Brake light alert

[330i Lover]

All of a sudden when I started my 04 330i ZHP tonight I noticed the brake light was amber and the amber alert icon is in the middle of the instrument cluster. When I have the e-brake pulled up the brake light turns to red in color, when I release the e-brake so that it's not engaged it goes back to amber in color, but the amber brake light stays illuminated.

Can someone point me in the right direction of how to troubleshoot this? So far I've driven the car twice since noticing the alert and nothing else seems awry. I dd a quick google search but only saw brake sensor replacement part for around $10. Is that the culprit?

[330i Lover]

I just just went back to the car, that's been off for the last 30 mins, and now the light is gone and everything is working as normal. (heavy sigh). Is this the part that could be going bad? "Brake Light Switch / Stop Light Switch for BMW 330i e46 part 61316967601"

[BCS_ZHP]

Have had this occur on two different ZHPs, one fixed itself and the other needed brake sensors at the master cylinder ($800-ish). Check this thread:

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?5220-DSC-amp-Brake-light-both-Yellow

[330i Lover]

The ABS light wasn't coming on for me, it was the brake light and the center warning light.

[az3579]

You need to have the codes read. It could mean a few different things.

sent from my Droid Turbo

[330i Lover]

Right, I have a code reader ready for it but this morning it never went off. :fingerscrossed

[az3579]

Right, I have a code reader ready for it but this morning it never went off. :fingerscrossed

I don't think a generic reader will read it. I thought those only read SES codes?
This one isn't an SES code. Give it a try and see what happens.

[330i Lover]

Rgr, I drove it again tonight and it came on during the drive but went away again. Sometime this week I should be able to see what it says. The airbag sensor also came on for the first 60 seconds or so as well, I wonder if that has anything to do with the recall that we were notified of over the last few months?

[az3579]

Rgr, I drove it again tonight and it came on during the drive but went away again. Sometime this week I should be able to see what it says.

This codes stores a fault, even if it goes away. Reading the codes is still an option even if the light isn't illuminated.



The airbag sensor also came on for the first 60 seconds or so as well, I wonder if that has anything to do with the recall that we were notified of over the last few months?

Unrelated. The issue with the recall only happens when the airbag deploys.
It's probably a seat belt pre-tensioner or an occupancy sensor, the two common causes for an airbag light. Once again, have it read.

That's the beauty of a more modern car; it actually stores codes to be read later.