BMW E30 How to Make Your E30's Sidemarkers Blink
This is the wiring procedure to make your sidemarkers blink. When your parking lights are off, the sidemarkers will blink at the same time as the turn signal. When your lights are on, it will make your sidemarkers blink alternately with your turn signals. Not only does it look cool, but it helps to alert other drivers as to when you are making a turn or lane change. Safe and effective.
Items/Tools Needed:
Flathead Screwdriver
Wire Cutters
Razor Blade
Length of wire, approx. 6" long (4 pieces, for a total or 24”) - 14 Gauge wire is good.
Wire stripping tool
Electrical Tape
Front Sidemarker Procedure:
Remove your sidemarker assembly by inserting a flathead screwdriver into the little slot in the side and pressing it in until the sidemarker pops out.
Pull back the black rubber wire covering, and cut the BROWN wire (negative) about 2" from the sidemarker assembly.
Use electrical tape to cover the end of the BROWN wire which leads back into the car. Use the wire stripper to strip the 2" long BROWN wire attached to the sidemarker assembly.
Pull on the wire assembly from the front turn signal. You'll probably have to reach through the sidemarker hole to get it. I couldn’t pull it out that far, so I had to work on it while it was still inside the bumper. Rather difficult, just use some patience.
There are 3 wires in this assembly, you want to use a razor blade to strip a 1/2" long section on the BLUE wire connected to the turn signal. Be careful not to cut the wire completely.
Take the 6" long 14 gauge piece of wire (strip both ends) and attach the 2" long BROWN wire from the sidemarker to the stripped spot on the BLUE wire of the front turn signal.
Repeat steps 1 to 5 for the other front sidemarker.
Back Sidemarker Procedure:
From inside the trunk, remove the assembly holding the tail light bulbs by unscrewing the black knob 270 degrees.
Pinch both sides of the Black Connector to remove it from the rest of the tail light assembly.
I had to strip one of the wires leading into this Black Connector. There should be 5 wires of various colors leading into the Black Connector. Maybe 6 if your car has rear fog lights. On my car, I had to use a razor blade to strip the wire (probably blue) which was FARTHEST from the inside. So, in the left taillight assembly Black Connector, it was the wire in position #1. In the right taillight assembly Black Connector, it was the wire in position #6. You will see how the wires slots are numbered on the Black Connector itself.
Look for the thick BLACK wire under the trunk liner, coming from the side trunk wells. If you follow it, it will lead to the rear sidemarkers. In my car, it ran right up through the taillight assemblies. In this thick BLACK wire are 2 smaller wires. Cut the smaller BROWN wire completely, and put some electrical tape on the end leading back into the car.
Strip the end of the BROWN wire leading to the read sidemarker.
Use the 6” piece of wire to connect the BROWN stripped wire from the rear sidemarker to the stripped section of wire on the Black Connector. Cover connections up with more electrical tape.
Put back the Black Connector, and replace the bulb holder assembly.
Repeat steps 1 to 7 on the other rear sidemarker assembly.
hope everyone tries this, it's pretty easy!!!
Items/Tools Needed:
Flathead Screwdriver
Wire Cutters
Razor Blade
Length of wire, approx. 6" long (4 pieces, for a total or 24”) - 14 Gauge wire is good.
Wire stripping tool
Electrical Tape
Front Sidemarker Procedure:
Remove your sidemarker assembly by inserting a flathead screwdriver into the little slot in the side and pressing it in until the sidemarker pops out.
Pull back the black rubber wire covering, and cut the BROWN wire (negative) about 2" from the sidemarker assembly.
Use electrical tape to cover the end of the BROWN wire which leads back into the car. Use the wire stripper to strip the 2" long BROWN wire attached to the sidemarker assembly.
Pull on the wire assembly from the front turn signal. You'll probably have to reach through the sidemarker hole to get it. I couldn’t pull it out that far, so I had to work on it while it was still inside the bumper. Rather difficult, just use some patience.
There are 3 wires in this assembly, you want to use a razor blade to strip a 1/2" long section on the BLUE wire connected to the turn signal. Be careful not to cut the wire completely.
Take the 6" long 14 gauge piece of wire (strip both ends) and attach the 2" long BROWN wire from the sidemarker to the stripped spot on the BLUE wire of the front turn signal.
Repeat steps 1 to 5 for the other front sidemarker.
Back Sidemarker Procedure:
From inside the trunk, remove the assembly holding the tail light bulbs by unscrewing the black knob 270 degrees.
Pinch both sides of the Black Connector to remove it from the rest of the tail light assembly.
I had to strip one of the wires leading into this Black Connector. There should be 5 wires of various colors leading into the Black Connector. Maybe 6 if your car has rear fog lights. On my car, I had to use a razor blade to strip the wire (probably blue) which was FARTHEST from the inside. So, in the left taillight assembly Black Connector, it was the wire in position #1. In the right taillight assembly Black Connector, it was the wire in position #6. You will see how the wires slots are numbered on the Black Connector itself.
Look for the thick BLACK wire under the trunk liner, coming from the side trunk wells. If you follow it, it will lead to the rear sidemarkers. In my car, it ran right up through the taillight assemblies. In this thick BLACK wire are 2 smaller wires. Cut the smaller BROWN wire completely, and put some electrical tape on the end leading back into the car.
Strip the end of the BROWN wire leading to the read sidemarker.
Use the 6” piece of wire to connect the BROWN stripped wire from the rear sidemarker to the stripped section of wire on the Black Connector. Cover connections up with more electrical tape.
Put back the Black Connector, and replace the bulb holder assembly.
Repeat steps 1 to 7 on the other rear sidemarker assembly.
hope everyone tries this, it's pretty easy!!!
BMW E30 How to Make Your E30's Sidemarkers Blink Up
Read also:
- BMW E30 resetting the Service Indicator light
- BMW e30 Full-OBC Retrofit
- Starting E38 engine operation from the auxiliary power supply
- BMW E30 All-red Tail Lights
- BMW E30 replacing the SI board batteries
- BMW E30 M30 AFM Upgrade
- BMW E30 cleardot Sport Seat Reupholstering
- E36 STARTER SERVICE
- BMW E30 Window Trim Removal
- BMW is recalling certain Model Year 2009 Z4 30i and 35i

