[HRC]

I had the exterior bulb warning come on a few days ago. The drivers side reverse light, parking light and the reverse light went out. The passenger side is fine. Purchased new bulbs and they still don't light up. Checked all fuses and they were fine.

I have blacklines on my '06 e90 so I tried swapping out the light assembly with the original assembly from my stock tail lights and they still did not work.

I think something happened to the wires going to that assembly. I checked realoem and found the rear wire harness for the trunk. Part number 61129186184. I will try and mess around with a volt meter but I am considering replacing the harness...

Danny

[HRC]

Problem fixed.

Danny

[x3xile]

It will go away on its own if everything is working properly.... thats what happened to mine. Warning light came on for a few weeks, was about to take it in to the dealer.. light went away.. like it was scared to go or something

[HYSPAN79]

Warning light came on the other night, no lights were out, was off in the morning and hasn't come on since.

[karlusmagnus]

I had lightbulb warning come up. No apparent lightbulb out. No idrive on my 2008 e92 328xi, so I cannot isolate exact error (thru searching I was told that one could find bulb with issues, via idrive - and not having this, I cannot confirm).

[cobradac]

Here is Service bulletin on newer vehicles:

SI B 63 09 10
Lights May 2010
Technical Service

SUBJECT
Check Control Message but Lights are Operating Normally


MODEL
E70 (X5)

E71, E72 (X6)

E82, E88 (1 Series)

E89 (Z4)

E90, E91, E92, E93 (3 Series)

Vehicles produced from August 31, 2009 to August 30, 2010


SITUATION
Intermittently, a "bulb out" check control message is displayed, but all bulbs appear to be working normally. Typically, one or more faults are stored, all being set at the same mileage value. Possible fault codes are A8A8, A8A9, A8AA, A8AB, A8AC, A8AD, A8AE, A8AF, A8B0, A8B1, A8B2, A8B3, A8B6, A8B7, A8B8, A8B9, A8BA, A8BB, A8BC, A8BF, and A8C0.

CAUSE
FRM3R (Footwell module) software

CORRECTION
Perform diagnosis and work through any related test modules.

Code the FRM3R control module using the latest ISTA/P version.

Note that ISTA/P will automatically reprogram and code all programmable control modules that do not have the latest software.

For information on programming and coding with ISTA/P, refer to Centernet / Aftersales Portal / Service / Workshop Technology / Vehicle Programming.

Note that additional improvements to the FRM3R software are expected with ISTA/P 2.39.0, planned for late September 2010.

WARRANTY INFORMATION
Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

[dcaron9999]

Originally Posted by DRC328i

I took my 2008 328i coupe to the dealer complaining I've changed bulbs twice, they said there is a service Bulletin for my model, tail lights only. They ran a diagnostic, left passenger side they replaced bulbs with long life, the driver's side they replaced the bulb housing and bulbs with long life. Problem gone.

As to removing the housing, on the E92 coupe, pull off the trunk trim to expose the light housing back. Dead center there is a 1" wide plastic tab, push up slightly and the whole black housing holding the bulbs ..

Thanks for this. Followed your instructions for my 2009 328i with slightly different housing. Did not even need any tools. Driver side bulbs worked but had a dark tint on them. I replaced both P21 bulbs on both sides, used a nail file to brush down bulb contacts in both housings, buttoned everything back together. No more warning light on display...

All good!

[beezer86]

Super old post I know but thought I would add my fix. Had rear left bulb malfunction brake lamp.

Removed all bulbs and checked with ohmeter - all good - all same reading. Tried - same error.

Cleaned contacts on two posts and tightened all bulb sockets by slightly bending in contact tabs. Tried - same error.

Grabbed a new bulb (Wagner from NAPA - not from BMW) and replaced the one that was a little darker. Boom - fixed!

Moral is if contacts are checked/tightened cleaned and bulbs test good - try replacing the bulbs anyway.

Nov 2016

[Noquills]

To contribute to the post and forum. I have an early 2008 E-92. been getting the bulb error on the dash. Error came back as CCID-134 (right rear brake light). Looked at the past posts. Lights all looked ok. Per the posts I wiggled the bulbs in the right tail light housing. No dice. Unclipped the wiring harness and pulled out the bulb carriage. Pulled all the bulbs out (no visible corrosion) and used contact cleaner on sockets and bulbs. Gently squeezed socket springs closer together. Replaced bulbs, reassembled and error disappeared. Others have suggested a new bulb carriage. Might be next step if error returns.

One coincidence. Would always get the error for a moment after I wash the car. Then it would go away. Never noticed any water present in the housing though.