E36 Sedan Rear Light Setup....

[SinSeven]

Alright, i've been coming the "searched" threads, but now i've come into another problem that might be the cause of my headaches.

I've been having a problem with my brake lights not working. I've replaced the bulbs and nothing ! I checked the brake light fuse under the bonnet and again...nothing ! Could it be a relay? All the other lights work fine though (parking,turn and backup).

So i started searching, hoping to maybe find my answer and then i read a post where someone said the brake lights are on the outer side. Is this true?

Plain and simple........Where are the break light bulbs supposed to be. Inner or outter?

(This is just one tail lamp)
Right now, my lights are....Parking/parking/Brake

Or should they be.....Brake/parking/parking

[Hamfisted]

Originally posted by SinSeven@Aug 12 2005, 07:57 AM
Alright, i've been coming the "searched" threads, but now i've come into another problem that might be the cause of my headaches.

I've been having a problem with my brake lights not working. I've replaced the bulbs and nothing ! I checked the brake light fuse under the bonnet and again...nothing ! Could it be a relay? All the other lights work fine though (parking,turn and backup).

So i started searching, hoping to maybe find my answer and then i read a post where someone said the brake lights are on the outer side. Is this true?

Plain and simple........Where are the break light bulbs supposed to be. Inner or outter?

(This is just one tail lamp)
Right now, my lights are....Parking/parking/Brake

Or should they be.....Brake/parking/parking

[snapback]369194[/snapback]

My stock tail lights were Brake/Park/Park but I replaced the stock amber lens tail light assembly with some cheap Taiwan clear lens job (actually fits perfectly...) and I set the bulbs up as Brake/Brake/Park.
Did you check the brake light switch under the driver's side dash panel? It's attached to the brake pedal but hidden by the lower facia under the dash. I had to replace mine a year ago. They just wear out. You can take it apart and clean the contacts though.





Mike
'97 328i

[SinSeven]

Dude you have no idea how much help that was. I will definately check that switch today.

Also, is this switch found on any year BMW?

At first i started thinking that the hot plate where the light bulb socket twists into had defaulted. But i had no idea we even had a brake light switch. Thanks bro !!!

[thekid]

I got a problem with the connector on my passenger tail light. The whole assmebly decides randomly when it will and will not work. I was told it might be the connector, just havn't gone by to get one yet. Some times I go back there, and the connector has found a way to disconnect itself. I think it is vibrating the connection loose. Which would explain it's sparatic behavior, until it unplugs its self. So bascially what I am saying, is check and make sure it is plugged in. You have to pull the trunk carpet and trim behind the light, not a big deal at all.

[SinSeven]

Thanks Kidd. I'll check that out also. This would be the connector that runs down the plastic housing underneath the carpet, right?

[wcre34]

im having a similar problem too except my tail light brake lights come on but not the 3rd brake light could it just be the bulb..

[victorgallas]

Originally posted by SinSeven@Aug 12 2005, 06:57 AM
Alright, i've been coming the "searched" threads, but now i've come into another problem that might be the cause of my headaches.

I've been having a problem with my brake lights not working. I've replaced the bulbs and nothing ! I checked the brake light fuse under the bonnet and again...nothing ! Could it be a relay? All the other lights work fine though (parking,turn and backup).

So i started searching, hoping to maybe find my answer and then i read a post where someone said the brake lights are on the outer side. Is this true?

Plain and simple........Where are the break light bulbs supposed to be. Inner or outter?

(This is just one tail lamp)
Right now, my lights are....Parking/parking/Brake

Or should they be.....Brake/parking/parking

[snapback]369194[/snapback]

Always go with the easy things on this issues, check lightbulbs and fuses, conections firsts to make sure all is good. If after doiing this you still have problems. then keep in mind the following.

BMW e36 had an electrical issue in reguard to the electrical harness that goes from the body of the car to the trunk lid. The plastic assembly where the wires go trough is capable of damaging the wires inside of it and causing shorts, or weird electrical problems.

Anyway keep this in mind, its a good place to check since bmw issued several service bulletins about it. BMW also sells a replacement harness that goes from the body to the trunk lid.

Hope this helps.

victor

[325iS]

Originally Posted by SinSeven

Plain and simple........Where are the break light bulbs supposed to be. Inner or outter?

I know on my '92 E36, the brake lights are the inner most bulbs (single-filament bulb). The outer bulbs are dual-filament, but the high wattage filament is used for the rear fog lights.

Also, when checking your brake lights, keep in mind that the ignition must be on for them to work. If the key is off, the brake lights don't work.