Right brake lamp malfunction

[F1 fan]

My car says I have a right brake lamp malfunction but the light works fine. Anyone else have this?

[bluesm3]

same here,every now and then when I brake I'd get the right brake light malfunction and it'll go off in a few minutes.all I did was open it up and re-tighten the bulbs down and I have'nt had the problem since.maybe it was just not tight..

[elm3]

For some reason I thought that there was a recall on the connector of the tailights for 08-10??? I forgot what the recall number is. The same thing happened to me, so I took it to the dealership. When I got there, it was working fine. The guy told me that there was a recall, but they will only change if there is a fault/code. My car was working fine and no codes by the time I got it there. So I'm not going to worry about it until it happens again. The onlything I'm worried is that it'll will happen when my warranty is up, knowing my luck.

[slimflem]

I just had the same thing. It came on about 3 times over the course of a few weeks. My first condition-based service was coming up soon, so I had the dealership take care of it then. They ended up replacing some contacts, a bulb or two and a couple of wires. No more issue.

[F1 fan]

I took out the bulbs and turned them over. Put them back in an no problem so far. They did seem somewhat loose also.

[MysticBlue]

Yes, I had this issue. I took the bulb housing out, wiggled the bulbs to make sure they were seated and making good contact, and unplugged the wiring harness and plugged it back in for the same reason. That was nearly a year ago and no problems since then.

[nchan50]

had it happen 2-3 times during the winter. Warning came on when I started the car then went away after a couple minutes. Hasn't happend again since. Will probably have it checked out when I bring it in for 30k mile service.

[aussiem3]

I had to change both my housing at my own cost ... car was out of warranty. There was a recall. My car is an '07.

[shamoo]

Mine has the same problem. They said it was a known issue. They took it out, took a small screwdriver to bend the tabs of the socket and put it back in. Code gone. On the way home, it turned on again. Something about the socket being loose.

My maintenance warranty is over, but I think I could probably get them to fix it since it's documented prior to it being over. In any case, should be cheap. I'm still under a CPO too.

[elm3]

Originally Posted by shamoo

Mine has the same problem. They said it was a known issue. They took it out, took a small screwdriver to bend the tabs of the socket and put it back in. Code gone. On the way home, it turned on again. Something about the socket being loose.

My maintenance warranty is over, but I think I could probably get them to fix it since it's documented prior to it being over. In any case, should be cheap. I'm still under a CPO too.

It won't be covered under warranty, but there is a recall for this. You need to let your SA know about it. You do not have to pay out of your own pocket for this.

[Endless619]

It happens when it gets below freezing. It happened 3 times last Winter and I took it to the dealer and they replaced the bulb and it went away. Then it happened again and I took pictures since it would go off sometimes. So went back in months later and they said nothing was wrong with it so they gave me 5 free bulbs. lol Hasn't happened since. But it seems to only happen when it gets below 32 degrees.

They said it WILL be covered under warranty and I didn't pay either time and my car is CPO and they told me to bring it in if it happens again and they will take it apart but it hasn't.

[kiloil]

Take the bulb out and wrap the sides with velcro, per the TSB. I prevents the bulb from moving in the carrier.

[larryn]

I had this issue and it is in the dealership for it now. They kept the car overnight, because the new TSB regarding it requires the car to be reflashed to latest firmware. So, I am very confused about firmware versus loose sockets on my '10 e92 M3.

Cannot wait to see the repair slip.

I wonder that since I complained that the voice command does not work at all, that that's really the reason for the reflashing... We shall see, and I'll post my results. Either way, I should be getting the latest and greatest firmware update.

[suprafrank]

Originally Posted by F1 fan

I took out the bulbs and turned them over. Put them back in an no problem so far. They did seem somewhat loose also.

Me too. I had "right brake lamp malfunction" warning popped up on and off the past week. I did the same thing and so far that warning hasn't returned. Owner's manual tells you how to get to the bulbs.

I guess there are many many M3 has bad/loose brake light bulb sockets on the right side. Or may be they didn't install those bulbs properly.

[IMG]

I get that fault once or twice a week.its annoying !

[drvai]

Now me...

Any more info on the recall so I can go to the dealer and ask for it?

[DevJ]

any info on how to fix it yourself. dont wanna get raped on charges at the dealer..

[J. Dub]

Anyone know the TSB number?

[mrMTB]

Perhaps this one?
SI B 63 02 08
Lights March 2008
Technical Service

SUBJECT
Rear Bulb Failure

MODEL
E92 (3 Series Coupe) vehicles produced up to January 21, 2008

SITUATION
The "bulb out" warning shows in the instrument cluster. Diagnosis shows a fault for the rear lamp.

CAUSE
Poor fit between the bulb and bulb holder

CORRECTION
In the case of a customer complaint, replace the complete bulb holder housing. Refer to Repair Instruction 63 21 055 (Replacing a socket housing for left or right rear light [side panel]). The replacement part is supplied complete with bulbs.

PARTS INFORMATION
Part Number
Description
Quantity

63 21 4 428 113
Bulb holder with bulbs (Left)
1

or

63 21 4 428 114
Bulb holder with bulbs (Right)
1

WARRANTY INFORMATION
Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

Defect Code
63 21 00 79 00

Main Work*

Labor Operation:
63 21 055
Replacing one bulb holder housing

Labor Allowance:
Refer to KSD

*Main work
Use this labor operation number when this is the only repair being performed, or if this is the main repair when performed along with other repairs at the same time. If this is not the main repair, refer to KSD for the associated (+) labor operation code.

[Saxrasta]

I got the left brake light malfunction notice. So I replaced both bulbs on the left. Now neither light up unless the brake pedal is pressed. They are supposed to light and get brighter when the pedal is pressed. Any ideas what could be the problem?

[ciges]

I have same left tail lamp malfunction going on randomly for about 6 months.Replaced all bulbs first,was good for couple days and came back ,than I replaced socket holder with new genuine BMW one,same thing ,warning came back within a week.Guess connector in next and then wiring harness.

[Scrippy]

Stop closing your trunks so hard and these bulb errors won't happen anymore. When the dealer tells you they replaced them for you they lie. They just reseat the bulbs in the holders. Bulb errors are just bulbs that need to be reseated in the sockets and are rarely bad bulbs. LED errors are different and require a new light.