Tail Lights Not Working

[Isambard]

Hi all,

Just recently encountered the 'check brake lights', and then 'check tail lights' warning on the dash. I checked them and found nothing wrong (or at least obviously wrong) with the bulbs. I still replaced them with new though just to be on the safe side!

However, that didnt work. Just for information purposes, BEFORE the replacement of bulbs.... when I checked the brake/tail lights after the warning came on it was only one side that the brake light wasn't working. Then after a day or two (not been able to get to the shop to get a new bulb) the other brake light has failed. NOTE: The tail lights work fine, and the hi-level brake light still works normally.

I have checked the fuse (no.9 in the glovebox-maybe different for you guys-dunno?) and it is good.

• Could this be a relay problem?
• If so, where is the relay, and can I swap another known working relay with the (maybe) duff brake light relay just to check that this is the cause?
• Is the hi-level light on a different circuit/relay?

Thanks for all your input,

Ian

[mrbmwx5]

your buld socket is bad. check the home page for an DIY on this.

[Isambard]

Thanks. The bulb socket being the plastic holder the bulb fits into, or the main cluster?

[mrbmwx5]

Both the main cluster + buld socket.

[Isambard]

Thanks guys. I've looked at the excellent DIY thread and will get it done. Thanks again!

[Isambard]

Sorry to be a pain in the arse fellas, and ladies of course, but how is it the tail lights work but the brake lights dont? The DIY talks about a bad connection, so my thinking is that if the connection was bad between the cluster and the socket then why do I have both the tail lights working perfectly, and no brake lights???

Just wanted to know before I started pulling things apart....

[primetime]

Originally Posted by Isambard

Sorry to be a pain in the arse fellas, and ladies of course, but how is it the tail lights work but the brake lights dont? The DIY talks about a bad connection, so my thinking is that if the connection was bad between the cluster and the socket then why do I have both the tail lights working perfectly, and no brake lights???

Just wanted to know before I started pulling things apart....

Dont worry.. I got you covered. This is a common problem with E53's...Happened to me too. Take the bulb socket (the one that is not working) out of your taillight assembly..Take the bulb out of the socket..You'll see the metal prongs and metal inside the plastic bulb housing. Take some sandpaper and do a little sanding on the metal prongs and the metal on side too..Don't go crazy with it. Do it for a few minutes...clean it off and put the bulb back in. Now check the lights again. Try to do it when the bulbs have cooled down...Dont do it after a long drive or anything....

Ever since I did that, I've never had a problem....Another member on this forum suggested that method to me and it has worked like a charm..

[Isambard]

Thanks PT, but have just tried what you suggested and it still has not worked!! Anyone else??

[primetime]

Originally Posted by Isambard

Thanks PT, but have just tried what you suggested and it still has not worked!! Anyone else??

You're sanding the actual metal prongs in the bulb socket..not the metal on the bottom of the bulb right? I'm just wondering if my explanation confused you...Sanding needs to be done where the metal is inside the bulb socket that holds the bulb..No sanding on the metal on the bottom of the bulb..You probably knew that but I'm just making sure....

[Isambard]

Yeah, spot on PT. I knew where you meant and haven't touched the bottom face where the bottom of the bulb sits. Thanks for your input and checking...
Just to be clear on things if anyone else wishes to input some idea(s), both the tail lights are working, the hi-level brake light works, but both the brake lights L and R do not. Strange...