my book. They seem to shine far brighter than they use to. If you do it like I did and drill out the rivet holding the bracket to the lens, make sure to hold onto those spacers (front is smaller than the rear). I just used a hot glue gun to position them where they need to be so when you screw everything back onto the car it won't crack the lenses.

Also; Did you try and ground the wires on the back of the dash to fix the intermittent dash flash, but it didn't work? Try tackling the ground at the Parking Lights / Turn Signals both in the front and the back (Locations: fronts are the actual mounting screws for the lenses, rear is underneath left tail light (square tail)). That seems to be the fix my dash light needed to continue flashing.