87 325es Brake Warning Light Stays Lit - BMW Forum

terriibleted65 · 06-01-2009, 07:58 PM

The cars computer warning light for Brake Lights stays on but a visual on the back tail and brake lights and turn signals are all good. Ideas? I do have 3 of the 4 side markers out and will fix. Thanks, Ted

witeshark · 06-01-2009, 08:12 PM

Side markers won't cause that. do all three brake lights (including the center light) have the right bulb in?

terriibleted65 · 06-01-2009, 11:07 PM

my tail light formation is the following (ex: drivers side...mine is the pre 8/87 vehicle):
from left to right:
left turn signal, blank (there is a red lens here but there is no socket to place a bulb in, brake light, tail light, reverse light.

all of these lights illuminate...but like I mentioned the lens right next to the turn signal is a blank...i assume the correct bulb is being used...they do work. I will receive my repair manual i ordered this week and will check the bulb to the manual...thanks

witeshark · 06-01-2009, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terriibleted65

my tail light formation is the following (ex: drivers side...mine is the pre 8/87 vehicle):
from left to right:
left turn signal, blank (there is a red lens here but there is no socket to place a bulb in, brake light, tail light, reverse light.

all of these lights illuminate...but like I mentioned the lens right next to the turn signal is a blank...i assume the correct bulb is being used...they do work. I will receive my repair manual i ordered this week and will check the bulb to the manual...thanks

The blank sector is an unused rear fog/rain light for European models. Have you checked the center brake light (in the center bottom of the back window)?

silversled · 06-02-2009, 06:11 PM

if the overhead brake telltale light stays lit and you know that all 3 brake lights work forget about it....there is a relay (I think resistor) in the center brake light housing that trips the telltale....I have been driving my 1988 325iC for 10 years with this light on, I just reset the damn thing. Brake lights all work fine. But how come they don't put brake lights on the front of cars, so you can determine if a car coming at you is slowing down? Would that lead to more problems than it would solve?

witeshark · 06-02-2009, 07:11 PM

It would be confusing I guess. And with many cars having DRLs, it's a bit of a moot point these days.

terriibleted65 · 06-03-2009, 02:12 PM

embarrassingly...it was the center rear window brake light being burnt out. i honestly didn't even see that the car had such a light so didn't consider it. thanks again. :-o

witeshark · 06-03-2009, 03:38 PM

Glad you sorted it!

silversled · 06-03-2009, 07:34 PM

outstanding..so that one is out of the way then....next....

silversled · 06-03-2009, 07:54 PM

although actually, provincial as this sounds, here in Glen Ellyn what we do is have the girl go out and start the car and we stand behind the car, while it's running, and say "step on the brake pedal", that's how we find out here in Illinois if the brake lights work. I don't know...just how we do it here....