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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Cosmetic and Lighting Modifications (exterior/interior) > Light Bulb Check Control Code



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      11-30-2011, 11:20 AM   #1
CosmosMpower
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Light Bulb Check Control Code

How can you tell which light bulb is faulty when you get a check control exterior light bulb code? My car does not have idrive/nav so it doesn't tell me. All the bulbs appear to be working properly. The driver side angel eye is kind of dim/weak but still lit.
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      11-30-2011, 11:35 AM   #2
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Pretty sure that when the error pops up, you can hold the BC button for 5 seconds, and it will give you a code. There's a list of bulb codes somewhere on this forum... I forget where though. But you could always google search when it gives you that code.

What does the error look like? If it looks similar to the low beam logo, then it is low beam error, but if it looks like the tiny bulb icon that's on the front of your light switch, then it's the Parking Lamps/AE.
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      11-30-2011, 11:38 AM   #3
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With your car on or in Acc, once the warning goes away flick the switch on your stalk up or down till you get to "Check Control". Tap the BC button on the end of the stalk. Here you can cycle thru if you have more than one warning. When you're on the one you want to check hold down the BC button for a few seconds until your CC-ID code appears. Then match that number up on this list https://wiki.bentleypublishers.com/d...90+E91+E92+E93
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      11-30-2011, 01:08 PM   #4
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Thanks guys! It's just a picture of a light bulb with an exclamation mark in the middle. I held down the button and it's CC ID 136, left brake light failed.

Looks like it's a H21W bulb. No idea who sells those locally, checked autozone, oreilleys and doesn't look like a common bulb. Do I have to bend over at the BMW dealer?

Last edited by CosmosMpower; 11-30-2011 at 01:24 PM..
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      11-30-2011, 01:47 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CosmosMpower View Post
Thanks guys! It's just a picture of a light bulb with an exclamation mark in the middle. I held down the button and it's CC ID 136, left brake light failed.

Looks like it's a H21W bulb. No idea who sells those locally, checked autozone, oreilleys and doesn't look like a common bulb. Do I have to bend over at the BMW dealer?
I just checked Sylvania, and the brake light bulbs are 921 bulbs.

http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProd...RG-Results.htm

http://www.amazon.com/PDQ-921-Bulb-Q.../dp/B000JHFFQI

The Back-Up/Reverse light is the H21W. Isn't it your tail light that's out?
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      11-30-2011, 03:02 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Trevendous03 View Post
I just checked Sylvania, and the brake light bulbs are 921 bulbs.

http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProd...RG-Results.htm

http://www.amazon.com/PDQ-921-Bulb-Q.../dp/B000JHFFQI

The Back-Up/Reverse light is the H21W. Isn't it your tail light that's out?
Correct, the code was CC-ID 136 which according to the Bentley link shows a rear brake light. The E92 sticky showed that to be the H21W bulb.

Hopefully they are the 921 like you said since those are probably easier to find.

Next question is, which one is the brake light vs the tail light?

Last edited by CosmosMpower; 11-30-2011 at 03:14 PM..
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      11-30-2011, 03:15 PM   #7
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Weird IDK why the sticky would show it as that. Both my brake and brake force lights are 921's. They're easy to get to. On the drivers side pop the carpeted cover off, find the little tab in the center of the light cluster and it'll come right out. Then you can read the number on the bulb itself. And more than likely also see that it's burnt out.
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      11-30-2011, 03:49 PM   #8
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Thanks a bunch, I show that most the local auto parts shops have the 921 so I'll knock it out tonight. Really tired of that intermittent warning message.
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      11-30-2011, 05:38 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CosmosMpower View Post
Thanks a bunch, I show that most the local auto parts shops have the 921 so I'll knock it out tonight. Really tired of that intermittent warning message.
You can code that out if you never want to see it again. haha But I recommend leaving it, because you won't know a tail light is out otherwise (unless you happen to notice).
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      11-30-2011, 07:38 PM   #10
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Replaced the bulb and the message remains. Noticed in the manual there are two brake light bulbs on each side. Could the one in the tailight that is part of the trunk that opens up be out too?

Looks like there are some push pins to take out the liner to get to it.

Edit: checked the bulb under the liner and it was fine. Could it be that the car doesn't like the Sylvania 921 generic bulb? It lights up fine but maybe it's the wrong voltage?

Last edited by CosmosMpower; 11-30-2011 at 10:05 PM..
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      11-30-2011, 11:26 PM   #11
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Well, that's about as far as I can help you. I'm floating with the same problem. Except mine is for the other brake bulb you mentioned, brake force light left side also. Tried new bulbs, swapped bulbs from the other side, bought a whole new light assembly (came with bulbs) as I heard that was a known problem, the old one being a recall. Hell, I even connected the passenger side assembly to the driver side... Still got the same code. I know, didn't give you an answer sorry.
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      12-01-2011, 03:46 AM   #12
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BMW calls for a 16W bulb in those positions - looks like a 921, but may not be the same

16W bulbs are not available in local auto parts stores. BMW #6 32 17 160 935 - Tischer lists them for $5.98/ea

You should have (2) brake bulbs per side in the outer tailights - they are the two beside each other on the very top of the module. Brake bulb in the inner trunk mounted lights are for the brake force lights.

I had an intermittant error code for brake bulb in my 09' 328 - found it to be one of the brake bulbs on PS lite. Took the bulb out, it was not burned out, put it back in, and it worked fine for a while. Still get intermittent error - called SA and talked to him about the known problem with the modules - he of course stated that problem was only related to 1 series and he never heard of it in a 3 series.

I grow tired of arguing with those bastards so I just bought a new module from Tischer for $19 and haven't had a problem since...
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Last edited by 1QuikWS6; 12-01-2011 at 03:54 AM..
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      12-01-2011, 07:34 AM   #13
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What is the "module"?
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      12-01-2011, 07:51 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CosmosMpower View Post
What is the "module"?
It's the black plastic part (socket) with all the contacts that the bulbs plug into.

When you need to change a bulb, this is the part that you unclip and pull out of the housing to get to the bulbs.

There was a known problem of certain versions having bad contacts that would throw intermittent error codes...

On my car, it is Item #3 in the diagram @ this link:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...60&hg=63&fg=20

Photo:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showphoto.do?id=63217174408
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      12-01-2011, 09:05 AM   #15
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Ah ok, I wouldn't think that piece is faulty since all the other bulbs are fine. I did try and tighten up the electrical connection prongs for the two brake bulbs. The bulbs fit nice and tight and light up like they should, just have a stupid error code that won't go away.
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      12-01-2011, 10:31 AM   #16
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Seems like it's time to order the module, some BMW bulbs from Tischer and hopefully call it a day.

Is this stuff covered under CPO warranty?
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      12-01-2011, 11:34 AM   #17
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Not sure about the CPO, I'm still under the normal warranty (which I'm sure would have covered it), & like I said, they gave me an argument over the phone about whether this was a known problem with 3 series - but they made the appointment to check it out (which I then cancelled as I was busy).

They prolly would have covered it, but it's a PITA for me to take my car in as nearest dealer is 35mi away, I normally would wait for something this small, but I know from experience that I would have been setting there in the waiting room watching women's cooking shows for hrs before they get to my car - I have better things to do with my time so $19 wasn't that big of a deal...
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      12-01-2011, 10:25 PM   #18
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Did you check both the left brak lights? there are 2 bulbs for each taillight for brakes( an inner and outer). I just had the same code tonight so I changed the inner bulb and the light bulb check went away...
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      12-02-2011, 11:19 AM   #19
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Yep I checked the inner, outer and brake force bulb and all 3 were working properly but I still get the code.

EDIT: Think the bulb was intermittent and finally burned out. Replaced them both and code is gone now, thanks everyone.

Last edited by CosmosMpower; 12-05-2011 at 01:35 PM..
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      03-09-2013, 04:32 AM   #20
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Hi guys, please help me I'm new here, my car was got the front M3 conversion so I delete the fog lights but I get a warning light on the OBD, so how can I fix it?
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