Reverse lights

Bimmer330 · 06-17-2019, 01:19 PM

My 06 330i reverse lights are out. I do not think it’s the bulb because they aren’t old. So i was thinking maybe it’s the wiring. Does anyone think unplugging the wire and replugging it could work ? And after if it doesn’t work I should buy a new bulb or just go to a mechanic if the first idea doesn’t work ? Because I don’t think it’s the bulb

PichaDis11 · 06-24-2019, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer330

My 06 330i reverse lights are out. I do not think it’s the bulb because they aren’t old. So i was thinking maybe it’s the wiring. Does anyone think unplugging the wire and replugging it could work ? And after if it doesn’t work I should buy a new bulb or just go to a mechanic if the first idea doesn’t work ? Because I don’t think it’s the bulb

Why rule them out based on thoughts alone? Were they changed recently? Either way You'd need to physically check them to rule that they're not blown.

the contact points of the housings may also be corroded;which prevents the bulbs from having good electric connection. If this is the case and it has been over 50 engine starts of more, the frm may have shut power to that circuit and you'll need to reset them.

drawz · 07-12-2019, 09:53 PM

Check the bulbs first - it's cheap and easy. If those check out, look for corrosion on the sockets. If that's ok, it could definitely be the wiring. You can test with a multimeter, but unplugging and replugging isn't going to do anything except maybe to remove some corrosion.

BMW has had wiring problems in the e36, e39, e46, etc. and it happened on my e90 exactly as you describe. The wiring to the trunk flexes every time you open/close the trunk and eventually breaks. It might be more common in cold climates, but unclear. You can repair the individual wires, but others may break over time. I lost a parking light and almost immediately after the reverse lights. Best bet is to replace that section of harness with an aftermarket one made by Sencom, which has more flexible wiring. It can be found on ebay and a few other places. I bought one made by Metzger (also on ebay), which appears to be the same, but a bit cheaper. I haven't had a chance to install it yet.

Note that if the FRM detects a malfunction too many times, it will shut off the circuit permanently. Not sure what you have to do to fix it at that point, but you have to somehow reset the FRM through diagnostic software.

Here is a thread with more info on the e46 problem, but it's the same issue: https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=511230

YouTube video on repairing individual wires:

YouTube video on harness replacement (in German, but very good):

06-17-2019, 01:19 PM	#1
Bimmer330 New Member 0 Rep 19 Posts Drives: BMW E90 2006 330i Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: California iTrader: (0)	Reverse lights My 06 330i reverse lights are out. I do not think it’s the bulb because they aren’t old. So i was thinking maybe it’s the wiring. Does anyone think unplugging the wire and replugging it could work ? And after if it doesn’t work I should buy a new bulb or just go to a mechanic if the first idea doesn’t work ? Because I don’t think it’s the bulb
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07-12-2019, 09:53 PM	#3
drawz Second Lieutenant 78 Rep 239 Posts Drives: 06 330xi 6MT, 08 535xiT 6MT Join Date: May 2009 Location: Newton, MA iTrader: (0)	Check the bulbs first - it's cheap and easy. If those check out, look for corrosion on the sockets. If that's ok, it could definitely be the wiring. You can test with a multimeter, but unplugging and replugging isn't going to do anything except maybe to remove some corrosion. BMW has had wiring problems in the e36, e39, e46, etc. and it happened on my e90 exactly as you describe. The wiring to the trunk flexes every time you open/close the trunk and eventually breaks. It might be more common in cold climates, but unclear. You can repair the individual wires, but others may break over time. I lost a parking light and almost immediately after the reverse lights. Best bet is to replace that section of harness with an aftermarket one made by Sencom, which has more flexible wiring. It can be found on ebay and a few other places. I bought one made by Metzger (also on ebay), which appears to be the same, but a bit cheaper. I haven't had a chance to install it yet. Note that if the FRM detects a malfunction too many times, it will shut off the circuit permanently. Not sure what you have to do to fix it at that point, but you have to somehow reset the FRM through diagnostic software. Here is a thread with more info on the e46 problem, but it's the same issue: https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=511230 YouTube video on repairing individual wires: YouTube video on harness replacement (in German, but very good):
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