Brake Light Circuit Warning?

[Laker]

My Brake Light Circuit warning message keeps showing up. The owners manuel says to check bulbs, fuse or circuit defective. All bulbs check ok, no blown fuses that I have found and everything seems to work ok, so does anyone know what else this looks at or exactly what sensors might be involved with this circuit. Car is a 1994 325.
Thanks for any help

[97alpineM3]

Its a very common problem with E36s... do a search on google for brake light circute failure.. and you should get a few bmw forums and info on how to fix it... good luck.. its not hard to fix.. just a pain in the ass...

Les

[Bear]

Do not know about the E36, but on the E30 she is programmed to come on at start up or until the brake pedal is stepped upon.

[Reedalicious]

Its a switch under the steering wheel. Do a search becuase at least once a week some one asks this.

[Cruzin 323is]

i have the same prob, evey so often... i just put the car in park, ( automatic) turn the car off... for a couple seconds.. then restart.. and i'm good to go....


nothing is really wrong, its just a glitch of some sort...????

[Laker]

Thanks everybody for the info.

[okczy21]

my will not go off either and ive changed the brake light switch and my tail lights do work, so how do i get this off of my computer

[007ben]

Originally posted by Cruzin 323is@Aug 31 2004, 08:24 PM
i have the same prob, evey so often... i just put the car in park, ( automatic) turn the car off... for a couple seconds.. then restart.. and i'm good to go....


nothing is really wrong, its just a glitch of some sort...????

nope it fixin to die for good.. mine did that too. i replaced it earlier this month easy to do. takes about 20 min... rember just break the old one out dont be nice about it. thats what took me so long.

there is a howto someplace too.. i ithink at pelican parts.

[okczy21]

what else is involved with this warning besides the brake light switch, i also soldered my contacts in the taillights just in case it wasnt getting a solid contact and it still on my computer

[theogill]

I just replaced my brake light switch (under the dash-a real bitch for a big guy like me), but technically easy. Look on Pelican parts for instructions, and be sure to buy the part from BMW. Others allegedly make noises etc. If you have aftermarket tails, they could be the problem.
Replacing hte switch took care of my problem. FOr those who may still be having problems, try a new set of BMW taillights. When I put on my aftermarkt clears, I got a code saying Brake light failure even though it works.
Anyway, good luck.
Also, the guy at BMW asked me whcih switch I wanted, the one under the dash or the one on the transmission. COuld the tranny one be hte problem?

[iantosca]

There's a faq in this forum about how to repair it.