Left rear turn signal malfunction - 2009 pre-lci

[mvolps22]

I have searched this for about an hour but all the issues seem to be with LED tail lights. I do not have LED tail lights

I am getting a left rear turn signal malfunction message every time I use the left turn signal. On occasion the error will go off and come back on after a blink or two and sometimes when it is really cold out I won't get the error for a few uses of the turn signal. I have replaced the bulb and the off-white colored bulb housing unit and neither has fixed the error message or the turn signal malfunction. Could it be a fuse? a relay? wiring harness? what else can I check? I have switched the right and left and the problem did not chase the bulb, it stayed on the left side.

[RedScytheM3]

Originally Posted by mvolps22

I have searched this for about an hour but all the issues seem to be with LED tail lights. I do not have LED tail lights

I am getting a left rear turn signal malfunction message every time I use the left turn signal. On occasion the error will go off and come back on after a blink or two and sometimes when it is really cold out I won't get the error for a few uses of the turn signal. I have replaced the bulb and the off-white colored bulb housing unit and neither has fixed the error message or the turn signal malfunction. Could it be a fuse? a relay? wiring harness? what else can I check? I have switched the right and left and the problem did not chase the bulb, it stayed on the left side.

Check the actual fitting that holds the bulb in place. On mine, the metal prongs holding the bulb in place did not grasp the bulb tightly enough to maintain contact and the circuit would break whenever I drove, went over bumpy roads, or just shook the car in the slightest. Also, if the contact between the bulb and holder is not tight, the weight of the bulb itself will cause it to lose contact and the circuit will break. I had to use a small screw driver to push the prongs closer together so the bulb would fit more tightly. Ever since I did that there been no problem.

[jd501]

Originally Posted by RedScytheM3

Check the actual fitting that holds the bulb in place. On mine, the metal prongs holding the bulb in place did not grasp the bulb tightly enough to maintain contact and the circuit would break whenever I drove, went over bumpy roads, or just shook the car in the slightest. Also, if the contact between the bulb and holder is not tight, the weight of the bulb itself will cause it to lose contact and the circuit will break. I had to use a small screw driver to push the prongs closer together so the bulb would fit more tightly. Ever since I did that there been no problem.

Funny, this exact scenario happened all the time in my E36.

[bmwpower603]

Originally Posted by mvolps22

I have searched this for about an hour but all the issues seem to be with LED tail lights. I do not have LED tail lights

I am getting a left rear turn signal malfunction message every time I use the left turn signal. On occasion the error will go off and come back on after a blink or two and sometimes when it is really cold out I won't get the error for a few uses of the turn signal. I have replaced the bulb and the off-white colored bulb housing unit and neither has fixed the error message or the turn signal malfunction. Could it be a fuse? a relay? wiring harness? what else can I check? I have switched the right and left and the problem did not chase the bulb, it stayed on the left side.

Have you had the battery cable recall done?

I had a few issues with my blinkers, and the battery recall seemed to have fixed the issue.

Scan the vehicle with ISTA to see what it’s complaining about. I’m interested in knowing if the FRM has faults in it.

[mvolps22]

Originally Posted by RedScytheM3

Check the actual fitting that holds the bulb in place. On mine, the metal prongs holding the bulb in place did not grasp the bulb tightly enough to maintain contact and the circuit would break whenever I drove, went over bumpy roads, or just shook the car in the slightest. Also, if the contact between the bulb and holder is not tight, the weight of the bulb itself will cause it to lose contact and the circuit will break. I had to use a small screw driver to push the prongs closer together so the bulb would fit more tightly. Ever since I did that there been no problem.

I replaced that part and it didn't fix it so I don't think that's the issue.

[mvolps22]

Originally Posted by bmwpower603

Have you had the battery cable recall done?

I had a few issues with my blinkers, and the battery recall seemed to have fixed the issue.

Scan the vehicle with ISTA to see what it’s complaining about. I’m interested in knowing if the FRM has faults in it.

Is an ISTA scanner just and OBD2 scanner? I don't know if the battery recall has been done. I didn't do it but it may have been done prior to me buying it.

[Shiza]

Sounds like your FRM (footwell module) might be going bad, I was having similar issue and a replacement fixed it.

[bmwpower603]

Originally Posted by mvolps22

Is an ISTA scanner just and OBD2 scanner? I don't know if the battery recall has been done. I didn't do it but it may have been done prior to me buying it.

Call bmw. Ask them if it’s been done. If it hasn’t been done. Have it performed.

ISTA is what bmw uses to diagnose at the dealership. And no. A regular scan tool will not work in this case.

You can get it on eBay. (There’s quite a learning curve to learn the basics, and to get it running properly and syncd to the vehicle)

Sometimes all it takes is performing a test on ISTA, and clearing the codes to get everything working correctly.

[mvolps22]

Originally Posted by bmwpower603

Call bmw. Ask them if it’s been done. If it hasn’t been done. Have it performed.

ISTA is what bmw uses to diagnose at the dealership. And no. A regular scan tool will not work in this case.

You can get it on eBay. (There’s quite a learning curve to learn the basics, and to get it running properly and syncd to the vehicle)

Sometimes all it takes is performing a test on ISTA, and clearing the codes to get everything working correctly.

The last time I took my car to a BMW dealership my manual transmission was left in pieces after their test drive and I was stuck with a $4,800 bill to pay for my negotiated half of the bill. I want to try to avoid the dealer.

I'm assuming if they are available on eBay a BMW specialists shop would have the tool?

[bmwpower603]

https://www.bimmershops.com/

[mvolps22]

Originally Posted by bmwpower603

https://www.bimmershops.com/

I've got an appointment Friday with one of these shops. Hopefully they can figure it out.