Brake lamp malfunction?

[Girl Stig]

So it’s been a couple days and I keep getting a left brake lamp malfunction warning that will pop up but then turn off randomly. I had someone sit in the car and pump the brakes but the light is fine. Does this mean the bulb is going out or is it loose? I’ll take it apart this weekend but was wondering if anyone else has had this problem. Should I just say screw it and upgrade to LCI ha..

[UroGator]

Originally Posted by Girl Stig

So its been a couple days and I keep getting a left brake lamp malfunction warning that will pop up but then turn off randomly. I had someone sit in the car and pump the brakes but the light is fine. Does this mean the bulb is going out or is it loose? Ill take it apart this weekend but was wondering if anyone else has had this problem. Should I just say screw it and upgrade to LCI ha..

It's the connection to one of the bulbs. Takes each bulb out and look for the one with corrosion on the metal prongs and replace that bulb with a new one.

There is some TSB that supposedly replaced the whole housing, but I never needed to so that. Just find the loose bulb. You can take some pliers and crimp down on the metal prongs in the housing holding the bulb. I think the problem is a loose connection that causes the corrosion to develop on the bulb prongs.

[quicktwinturbo]

Off topic but light bulbs are covered under warranty ( CPO / maintenance)? I had similar issue early this year and when I took my car in for service, they told me it was the bulb and they charged me $50ish...

[jeff@autocouture]

Lci Upgrade

[kscarrol]

Originally Posted by quicktwinturbo

Off topic but light bulbs are covered under warranty ( CPO / maintenance)? I had similar issue early this year and when I took my car in for service, they told me it was the bulb and they charged me $50ish...

They are under the factory 4 years/40k mile warranty/maintenance plan but not sure under CPO. CPO has a deductible as I recall so that was likely the $50 you were charged.

Edit: Just found this on the BMW website, showing what is NOT covered under CPO. Bulbs are not covered...

[quicktwinturbo]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

They are under the factory 4 years/40k mile warranty/maintenance plan but not sure under CPO. CPO has a deductible as I recall so that was likely the $50 you were charged.

Thank you!

[Girl Stig]

Originally Posted by UroGator

It's the connection to one of the bulbs. Takes each bulb out and look for the one with corrosion on the metal prongs and replace that bulb with a new one.

There is some TSB that supposedly replaced the whole housing, but I never needed to so that. Just find the loose bulb. You can take some pliers and crimp down on the metal prongs in the housing holding the bulb. I think the problem is a loose connection that causes the corrosion to develop on the bulb prongs.

Thank you, I will definitely try that. Bulb should be around $20 the most I'm thinking..

Originally Posted by quicktwinturbo

Off topic but light bulbs are covered under warranty ( CPO / maintenance)? I had similar issue early this year and when I took my car in for service, they told me it was the bulb and they charged me $50ish...

Originally Posted by kscarrol

They are under the factory 4 years/40k mile warranty/maintenance plan but not sure under CPO. CPO has a deductible as I recall so that was likely the $50 you were charged.

Edit: Just found this on the BMW website, showing what is NOT covered under CPO. Bulbs are not covered...

Yea my deductible is $50 also if I take it to the dealer but figured replacing the bulb would be cheaper rather than taking it down. Thank you for researching and reassuring me!

Originally Posted by Alex@Autocouture

Lci Upgrade

Haha changing a bulb, replacing the taillights.. same thing might as well right