[Simpson196]

Hi All,

Ive just changed from 318i to 320d M Sport coupe. When I start the car I get the warning light on the dash for a light failure, but having looked around the car all the lights seem to work.

Tried brakes, front and back fog lights, lights on the door handle, side beam, full beam and main beam and finally tried the indicators. All seem to be working fine.

My thought is, there was a light failure and someone put a bulb in but never reset the warning light? My mate seems to think that the car will sensor the fact that the issue has been rectified and reset itself?

Do you guys know of any more lights I need to check that could be the problem or does it sound like I just need to reset the computer?

[maxoutput]

Checked the number plate lights?

[Chappers 71]

Has the previous owner changed any of the bulbs to LED?
Some of the led bulbs can throw a light out warning.

[Thermobaric]

I seem to recall a faulty brake light can be easy to miss due to the two stage setup.

If they're all working, it's probably a corroded contact that's a bit iffy. You can pull a code for a specific bulb off the dash.

[Jeff123]

Have a look at the rear light clusters for signs of a bulb that is about to expire - just remove them one at a time and look at them against some white paper. If any look dark, change them. Bulbs are only around 80p so you can afford to risk changing a few.

It worked for me; and the dash light went out.

[bishbosh]

I had a bulb error but all bulbs were working - apart from one on the rear light cluster that was a bit dim, cleaned the contacts, full brightness restored and the bulb error went away.

[Simpson196]

I checked the lights again and they all look to be in working order. How would I check if it had been changed to LED?

Also I will check for the connections and stuff when I get home tonight.

Cheers guys!

[Chappers 71]

What year is your car?
Are the interior lights bright white, if so they are LEDs, are the running lights (headlight halos) yellow or white?
I think 2010 cars onwards had the white running lights & LEDs.
I changed my headlights to LEDs on my 2006 335i & I have light out warning but just ignore it

[Simpson196]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

What year is your car?
Are the interior lights bright white, if so they are LEDs, are the running lights (headlight halos) yellow or white?
I think 2010 cars onwards had the white running lights & LEDs.
I changed my headlights to LEDs on my 2006 335i & I have light out warning but just ignore it

My car year is 2009 and both the inside and outside lights are bright white, Im guessing they are LEDs, amazing lights and if that is the case more than happy to ignore the warning light.

Although thinking about it, isnt it something that can be coded out?

[Chappers 71]

Yep the LEDs do look good. Yes you may be able to code them out, give it a go

[imy]

Originally Posted by Thermobaric

I seem to recall a faulty brake light can be easy to miss due to the two stage setup.

If they're all working, it's probably a corroded contact that's a bit iffy. You can pull a code for a specific bulb off the dash.

What is 2 stage brake lights and how do you check for this?

[Thermobaric]

I believe when you slam on the brakes, there's a bulb that is a lot brighter than regular brake light that comes on. Don't know how to test it without someone following you to let you know. I don't know if this is only on some cars/differs by region. Just something I picked up when investigating a bulb failure warning light.

[Simpson196]

I think the stage 2 light actually flashes under hard breaking, or when ABS is kicked in, Im not sure but I wouldnt know what it looks like if I pulled the lights out

[Thermobaric]

Yeah. I think the only way to easily tell if it was one of those was to read the code off the dash.