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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BMW E90/E92/E93 3-series General Forums > Regional Forums > UK > flickering number plate lights



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      02-13-2019, 05:11 AM   #1
kash330D
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flickering number plate lights

My number plate lights flicker sometimes and i intermittently get a 'number plate warning' light on the dash, but then it goes away.

Is it just worth changing the bulb? Or is there something else I can check first?

It's an E390 330D.

If i change the bulb, what bulb do I use?
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      02-13-2019, 05:16 AM   #2
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Are they bulbs or LED units?

First thing I'd do is pop them out & look at the connectors to make sure there's no corrosion / water ingress.

If they're LEDs I believe it's a whole unit, normal bulbs are just a bulb replacement.
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      02-14-2019, 07:37 AM   #3
kash330D
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Quote:
Originally Posted by N5GKP View Post
Are they bulbs or LED units?

First thing I'd do is pop them out & look at the connectors to make sure there's no corrosion / water ingress.

If they're LEDs I believe it's a whole unit, normal bulbs are just a bulb replacement.
I've not actually looked but they are fairly bright so i think they may be LED.

There's 2 of them.

If it's a case of new units, which ones do I need.

it's in for MOT next month, and knowing my luck it will decide not to work during the MOT so would rather just fix it properly before then.
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      02-15-2019, 05:26 PM   #4
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Just get a pair of replacement units from eBay or Teddy@SSDD.
BMW actually sell them too but a lot more expensive.
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      02-16-2019, 12:06 PM   #5
kash330D
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Ok - had a little play today.

Strange things. as soon as i start the car, i now get the failure warning light.

I get out the car, go the back and can see both bulbs still illuminated. The warning goes away a short while after.

I took the holders / bulbs out to find zero corrosion and all contacts appear to be good.

The bulbs themselves are LED versions of the normal bulb, so wondering if its something to do with the fact that they are LED causing the issue.

I've not had the car long, and can't say i saw this issue when i first got it. It's now just becoming more frequent.

I will try and swap them out for standard normal bulbs to see if that helps, but if not, are there any other suggestions?

It's strange that it says light failure but they still appear to be working. I have seen them flicker a couple of times though on one side.
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      02-16-2019, 05:43 PM   #6
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It could possibly be broken wires in the boot wiring. See this thread here. You have to peel back the rubber boot to inspect the wires. https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=683942
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      02-17-2019, 10:37 AM   #7
kash330D
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Quote:
Originally Posted by neilj35 View Post
It could possibly be broken wires in the boot wiring. See this thread here. You have to peel back the rubber boot to inspect the wires. https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=683942

Thanks! will try the new bulbs and if i have the same issue then I will check this.
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      02-17-2019, 01:01 PM   #8
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I'd bet its the bulbs throwing the error, most of the LED replacements for original bulb holder won't factor in BMW's sensitive detection for variance in voltage/resistance.

The flickering of one will mean its on its way out which is what one of mine did....

I would just replace the bulb holders with these - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-LED-L...KFI:rk:58:pf:0

Been using those since I've had my car and I have never thrown a code for them. I have only had to replace one due to water ingress, otherwise they are very reliable and literally take less than a minute to fit!
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      02-18-2019, 02:44 AM   #9
kash330D
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sirleeofroy View Post
I'd bet its the bulbs throwing the error, most of the LED replacements for original bulb holder won't factor in BMW's sensitive detection for variance in voltage/resistance.

The flickering of one will mean its on its way out which is what one of mine did....

I would just replace the bulb holders with these - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-LED-L...KFI:rk:58:pf:0

Been using those since I've had my car and I have never thrown a code for them. I have only had to replace one due to water ingress, otherwise they are very reliable and literally take less than a minute to fit!

I ordered some new bulbs for a few quid so will try that, if that fails, then will go with your recommendation
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      02-26-2019, 08:59 AM   #10
kash330D
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kash330D View Post
I ordered some new bulbs for a few quid so will try that, if that fails, then will go with your recommendation
New bulbs seem to have sorted the issue.
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