[haaken675]

Hey everyone. I recently acquired an '07 335i and have been slowly fixing all the issues that the PO created. One of the most recent I need to tackle is a lighting error. I get a light bulb error being thrown on the car periodically when driving. What I have noticed as well is that the license plate lights will flash/flicker randomly at time, and I just noticed yesterday that the side markers are doing that as well. These units have been replaced with LED ones of unknown origin. I understand that without the proper resistance the car could throw an error code, but what could cause the lights to just flicker on their own?

[matteblue3er]

Bulb check. Code it out. Look in coding section

[haaken675]

I understand I can code out the error. Its the fl9ickering im trying to get rid of. Are you saying that the error code generated by the ECU is causing the flickering of the lights?

[matteblue3er]

Originally Posted by haaken675

I understand I can code out the error. Its the fl9ickering im trying to get rid of. Are you saying that the error code generated by the ECU is causing the flickering of the lights?

The bulb check will quickly pulse the bulbs to check for operation. A traditional filament bulb will have a certain resistance if it's working. LEDs do not have the same resistance the FRM is looking for.

When LEDs are installed, this pulse results in a few quick flashes from the LEDs.

Disable the warm check to disable t he check while the car is running.

Disable the cold check to disable the check upon switching ignition.

[haaken675]

I hadn't thought that it would be something that could be coded out. Had my buddy come over last night with his Carly adapter and we turned everything we could find off, and so far it looks like we took care of the issue. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

[ewicky]

Just replace the shitty LEDs with real light bulbs and be done.

[haaken675]

Originally Posted by ewicky

Just replace the shitty LEDs with real light bulbs and be done.

Why spend the money if I don't have to? I would have had to order new side markers entirely, new license plate lights, etc. as the previous owner had already changed them. Either way, its fixed now...

[matteblue3er]

Originally Posted by ewicky

Just replace the shitty LEDs with real light bulbs and be done.

Originally Posted by haaken675

Why spend the money if I don't have to? I would have had to order new side markers entirely, new license plate lights, etc. as the previous owner had already changed them. Either way, its fixed now...

Not to mention ALL LEDs will exhibit this behavior. It is dependent on the light source technology, not the quality.

These quick pulses are too fast for a filament bulb to light up so you don't see the flickering. For LEDs, since they are instant on, you see the flashes.