Check Rear Brake Lights Solved!

wullaby · #1 02-01-2010, 10:38 PM

So for about a month now, I have had the cluster make the chime noise for "Check Rear Brake Lights" I read up on the forums and checked the contact board no burnt areas, bulb was good. Checked the Ground on the connector pulled it out inspected terminals. Looked at the bulb socket prongs, bent them in to ensure contact. So this was getting annoying, once a week I would look at one of these "trial and error" items. Today I decided to pull the bulb and double check, I looked at the brass tabs hanging on the side of the bulb receptacle, they weren't that bad but I took my key and scraped it a few times to make it shinier. Stuck it in and turned on the key and waited for the chime to go off....it never did, I backed into my garage and could see the reflection off the wall!!! Bam, that's all it was, their was a mild buildup of something (oxidation) on there and just needed a few scratching with a key!! Hopefully someone may benefit from this, its 30 seconds and free to try.

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BAX5 · #2 02-21-2010, 04:21 PM

I wanted to add my $.02 to this as I just went to dealer to get a new bulb. A mechanic I know there wandered in and said it might be something else. Of course it's BMW. The "Socket" for the bulb had a burnt contact. Apparently the contact board can burn also and then you get into a real mess. My contact board was fine and he found a replacement socket in his tool box (they keep them as they burn up regularly). Tipped the guy as he diagnosed, replaced and comp'ed me a part in like 3 minutes. Hope this helps the next guy !

sprocket1200 · #3 02-21-2010, 05:10 PM

don't forget to use some battery terminal grease on them. it will help prevent further problems.

Naz24 · #4 02-21-2010, 05:11 PM

this happened to me, the stealership tried charging me $300 for a whole new lighting assembly saying that it was ruined. i did the same thing and it worked!..

Yii · #5 02-21-2010, 06:48 PM

Do the battery terminal grease really work? iv seen it next to the bulbs for 99cents and thought i doubt these things really help at all and passed it.

Quicksilver · #6 02-21-2010, 10:11 PM

Actually this is the correct product to use.
PENETROX A Joint Compound - 8 Oz Bottle Penetrox A

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