Funny brake light problem

[Stigissimo]

Hi lads,

Just realized a funny problem with my brake/tail lights:

-dashboard brake light came on
-when I hit the brakes, the correct (upper) light lights up on the drivers did tail light, but on the passenger side tail the lower light lights up and the top one doesn't. This gives it a funny diagonal kind of appearance when I hit the brakes.

Any idea what it is? I was thinking either a switch or wiring problem, or maybe if the top tail light is out then the current is directed to the bottom. I couldn't really find any literature on this problem.

[E_Rak]

It was interesting to look at last night at least

[az3579]

Replace your bulb. It is probably burned out, and this behavior it's exhibiting now is its failsafe mode.
Swap bulbs to verify.

[Stigissimo]

That's what I thought - smart BMW if they created a failsafe like that. Will replace bulb. Thanks!

[az3579]

That's what I thought - smart BMW if they created a failsafe like that. Will replace bulb. Thanks!

The only reason I know this is because I was digging around the endless coding options and all the "use [x] light for failed brake light" or something like that kept showing up. Way too many options. lol

[Stigissimo]

Funny you mentioned that because I was just scouring the web for different coding options. Too bad I need a SW 4.0+ for triple blink - both cars I drove while I was in Germany had the feature and it made me want it badly.

[ELCID86]

^ several ppl have found 4.0+ LCMs lately (Europe or Canada I think)


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

[FL116]

I will just use this thread instead of starting a new thread. But the passenger tail light light wenton (on dash) and so I noticed that the tail light was dim, so I changed the tail light bulb and it is still dim. Now I don't know to much about lighting and wiring and stuff, so Im hoping someone can give me some input on this. Basically, the passenger tail light is dimmer than the driver side tail light. Thanks

[Vas]

I will just use this thread instead of starting a new thread. But the passenger tail light light wenton (on dash) and so I noticed that the tail light was dim, so I changed the tail light bulb and it is still dim. Now I don't know to much about lighting and wiring and stuff, so Im hoping someone can give me some input on this. Basically, the passenger tail light is dimmer than the driver side tail light. Thanks

Has the tail-light ground recall been done?

[FL116]

I out my VIN in on BMW's site and the only recall that needs to be done still i the airbag recall. But I will double check

[FL116]

Bump. Anyone know what it might be?

[JB3]

Have you replaced the bulb again to make sure you didn't get a faulty one?

The local dealer can also look at the codes on your DCS to verify the taillight recall was done, and give you the dealer info that did it so you can call and see if they replaced it, added a ground, or what.

[FL116]

So I haven't figured out why my passenger tail light is dimmer than the driver side tail light. So I'm thinking about just going ahead and getting clear tails. Think that will solve the problem?

And has anyone bought the clears from Modbargins?
http://www.modbargains.com/Clear-Smo...Taillights.htm

[az3579]

So I haven't figured out why my passenger tail light is dimmer than the driver side tail light. So I'm thinking about just going ahead and getting clear tails. Think that will solve the problem?

And has anyone bought the clears from Modbargins?
http://www.modbargains.com/Clear-Smo...Taillights.htm

No, because the tail lights have nothing electrical in them (you only get the outer lights when you order them, no bulb carriers). If anything, the bulb carriers might be something to look at. Look for corrosion on the bulbs and/or bulb carrier. Have you ever had the tail light ground recall performed?

[FL116]

I checked the recalls on the car and the only one that still needs to be performed is the airbag recall. I will call and find out again if it was done and who did it.

[Vas]

I checked the recalls on the car and the only one that still needs to be performed is the airbag recall. I will call and find out again if it was done and who did it.

Take the back off on your current lights and snap a picture of them. We can tell you if the recall has been done correctly.

[FL116]

Take the back off on your current lights and snap a picture of them. We can tell you if the recall has been done correctly.

Okay. I will do it when I get off work.

[FL116]

I hope this helps, I think this is what you meant.
Photos:
19792
19793
19794

[Vas]

Bryant,

Based on those images it looks like your car has not had the tail light ground recall done on either set of tails. I will take a picture for you just so you can see what it is supposed to look like.

[FL116]

Bryant,

Based on those images it looks like your car has not had the tail light ground recall done on either set of tails. I will take a picture for you just so you can see what it is supposed to look like.

Okay. Looking foward to pics. Thanks

[Vas]

Images below.

As you can see the brown wire is grounded in a different location.

This was the factory recall done by a bmw dealership by the Previous Owner of my car.

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/19/c11a0293b5114929be7baa2bd0ddcc5c.jpg

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/19/672a3c4d1cd8cd1e6d31e6c4f572f551.jpg

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/19/5e51d7bf5d83427d67262e74bc00d238.jpg

[FL116]

Images below.

As you can see the brown wire is grounded in a different location.

This was the factory recall done by a bmw dealership by the Previous Owner of my car.

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/19/c11a0293b5114929be7baa2bd0ddcc5c.jpg

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/19/672a3c4d1cd8cd1e6d31e6c4f572f551.jpg

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/19/5e51d7bf5d83427d67262e74bc00d238.jpg

Yeah mine definitely do not look like that. I will call the dealer tomorrow and ask about it. Thanks Vas :thumbsup

[Vas]

You can also do the recall yourself. Let us know how it goes

[FL116]

Went to BMW today to have the airbag recall performed. Went well. They checked the tail light and said I need a new socket. They said there is no recall for the tail lights for my car. That being said,, anybody know the best place to buy a socket for my passenger tail light? The dealer quoted $250 for it.

[Vas]

Went to BMW today to have the airbag recall performed. Went well. They checked the tail light and said I need a new socket. They said there is no recall for the tail lights for my car. That being said,, anybody know the best place to buy a socket for my passenger tail light? The dealer quoted $250 for it.
That sounds like bs to me.

I would do the recall yourself prior to spending money on the lights themselves.

[FL116]

That sounds like bs to me.

I would do the recall yourself prior to spending money on the lights themselves.

I would do the recall myself, but I have no idea what to do when it comes to electric. If I can get the socket, I can just take it to my indy shop and he can take care of it. He told me he had a 330i come in a week ago with the same issue and he just had to replace the socket.

[Vas]

I would do the recall myself, but I have no idea what to do when it comes to electric. If I can get the socket, I can just take it to my indy shop and he can take care of it. He told me he had a 330i come in a week ago with the same issue and he just had to replace the socket.

Here you go. I followed this DYI.

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?5400-My-E46-Tail-Light-Ground-Fix-doityourself

[FL116]

So I am going to change the socket to see if that fixes it. If that doesn't work, then I will do that DYI

[FL116]

Any recommendation on where to get a tail light socket? Or should I just go to the dealer?

[anandoc]

Any recommendation on where to get a tail light socket? Or should I just go to the dealer?

Tail light holder (left):
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Lighting/Interior/Trunk/ES174649/

Tail light holder (right)
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Lighting/Interior/Trunk/ES174650/

[FL116]

Ordered. Thanks. I will report back once installed to see if it fixes the problem.

[FL116]

Installed the bulb light carrier and all lights work fine now :thumbsup

[330i Lover]

Yay!! Congrats. I was pulling for your victory during the entire thread read. :party

[ELCID86]

Great to hear!


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