Tail light

[Boos2006]

Hi Guys, I have a 2005 X5 4.4 lit and I am having a annoying problem with tail light . Once in every few days I see message saying check tail light / check Brake lights.

I have checked there is no issue with the bulb holder or with light bulbs .I have moved them around just to make sure.

It is always rear right side tail light bulb which seems to be not working. I also checked wiring to ensure they are properly secure , there is indication of any wire issue of loose connection.

Is there a fuse I can check? I am not sure what else I can look for?

Any help is appreciated .Thanks in advance.

[RMak]

Majority of owners have had this problem. Could be numerous things. My fix was that I changed the socket and all is well. Check this link out.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ation-fix.html

[Boos2006]

Thanks , I did move/change sockets and bulb from the other side . It is alway right tail light which is not working . I am debating what differnce new socket will do , are they different from original?

[skeetjunkie]

I had the exact same problem about two years ago. Dug around this most excellent forum and found there are probably a few gremlins responsible, and several solutions as well.

Discovered that my gremlin was a barely noticeable white oxidation layer on various metal contact points in the tail light assembly. Solution was some emory paper to clean up all the accessible contact points plus a little CRC electrical contact cleaner spray and good to go - no worries since.

[Boos2006]

Thanks a ton , I will try that tonight and let you know tommorow.

[Isambard]

RMak is bang on the money with the link he has provided you with (for the majority), as this was my problem too some time ago.

You may need to look at the contact faces on the cluster a bit more closely. I thought the emery paper trick would solve what sounds like the exact same problem as you're having, but it didn't. After searching I found that excellent post by Quiksilver and since dropping a bit of solder onto the burnt out contact face over 18 months ago, I have had no issues whatsoever.

Good luck.

[bakersx5]

I too had the same problem. i did what quicksilver suggested and filled the hole with solder, ground it down with my dremel and it has been fine of six months now. Stupid problem to have on such an expensive damn car but it is what it is.

[bakester69]

I had the same intermittant issue as you mate, repaired the thin layer of oxidation on the rear holders but still the same fault until....i had the light control module scanned and reset and then it has been fine since. The module apparently stores codes so maybe worth having this reset to see if it solves the problem.

[fullmetaljacket]

Try this out - pull out the bulbs from the receptacles, hold the metal part of the bulb with one hand and the glass part with your other hand (use a tissue with the glass part for safety) Wiggle it a little and check if the glass part has become loose already. Often times on relatively old cars (5 years and above) like mine - the bulbs have fossilized inside and ruin the connections internally. You will not be able to see this outside. This will be the best test - wiggling Hope this helps.