Replacing brake light

[uncfsuno1]

One of the brake/stop lights went out and I want to replace it. I already have the new bulb, but I'm wondering if anyone has done this before and knows how to remove the casing. Is this fairly easy? Sorry if this is a newbish question.

 

[Big Daddy]

Push down and twist. Make sure you are replacing with a "euro" bulb, they are the ones with the silver colored base. Do not use the brass based ones.

 

[black330i]

What exactly do you mean by "remove the casing"? Are you simply putting a new bulb into the brake light housing? If that's the case, Big Daddy is correct. If you want to know how to get at the brake light housing from the inside of the trunk, it's a little trickier. You'll have to remove (or fold back, at least) the trunk liner and remove a few screws. At that point, the entire brake light housing should come off and you can screw in a new bulb.

 

[uncfsuno1]

Yeah, that was def. a newb question. I thought you had to take the whole casing off. Turns out you just press in a button and it pops out so you can get to the lights. Anyway, I found out the light bulb isn't the problem. I popped the old light bulb out then put it back in, and then it worked again. Then an hour or so later it was out?? Is it a wiring problem perhaps?

 

[codex57]

yeah, sounds like a wiring problem. Still have warranty? May be time to pop on by to the dealer.

 

[theBMWenthusiast]

yeah, sounds like a wiring problem. Still have warranty? May be time to pop on by to the dealer.

looks like you have may have to pop in and may get insepection II while your there...

 

[andreyiv]

Big Daddy, now this is a real newb question, why can't you use a brass base bulb? I bought one from autozone and it worked fine, of course it burnt out in less than a year but whats the difference between them?

 

[Big Daddy]

You can use them, however the system and the metals that BMW uses does not interact well with brass and causes corrosion. It is one of the common look here first suggestions when you get the "brake circuit failure" messages. Maybe a chemist could explain it better? I had some problems with my e32 because the previous owner had used brass based lamps.

 

[///M SPEED]

You can use them, however the system and the metals that BMW uses does not interact well with brass and causes corrosion. It is one of the common look here first suggestions when you get the "brake circuit failure" messages. Maybe a chemist could explain it better? I had some problems with my e32 because the previous owner had used brass based lamps.

Bingo, my "00" 328i had the brass bulbs and when they went out they were corroded to the fixture. BMW usually suggest to replace the fixture at the same time, but when you looked at mine it was actually melted to the contact and surrounding plastic. They don't last as long either....

 

[andreyiv]

Interesting, thanks. I pulled out another bulb the other day, went to a local car parts store and they sold me a euro light bulb, interestingly enough, th eone I pulled out said Geramny and such on it so I am thinking, could have it lasted for 9 years?