Check Brake Lights Message but everything looks okay

[Bigwheels]

Hi Guys,

On my 2004 x5 3.0 I keep getting "Check Brake Lights" on my OBC but when I look them it looks like they're all working (right, left, and upper). It also says check Rear Lights too (right and left seems to work as well). The warning doesn't come on all the time, it's on and off. Is there something I'm missing?

Thanks in advance!

[mrkbbd]

there are secondary bulbs that light up so you still have brake lights

[Bigwheels]

So how do I figure out which ones are out?

[zerochief]

:xoutpost: I had problems like yours due to the contacts making a weak connection. Upon further investigation, I found the that the taillight assembly weld (holding the contacts together) was actually broken. I was going to repair it, but ended up replacing it (my old ones were amber, wanted clears).

[blueagle]

In my case, my bulb was still working but my SA told me the light was already flickering and the bulb was turning black. I also checked the other side and bulb was also turning black so decided to replace both rear brake taillight bulbs. Make sure the bulbs make full contact with the bulb connector because some dirt may cause the sensor to giver a wrong message in your display screen.

[sprocket1200]

common fix under warranty. unfortunately, there is a back order on the rear light housings and has been since atleast September. get on the list quick!

if you are outside of warranty there are fixes on this site, just do a search.

[TurnAround]

Originally Posted by sprocket1200

common fix under warranty. unfortunately, there is a back order on the rear light housings and has been since atleast September. get on the list quick!

if you are outside of warranty there are fixes on this site, just do a search.

Yeah, I'd read about this 18 months ago. Faulty contact points in the tail lights. They overheat and scorch a little bit. Enough to create deposits and then the bulbs won't contact right. Hence.. intermittent, drive you crazy warnings. It's not enough to cause a fire. BMW is well aware of it, but won't issue a recall.

Warranty or not, go in and insist that you know all about the problem and that they owe you a free set of rear tail light assemblies. If they balk, mention reporting it to the NTHSA as a manufacturer's defect resulting in a safety issue. They'll perk right up.

[Bigwheels]

Thanks for the info! I actually checked the bulbs and the contacts were hot! I'm going to take it back to the dealer in a few days and I'll definitely have them replace it. I'll let you know how it all goes.