The dash display on my 2001 330 ci (correctly) indicates my passenger side rear brake lights are functioning intermittently. I have checked the bulbs and cleaned the contacts. The wires seem to be fine with nothing obviously broken or otherwise damaged. Does anyone have any ideas as to what the problem might be ? Is this a known issue like my previous E36? TIA
E46 brake light issue
Jun 23, 2005
4 Replies
Check your brake light switch..I've worked for BMW for 8 years as a Technical Service Advisor and have seen this problem alot....if you are still within warranty take it to your dealership it is a covered item.
Thanks! I'll try that.
You said the message is correct, this means there is probably a problem with the lamp itself. There could be a wiring problem, but I would suspect that it is too soon for wiring issues to be showing up on your car.
Swap the lamp from one side to the other. If the lamp is the problem, the message will switch sides too. If the message follows the lamp, the lamp is the problem, if the message stays, then the wiring is the problem.
Are you sure? Does this switch have dedicated left and right circuits? I would think that a bad switch would effect both sides equally. No?
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