Hey thanks a lot Daway.
I appreciate your time.

I'll go look at the brake pedal switch and try to figure it all out.

Again thanks a lot for the replies.

Levi

I just looked up the part number for the brake light switch at realoem.com

here is the link and picture of the system (this is for my 2001 X5 3.0l built date 9-2000 but should be the same for your 2001 4.4l).

RealOEM.com BMW E53 X5 3.0i PEDALS-SUPPORTING BRACKET

number 7 in the pic. part number (for 2001 3.0l) 61316967601

I'm going to go yank that switch and bench test it.

OY.
This car was not meant to be worked on by a six and a half foot gent. Just getting into the glove compartment fuse panel had me bent ten ways from Sunday.


I'll make sure to post results as I get them.

Levi

Good luck! Lol... Last winter i had to check the fuses for my steering wheel light issue (thread) and i had a hard time looking at the block too (i am 5'11"). Next time i will have my 4 yr old daughter look...lol

Also get a copy of the workshop manual too. I posted a thread or something awhile back were i found the manual at a cheap price.

Alright, I've pulled and tested the switch(again not a place for a tall guy), and it's good.
On a hunch I dug out the tail light assemblies and looked under the circuit board where you can't see without almost taking it apart. Sure enough there's the same old corrosion melty overvoltage problem. Just couldn't see it while it was on the car like I could the first TWO times this happened.

Clean, file, sand, re install, and poof! I have all but one brake light back.

I'll be soldering the damaged area and purchasing new bulb holders to solve the rest of the problem.

Daway, thanks again for coming through for me here. I'll send your daughter a cappuccino and a puppy for your time. :rofl:

Have a good one out there in the midwest.

Levi.

LOL!

I am glad that you found out the issue and it was a cheap fix! You should post some pics of the corrosion issue you found for other members! I would like to see how much corrosion is on that too. I should check all of mine again before the cold winter hits up here.

I can try to get pictures of the old bulb holders but the sockets/circuit board is already fixed.

There's melting in the bulbholder that would be visible, and it's identical to the pictures in the DIY and various threads. I'm afraid my situation wasn't special or unique, just a case of the same old poo.

I'm looking into possibly creating a better ground for that circuit and if I do, I'll post picture in this thread.

I'm just glad that WifeyUnit can drive herself and the baby around now without the fear of being rear ended.


Next is the cv joint boots and an oil change..... awesome.



Cheers,

Levi

AMEN! I often refer to myself as "having Jackie Stewart desires in a Reggie White body".

My left lights are dim, followed the directions of previous posters and cleaned the affected areas. Still dim. Wondering what the heck in going on. I pull the tail light connection with the four wires going into the plug and there is a problem there. The plug looks like it shorted out and has fried one of the wire connections. The male end of the plug that is attached to the tail light assembly is visibly rusted and burnt.

I have been having an a lot of electrical issues with this vehicle. The dealer, indie shop and myself have not been able to figure out any of the problems. Would the wiring in the car, mainly this lighting issue I have be affecting other areas of the car as well? Besides the dealer, does any one know of a place to buy this connector and simply replace it?

Thanks in advance.

Try rmeuropean.com or getbmwparts.com