[TimJ]

Originally Posted by krader1

A broken brown wire (ground) was the culprit for my running lights on the trunk lid not working (Left & Right). The above fix is great - it shows it exactly. I used in-line connectors to fix mine. I fished a wire through the wire protector (after spitting on it for lubrication as it is really tight in there) and then simply put a in-line connector on either end.
I still have a problem with both my back-up lights, I checked continuity to the light fixture and it shows there is no break from the protector to the socket switch. I am thinking about replacing the back-up light switch on the transmision if it has one. Anybody have any suggestions?

Hey krader1, any luck getting your reverse lights working again? I've got the same problem... fixed the broken wire (just one), which fixed the left-side inner taillight, but the reverse lights are still inoperable. Thanks!

[Blixem]

Originally Posted by TimJ

Hey krader1, any luck getting your reverse lights working again? I've got the same problem... fixed the broken wire (just one), which fixed the left-side inner taillight, but the reverse lights are still inoperable. Thanks!

TimJ I have the same issue. I wonder if it could be a fuse or a computer error code to clear!

[Strictly4Boosting]

My right side lights on the trunk dont work and my reverse lights don't work as well. I am going to try and look into the harness, but if it doesn't fix my reverse lights. Is there a fix yet?

[INS Rebel]

So many people are having this problem. My baby has been at the dealership the past couple days for this and a few other things. I miss her ;-(

[Strictly4Boosting]

I shook my harness and my tail light on the trunk is back on. I have to dig deep into this now, my reverse lights do not work, but when I put the car in reverse the passenger mirror does go down. So I'm assuming the mirror gets a signal from the reverse switch? I don't get bulb warning's for reverse. I just don't have power going to the bulbs.

[BM2006i]

My mirror works, I have reconnected 2 broken wires in the trunk inside the rubber tubing. all my lights work except the reverse. When I turn on the car I still get bulb warning CC-ID 117 but CCID 123 is fixed.

[e90chris]

I have the same issue. I soldered the brown wire together and my rear drl lights started working but still no reverse lights. Looks like some of the plastic wire is breaking on the other cables but they still appear to be connected.

Is it possible I did a shitty job soldering the brown wire, or are they unrelated. Please help!

(Below is a before picture)

[dtaylor88]

Is there any fix for the reverse lights not working yet? (I have the same problem and I fixed the broken wires which fixed my right side tail light but not the two reverse lights.)

thanks!

David T.
2006 325i

[GOS7]

This thread is worthy of revival. I'm having the same exact issue except my trunk lamp is out and i cannot open the trunk with the FOB or interior button also. I'm going to completely cut open the rubber harness sleeve that goes to the trunk lid to the body to inspect the wires again.

[GOS7]

Here's mine before I repaired it. Haven't tested reverse lights yet though.

[arlovarri]

on my car fixing the wires was only step one. the footwell module (FRM) had shut off the circuit permanently because the car had been started XXX number of times without the short being fixed. I got an indy to clear/reset the FRM using autologic. You can also DIY code this if you know how. I hear dealers won't do this and insist on replacing the FRM but I didn't ask my dealer.

[kenbrinkman]

I have an issue where the inboard brake light bulbs stop working as soon as I turn on the rear fog light switch. Could this wiring deterioration be the problem? I checked both ends of the harness and it looked ok, but maybe I didn't look far enough between.

[TimJ]

Been meaning to reply here for a while...

So after fixing the taillights by soldering the broken wires in the trunk harness, the reverse lights weren't working still. The stealership "diagnosed" the problem and said the FRM (footwell) module needed to be replaced for $800, including labor. This is after they supposedly reset the FRM at my request since others on the forum had recommended that.

Thankfully, I didn't take the stealership's advice. Brought the car to an independent shop and they performed a diagnosis and FRM reset for about $150. Problem fixed.

The issue is that if you go through too many restarts with the short caused by the broken taillight wiring, the FRM gets a fault code and prevents the reverse lights from working. I'm not saying the FRM will never go bad, but I was willing to risk $150 to possibly save $650.

Good luck!

[e90chris]

Been meaning to post back too...

After paying for a diagnosis at the stealership, they wanted $2,400 to replace the FRM and wiring harness.

Instead I bought a cable off Amazon for $20 bucks and tried a short circuit counter reset tutorial using Tool32. To my surprise, it worked! Finally glad to be error free.

[timfisher64]

Thanks, StyleBimma!

You nailed it on the broken ground wire. Had to keep working back the broken sheath until I finally found it. Quick wire splice and bingo--problem solved!

Thanks again for this great post!!

[fun2drive]

Don't over look a bad rear tail light bucket either. My position light would not oowrk on the left rear tail light. I replaced the sub assembly no joy, checked FRM no joy, check voltages to tail light all correct. That left one choice the tail light bucket is bad and it was. ECS has them in stock and that solved my problem. Point is when your wiring harness is fine, FRM is fine don't over look the light bucket itself which is sealed and you can't get to the wiring just the bulb sub assembly...

[rshew]

My driver's tail light not working, even with new bulb. I found 2 broken wires hidden in the rubber tubing running from the trunk lid to the main body of the car.

I soldered the broken wires together, and tail light works again!

[MSP300]

I got a code 00A8C4 FRM: Second break light/adaptive break light, right, faulty. All my lights are working fine, so it has to be the light that goes on when abs is engaged.

I'm going to check all the wiring since it seems to be the common problem, but has anyone gotten this code before, and where is adaptive break light bulb located in case its not the wiring problem?

Thank you

[pantera1989]

Hi. I am now getting a fault every time I start the car. Both brake lights work. Both rear fog lights work. But if the rear fog lights are on the right brake light does not work. If they are off both brake lights start working again.

Any ideas please? I have a 2008 E92 320D.

[pantera1989]

Problem solved. Turns out it was a bulb which needed to be replaced. I didn't know there were 2 brake bulbs at each side. When you press the brake both light up, but if you have the foglights on only 1 lights up which was the one that needed to be replaced. That is why I was seeing both brakes light up except when the fog lights are on.

Should have checked before posting but anyway..

[beambeam1]

For those with the reverse lights issue - I found that the black/purple cables were broken. Fixed one, right reverse came on. Fixed the other, left reverse light came on.

Thanks to all those that contributed in this thread. I had tried swapping bulb holders and whatnot, had a proper root around the hinge harness rubber boot and after cutting it open found this:



The nick of it, honestly!

[DAZ-KBF]

I too have found broken wires, but mine is about halfway down inside the black plastic protector. Im gonna have to cut down the center of the protector to solder the wires. Do you guys have any ideas for covering the wires up again as i wont be able to use the protector again