tail light sensor on
- Thread starter bella457
- Start date
![[:(]](/images/smilies/frown.png "Frown [:(]")
u mean brake light "bulb" sensors and not "brake" sensors right?
the brake light "bulb" light sensors light up the entire car icon on the dash. if u changed all the bulbs, then double check that the rear license plate bulb isn't burned out. (it shares the same warning icon as rear tailights/ brakelights.)
i had the same problem too a long time ago and someone on this board pointed it out and sure enough- that was it. changed out the bulb above the rear license plate and the alert went away
the brake light "bulb" light sensors light up the entire car icon on the dash. if u changed all the bulbs, then double check that the rear license plate bulb isn't burned out. (it shares the same warning icon as rear tailights/ brakelights.)
i had the same problem too a long time ago and someone on this board pointed it out and sure enough- that was it. changed out the bulb above the rear license plate and the alert went away
I am having the same issue. The indicator shows that there is a lamp out.n In my case-- the right rear. However, all are OK.
Sometimes it is lit others it is not. Sometimes it will go on and then go back off.
I was told by a dealer that there is an issue with some 2003's and it relates to a "bad neutral". I am told that the fix is to replace the board that holds all of the lamps-- about 250.00.
I was wondering if there was a recall or any "assistance" on this.
Thanks
Sometimes it is lit others it is not. Sometimes it will go on and then go back off.
I was told by a dealer that there is an issue with some 2003's and it relates to a "bad neutral". I am told that the fix is to replace the board that holds all of the lamps-- about 250.00.
I was wondering if there was a recall or any "assistance" on this.
Thanks
The light comes on when the monitoring system senses too little current flow in the circuit, symptomatic of a burned out bulb. But this can also be caused by other things. It is a fairly common problem on E36s to have problems with the bulb holder contacts, had that on both of mine. I assume the early E46 uses the same the same design.
Check the metal contacts on the bulb holder. If they are charred from arcing, or the plastic is warped from heat, replace it. Then inspect the contacts where the bulb holder plugs in. This is actually a circuit board. Use a NEW CLEAN PINK pencil eraser and GENTLY clean the circuit board contacts. Sometimes the circuit board actually gets arc burns and pitting, which is a big problem to fix. All of this extra resistance can cause the circuit to think a bulb is out.
Why does this happen? Some people say that it is caused by using NON-BMW bulbs. There is a thought that the BMW OEM (dealer stock) bulbs run a bit cooler and draw less current than the US replacements from Sylvania, etc. The parts guy at my dealer said he sees this alot, but when people replace the holders and use BMW bulbs, the problems don't return........
Check the metal contacts on the bulb holder. If they are charred from arcing, or the plastic is warped from heat, replace it. Then inspect the contacts where the bulb holder plugs in. This is actually a circuit board. Use a NEW CLEAN PINK pencil eraser and GENTLY clean the circuit board contacts. Sometimes the circuit board actually gets arc burns and pitting, which is a big problem to fix. All of this extra resistance can cause the circuit to think a bulb is out.
Why does this happen? Some people say that it is caused by using NON-BMW bulbs. There is a thought that the BMW OEM (dealer stock) bulbs run a bit cooler and draw less current than the US replacements from Sylvania, etc. The parts guy at my dealer said he sees this alot, but when people replace the holders and use BMW bulbs, the problems don't return........