Help! I've been searching four the last hour and can only come up with three inconclusive posts...
I was just nosing through the dorky cheap mod thread and noted 3 people had non-functioning brake lights. I did the jumper wire mod (no Paper clip) on my 03 MCS when I bought the car new. so far no problem?????

Now I read this could cause a BC module failure. Is this true?

The recommendation was to switch LED bulbs in the upper socket to reduce the load to the BCM. Is this true? Seems logical! Did I just answer my own question?

And last but not least, I've been searching for the bulb# of a LED replace for a 7528 incandescent, but no luck...Any ideas????
Grazie!

 

The rear brake mod can and has caused problem for a limited few owners. If you have had the mod this long I wouldn't worry about it.

Most folks that are concerned about it simply swap the leads going to the rear fogs and either the brake or running lights. That way one set will be on when the lights are on and the other set will only come on with the brakes.

 

I did the jumper wire method shortly after I took delivery in 11/03.
Worked fine until a couple of months ago then POOF! Fried BCM. I pulled the jumpers and went back to stock.

Jim

 

I did the mod with LED bulbs just be safe. The bulbs are not expensive and you can get them at most auto parts stores.

 

I used regular bulbs for a while, then changed to LED bulbs in the upper position just to be safe.

 

7528 is a Euro designation and the US equivalent is 1157. However, it is a dual filament bulb and isn't the top bulb single filament (1156)?

 

I bought the jumpers with diodes in-line and have had no problems since I installed them on my 2003 probably back in 2003 or 2004. Hope my module hangs in there!

 

Thanks people...all good infor. I'm off to to AutoZone to get some LEDs.

jimz68 Might we be bold and ask how much the BCM cost?

 

As I recall, it was around $400 plus labor to install and program.
I also found out that you can't buy a used unit from e-bay and have it re-programed to your car. Ya gotta go new. From what I understand, when the unit is first installed and programed, it burns vehicle specific info to the BCM, which can't be over-written.

Jim

 

Wisdom - use the diodes and you won't have any problem. Had mine for 67 years - no issues at all.