Bulb failure

Markie68 · 01-04-2011, 08:11 AM

This is my first post on this forum so be gentle

I have owned my E92 for just over a month now and having avoided any damage during the tough snowy month I have a problem.

The warning light for an exterior bulb failure has come on. Now in true BMW style is doesn;t really give me any clues. I have turned all the lights I can on and cannot see a bulb out. I have tested the reverse lights, fog lights, indicators.

I am stumped as to what it may well be.

Any ideas? Or what should I maybe have a look at.

Thanks in advance Mark

toxicnerve · 01-04-2011, 09:13 AM

Check your brake lights.

I had a similar warning not long after I got my motor, I couldn't work it out as the brake lights appeared to work. However, I think the brake light is either made up of 2 bulbs (one in the main body of the car and the other in the lights that lift with the tailgate) or that when the main bulb fails the other takes over. So even if it looks like your brake lights are working, one of the bulbs might be out.

Not sure if what I have written makes sense or not (my wording looks shite!).

Let me know if it's of any help.

xenon · 01-04-2011, 09:25 AM

The ones which you can miss are the number plate illumination and the extra brake lights that come on if you either brake very hard or if the main brake lights fail as toxicnerve described.

Carjack · 01-04-2011, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toxicnerve

Check your brake lights.

I had a similar warning not long after I got my motor, I couldn't work it out as the brake lights appeared to work. However, I think the brake light is either made up of 2 bulbs (one in the main body of the car and the other in the lights that lift with the tailgate) or that when the main bulb fails the other takes over. So even if it looks like your brake lights are working, one of the bulbs might be out.

Not sure if what I have written makes sense or not (my wording looks shite!).

Let me know if it's of any help.

I thought that the second bulb was the additional brake light for emergency braking. e.g. if the brake pedal is pushed down VERY hard the 2nd bulb will illuminate.
I believe the BMW brochure used to make mention of this at one time.

xenon · 01-04-2011, 09:31 AM

That's correct, as I said, but it also steps in to the breach if the main bulb(s) fail.

sheps · 01-04-2011, 09:32 AM

If you definitely do not have a light out then it'll be the bulb carrier that's faulty, giving a false fault reading.

I had mine replaced under warranty inside of a year of it being delivered.

If you can't see a bulb out get it into the dealership.
Pretty sure this was covered under a technical service bulletin, so it should be done FOC regardless of warranty position.

xenon · 01-04-2011, 09:33 AM

^ yes, was common on the e46 too which gave a bulb-out error due to a failing earth.

Markie68 · 01-04-2011, 09:41 AM

Ill will check later but as its 57 plate it is out of warranty

thanks for the reply guys.

Mark

sheps · 01-04-2011, 09:48 AM

Mine was also a 57 plate - similar vintage.
If there are no obvious bulbs gone then it sounds like the bulb carrier issue.
As I said, I'm pretty sure it's a known fault and it should be repaired FOC regardless of your warranty.

Jeff123 · 01-04-2011, 10:07 AM

I had this problem.

None of the bulbs were defective, but under closer scrutiny I found that one or two of the brake lights appeared "darkish" but still worked. I ended up swapping both brakelights and both rear lights - 80p per bulb. Everything is OK now. It seems that if a bulb is on the way out the warning light may come on.

BTW, if I can do this job it's easy, so whetever you do, don't take it into a garage for a couple of bulbs.

toxicnerve · 01-05-2011, 12:32 PM

@OP:

Any joy?

wayne71 · 01-05-2011, 02:46 PM

I had a similar problem sorted today in fact, kept getting the warning when I switched the car on but couldn't see any lights out, so I removed the rear light fittings and got my daughter to press the brakes, although all 4 lights lit I noticed one was dimmer so replaced it and no more warnings

Be aware that there are two bulbs on each side for brake lights, you cannot tell if one is out unless you remove the fittings.

m1bjr · 01-05-2011, 03:48 PM

As above.

Take out the lamp holders, remove and refit all the lamps a few times to clean the contacts.
Almost certain the probelm will vanish.
The resistance across the terminals is monitored when you turn the ignition on.
That is even before you turn on any lamps.
Bad contact = fail.

BGM · 01-05-2011, 04:23 PM

does it not say on the iDrive?

01-04-2011, 08:11 AM	#1
Markie68 Private 2 Rep 65 Posts Drives: 320d M Sport Coupe Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: here iTrader: (1)	Bulb failure This is my first post on this forum so be gentle I have owned my E92 for just over a month now and having avoided any damage during the tough snowy month I have a problem. The warning light for an exterior bulb failure has come on. Now in true BMW style is doesn;t really give me any clues. I have turned all the lights I can on and cannot see a bulb out. I have tested the reverse lights, fog lights, indicators. I am stumped as to what it may well be. Any ideas? Or what should I maybe have a look at. Thanks in advance Mark
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01-04-2011, 09:13 AM	#2
toxicnerve Colonel 97 Rep 2,834 Posts Drives: E92 335d M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	Check your brake lights. I had a similar warning not long after I got my motor, I couldn't work it out as the brake lights appeared to work. However, I think the brake light is either made up of 2 bulbs (one in the main body of the car and the other in the lights that lift with the tailgate) or that when the main bulb fails the other takes over. So even if it looks like your brake lights are working, one of the bulbs might be out. Not sure if what I have written makes sense or not (my wording looks shite!). Let me know if it's of any help.
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01-04-2011, 09:25 AM	#3
xenon Major General 1397 Rep 8,083 Posts Drives: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry iTrader: (0)	The ones which you can miss are the number plate illumination and the extra brake lights that come on if you either brake very hard or if the main brake lights fail as toxicnerve described. __________________ Ian Current: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Previous: 2018 A6 Avant S-Line MMI+, 2014 F31 320d M-Sport, 2013 F10 520d M-Sport, 2011 F10 530d M-Sport, 2008 320i M-Sport Coupe, 2002 325i, 2001 318i valvetronic, 1998 318i, 1996 525i, 1990 Porsche 944S2
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01-04-2011, 09:31 AM	#5
xenon Major General 1397 Rep 8,083 Posts Drives: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry iTrader: (0)	That's correct, as I said, but it also steps in to the breach if the main bulb(s) fail. __________________ Ian Current: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Previous: 2018 A6 Avant S-Line MMI+, 2014 F31 320d M-Sport, 2013 F10 520d M-Sport, 2011 F10 530d M-Sport, 2008 320i M-Sport Coupe, 2002 325i, 2001 318i valvetronic, 1998 318i, 1996 525i, 1990 Porsche 944S2
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01-04-2011, 09:32 AM	#6
sheps Colonel 73 Rep 2,396 Posts Drives: C63 AMG Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cambs, UK iTrader: (2)	If you definitely do not have a light out then it'll be the bulb carrier that's faulty, giving a false fault reading. I had mine replaced under warranty inside of a year of it being delivered. If you can't see a bulb out get it into the dealership. Pretty sure this was covered under a technical service bulletin, so it should be done FOC regardless of warranty position. __________________ Gone but not forgotten: 325i M Sport (E92), Black Sapphire, Coral Red Dakota, 19" 225's, Seat Heating, 6FL and de-badge Replaced by 6.2 litres of AMG powered C class.
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01-04-2011, 09:33 AM	#7
xenon Major General 1397 Rep 8,083 Posts Drives: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry iTrader: (0)	^ yes, was common on the e46 too which gave a bulb-out error due to a failing earth. __________________ Ian Current: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Previous: 2018 A6 Avant S-Line MMI+, 2014 F31 320d M-Sport, 2013 F10 520d M-Sport, 2011 F10 530d M-Sport, 2008 320i M-Sport Coupe, 2002 325i, 2001 318i valvetronic, 1998 318i, 1996 525i, 1990 Porsche 944S2
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01-04-2011, 09:41 AM	#8
Markie68 Private 2 Rep 65 Posts Drives: 320d M Sport Coupe Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: here iTrader: (1)	Ill will check later but as its 57 plate it is out of warranty thanks for the reply guys. Mark
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01-04-2011, 09:48 AM	#9
sheps Colonel 73 Rep 2,396 Posts Drives: C63 AMG Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cambs, UK iTrader: (2)	Mine was also a 57 plate - similar vintage. If there are no obvious bulbs gone then it sounds like the bulb carrier issue. As I said, I'm pretty sure it's a known fault and it should be repaired FOC regardless of your warranty. __________________ Gone but not forgotten: 325i M Sport (E92), Black Sapphire, Coral Red Dakota, 19" 225's, Seat Heating, 6FL and de-badge Replaced by 6.2 litres of AMG powered C class.
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01-04-2011, 10:07 AM	#10
Jeff123 Jeff 318 Rep 1,451 Posts Drives: 330d M Sport x-drive F30 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Yorkshire iTrader: (0)	I had this problem. None of the bulbs were defective, but under closer scrutiny I found that one or two of the brake lights appeared "darkish" but still worked. I ended up swapping both brakelights and both rear lights - 80p per bulb. Everything is OK now. It seems that if a bulb is on the way out the warning light may come on. BTW, if I can do this job it's easy, so whetever you do, don't take it into a garage for a couple of bulbs.
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01-05-2011, 12:32 PM	#11
toxicnerve Colonel 97 Rep 2,834 Posts Drives: E92 335d M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	@OP: Any joy?
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01-05-2011, 02:46 PM	#12
wayne71 First Lieutenant 15 Rep 382 Posts Drives: 335d Join Date: May 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I had a similar problem sorted today in fact, kept getting the warning when I switched the car on but couldn't see any lights out, so I removed the rear light fittings and got my daughter to press the brakes, although all 4 lights lit I noticed one was dimmer so replaced it and no more warnings Be aware that there are two bulbs on each side for brake lights, you cannot tell if one is out unless you remove the fittings.
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01-05-2011, 03:48 PM	#13
m1bjr LSD - No, you're not seeing things 72 Rep 3,302 Posts Drives: Baby F36 Gran Coupe Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Plymouth UK iTrader: (4)	As above. Take out the lamp holders, remove and refit all the lamps a few times to clean the contacts. Almost certain the probelm will vanish. The resistance across the terminals is monitored when you turn the ignition on. That is even before you turn on any lamps. Bad contact = fail. __________________
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01-05-2011, 04:23 PM	#14
BGM Colonel 58 Rep 2,398 Posts Drives: F20 M140i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Farnborough, UK iTrader: (0)	does it not say on the iDrive?
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