Hi all, I have another problem with my 1999 218iS.

I need to replace the high level brake light, due to the disintegration of the red plastic around the fixing screws. Simples I thought. Buy a new one, disconnect the old one and fit the new one........oh foolish child!

As you can see from the photo below, the connector is a long way from the back of the unit.


So off comes the hatch's top interior liner, in the hope it would be easily accessible underneath. Nope, two bolts, which I assumed are for the spoiler, and a round piece of tape over a hole.


So I peel back the tape to reveal the connector.


After a bit of a struggle, I managed to extract the connector, which revealed what appeared to be a foam grommet around the cable.


After more fiddling and cursing, the 'grommet' won't budge, so I throw a tantrum and attack it with a modelling knife! It's clearly not a grommet and appears to be reinforced with fabric mesh. All it reveals is an oddly shaped hole with the cable disappearing into the spoiler. There's no way the connector will fit through there!


Ok, I'll remove the bolts and try to lift off the spoiler. Again, nope. It didn't even begin to budge, so I assume the spoiler is partly attached by double sided sticky foam?


So how on earth do I actually replace the light? Can anyone help?????

UPDATE! I've just noticed there a FOUR bolts holding the spoiler on!

In the downloads section - '200 (R3) Workshop Manual - Electrical'. Section 20 shows how to remove and refit the light, looks like you have to remove the spoiler so you're on the right track.

That's perfect. Thank you for the advice.

Now why didn't I think of that!

Well done

How's the tailgate harness?

They start to break the wires inside the body-to-tailgate harness where it bends.

I replaced mine and had the old one repaired, if you need it

GTiJohn wrote: ↑Tue Jul 28, 2026 3:54 pm Well done

How's the tailgate harness?

They start to break the wires inside the body-to-tailgate harness where it bends.

I replaced mine and had the old one repaired, if you need it

Thanks to SteveB for suggesting the Technical Downloads Section. I think I'll be dipping into it more often now that I've used it once. I'm less likely to forget about it. A really useful resource for mechanical thickest like me.

I assume the harness is ok, as the old light was working..........it just kept dropping out!

Thanks for the offer John. It's nice to know there's a back up if required.

As soon as the gasket set arrives, I'll post some more photos.

The download section's a brilliant resource, there's loads of useful stuff in there. I've used it a few times, saved quite a bit of trial and error!