Left brake light failure warning but it's working? Confused!

335tim · 03-11-2012, 03:17 PM

As per title, my 335 is giving me a warning for a left brake light failure but all lights are working fine.

Any ideas or any way to reset? It's quite annoying.

ed335d · 03-11-2012, 03:21 PM

Could be this:

http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=35302

335tim · 03-11-2012, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ed335d

Could be this:

http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=35302

Thanks ed. will try and change the bulb even though it is working. See if it fixes the fault warning

ed335d · 03-11-2012, 03:55 PM

Good plan. If the contacts are corroded, you can always give them a bit of a clean. New bulbs are only a couple of pounds.

335tim · 03-11-2012, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ed335d

Good plan. If the contacts are corroded, you can always give them a bit of a clean. New bulbs are only a couple of pounds.

Just took the bulb out, cleaned the contacts and no more warning light. Cheers ed!

onebadmofo · 03-11-2012, 04:27 PM

There are two brake bulbs in each light, kinda hard to see if only one is out.

m1bjr · 03-11-2012, 05:16 PM

FWIW - the lamps are monitored even when off.
So possible to get an alarm for a tail lamp when its turned off too

nicktyler · 03-12-2012, 05:14 AM

I have exactly the same thing. Are both bulbs the same (the normal and the progressive force) and which bulbs would I need to buy?

fastloop · 03-12-2012, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicktyler

I have exactly the same thing. Are both bulbs the same (the normal and the progressive force) and which bulbs would I need to buy?

No there are two bulbs for the normal brake light in the light cluster. The progressive brake light is in the boot lid.

I have only seen the progressive lights come on under very hard braking on track, but then again I don't normally follow myself and there are no indications inside that you have activated it.

nicktyler · 03-12-2012, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335rocks

No there are two bulbs for the normal brake light in the light cluster. The progressive brake light is in the boot lid.

That would explain why it looks like it still works then. I will just replace both bulbs and that will be that.

fastloop · 03-12-2012, 02:57 PM

Had this a few times myself and replacing the bulbs are pretty easy. If it keeps happening then have a look at this post. There is a bulletin for this, but I don't know if the dealers here would be willing to replace the bulb holder.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...29&postcount=7

OfficialBOLO · 03-12-2012, 03:13 PM

I have this happen only when its cold outside. And I mean like under 40F. Otherwise, no issues. I chalk it up to the lci tails i retrofitted. When it gets too annoying, ill look into it, but everything works fine to my knowledge.

e90ca · 04-23-2016, 02:15 PM

Had the left brake lamp malfunction come on this morning and noticed left side wasn't as bright as right side. Went to dealer to get the 2 bulbs and replaced them. It's all good now!

e90ca · 06-28-2017, 12:55 PM

Just replaced my left side brake lamp bulb this morning again. Lasted 1 year and 2 months only. Seems these bulbs from the dealer don't last very long and they are expensive. (2) bulbs for $16 bucks. Can we get the same bulbs from o'reilly?

IllSic_Design · 06-28-2017, 05:36 PM

Could be moisture/corrosion in the plug or on the bulb prongs. Kept happening on my E46 corner light and I pulled the plug off the bulb and there was corrosion in there, cleaned it with a scotch brite pad and good as new. Throw some dielectric grease in there also to keep moisture/corrosion out.

03-11-2012, 03:17 PM	#1
335tim Second Lieutenant 31 Rep 214 Posts Drives: e92 335i se montego blue Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: london iTrader: (0)	Left brake light failure warning but it's working? Confused! As per title, my 335 is giving me a warning for a left brake light failure but all lights are working fine. Any ideas or any way to reset? It's quite annoying.
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03-11-2012, 03:21 PM	#2
ed335d Major General 140 Rep 6,912 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Surrey, UK iTrader: (3)	Could be this: http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=35302 __________________ E92 M3, Jerez Black, Fox Red Novillo, 19'' M Double Spoke, folding mirrors, lumbar support, front seat heating, PDC, USB, DAB, EDC, Bluetooth, Logic 7, High Gloss Shadowline, big smile
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03-11-2012, 03:55 PM	#4
ed335d Major General 140 Rep 6,912 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Surrey, UK iTrader: (3)	Good plan. If the contacts are corroded, you can always give them a bit of a clean. New bulbs are only a couple of pounds. __________________ E92 M3, Jerez Black, Fox Red Novillo, 19'' M Double Spoke, folding mirrors, lumbar support, front seat heating, PDC, USB, DAB, EDC, Bluetooth, Logic 7, High Gloss Shadowline, big smile
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03-11-2012, 04:27 PM	#6
onebadmofo Colonel 346 Rep 2,396 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (14)	There are two brake bulbs in each light, kinda hard to see if only one is out.
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03-11-2012, 05:16 PM	#7
m1bjr LSD - No, you're not seeing things 72 Rep 3,302 Posts Drives: Baby F36 Gran Coupe Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Plymouth UK iTrader: (4)	FWIW - the lamps are monitored even when off. So possible to get an alarm for a tail lamp when its turned off too __________________
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03-12-2012, 05:14 AM	#8
nicktyler Major 32 Rep 1,271 Posts Drives: 335i (sadly gone) Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Essex iTrader: (3) Garage List 2007 BMW E92 335i [0.00]	I have exactly the same thing. Are both bulbs the same (the normal and the progressive force) and which bulbs would I need to buy?
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03-12-2012, 02:57 PM	#11
fastloop Lieutenant 40 Rep 522 Posts Drives: E92 335i M Sport Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Had this a few times myself and replacing the bulbs are pretty easy. If it keeps happening then have a look at this post. There is a bulletin for this, but I don't know if the dealers here would be willing to replace the bulb holder. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...29&postcount=7
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03-12-2012, 03:13 PM	#12
OfficialBOLO Captain 37 Rep 735 Posts Drives: 2013 F30 335i X-Drive MSport Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Brooklyn iTrader: (3) Garage List 2013 BMW 335i X-Drive [0.00]	I have this happen only when its cold outside. And I mean like under 40F. Otherwise, no issues. I chalk it up to the lci tails i retrofitted. When it gets too annoying, ill look into it, but everything works fine to my knowledge. __________________ 2013 F30 335i X-Drive / AW / CR / MSPORT / PREMIUM / TECH / HK / Heated Seats / Sport Auto / PDC / M Performance Grills and Spoiler / 20% tint (sold) 1995 Toyota Supra Single Turbo (for sale)
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04-23-2016, 02:15 PM	#13
e90ca Captain 82 Rep 671 Posts Drives: 2011 335i M-Sport Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Pleasanton, CA iTrader: (12)	Had the left brake lamp malfunction come on this morning and noticed left side wasn't as bright as right side. Went to dealer to get the 2 bulbs and replaced them. It's all good now! __________________ 2011 335i with M-Sport Performance package, Carbon Fiber interior trim, gloss black kidney grills. 18" Apex Arc-8, JB4, ETS Charge pipe
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06-28-2017, 12:55 PM	#14
e90ca Captain 82 Rep 671 Posts Drives: 2011 335i M-Sport Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Pleasanton, CA iTrader: (12)	Just replaced my left side brake lamp bulb this morning again. Lasted 1 year and 2 months only. Seems these bulbs from the dealer don't last very long and they are expensive. (2) bulbs for $16 bucks. Can we get the same bulbs from o'reilly? __________________ 2011 335i with M-Sport Performance package, Carbon Fiber interior trim, gloss black kidney grills. 18" Apex Arc-8, JB4, ETS Charge pipe
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06-28-2017, 05:36 PM	#15
IllSic_Design Colonel 2123 Rep 2,758 Posts Drives: 09 E92 335i Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Northern California iTrader: (1)	Could be moisture/corrosion in the plug or on the bulb prongs. Kept happening on my E46 corner light and I pulled the plug off the bulb and there was corrosion in there, cleaned it with a scotch brite pad and good as new. Throw some dielectric grease in there also to keep moisture/corrosion out.
	Appreciate 0 Quote