Bulb out warning, with no bulb out.

michael1972 · 10-18-2013, 07:40 PM

Like the title says I have a bulb out warning on. I have checked my exterior lights multiole times and can't seem to find anything out. What could possibly be going on? Or is theyer some light I don't know about that could be out? Help I am stumped and cant stand warning lights being on.

N8N · 10-18-2013, 08:15 PM

Trust the warning light. I had an intermittent brake light warning and finally just decided to look at the bulbs, one of them was all silvered but still working, I replaced it and no more warnings. Apparently the bulb check will throw a fault if the resistance is out of spec (e.g. a very old bulb about to fail) even if the bulb is still lighting.

Which bulb is it saying is out?

BMWMPH · 10-18-2013, 08:27 PM

On mine it actually turned out to be the socket the panic brake light bulb plugs into. I took it out and cleaned the connecting surfaces and the warning light went away.

bimmerdavid · 10-18-2013, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michael1972

Like the title says I have a bulb out warning on. I have checked my exterior lights multiole times and can't seem to find anything out. What could possibly be going on? Or is theyer some light I don't know about that could be out? Help I am stumped and cant stand warning lights being on.

I was getting the same and all were working. The way the BMW does the bulb check, when the bulbs get close to going out, the BMW is sensitive to know that. I had it for my brake lights and just replaced the bulbs and warning went away.

Good luck!

McAuley7 · 10-19-2013, 10:30 AM

Reading the responses reminded me! When I bought my car I had that and told me they'll fix it don't worry they took like a day to figure it was brake light. they took the tail light holder from another bimmer and went away

N8N · 10-19-2013, 11:33 AM

yes, there is a service bulletin on some of the taillight socket assemblies, if you have a light out warning with new bulbs the dealer is directed to replace the bulb holder with an updated part. I don't remember exactly what vehicles are covered.

itsstock02 · 10-19-2013, 05:26 PM

My low beam/fog light out warning has been coming on intermittently as well with no bulbs out. The other day a fog light went out. Guess the system was sensitive enough to detect it.

Drrncour · 10-20-2013, 05:39 AM

There's two brake light bulbs in each rear light. So if one fails the other one still comes on. This is normally the issue if you can't find the bulb.

bimmerdavid · 10-20-2013, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drrncour

There's two brake light bulbs in each rear light. So if one fails the other one still comes on. This is normally the issue if you can't find the bulb.

This was my issue and one reason I wasn't able to find it. I just replaced both since if one went out, I assumed the other wasn't far behind.

Jeff@TopGearSolutions · 10-21-2013, 01:10 PM

Read the CC-ID. Inspect that specific bulb. To get the CC-ID the bulb error indicator should illuminate at that time you push in on the stalk. I forget the exact name but you hold it in for a couple seconds and the code should appear.

Cross check that CC-ID with google and it should tell you which bulb is out.

Many times it's the brake light but you naturally cannot see that while your in the car or walking around it.

I've found that replacing the bulb with generic bulbs at a gas station does not fair too well as they always burn out a lot sooner and appear black after a few months of use.

I recommend replacing all your bulbs with a higher quality sylvania.

The brake light also has two bulbs in some BMW so while it may illuminate it may only be 1 of the 2 bulbs (Per side).

If the said light is actually still working try cleaning the contact with WD-40.

johngrossi · 10-22-2013, 06:43 AM

I remember reading something about the footwell module being faulty and causing false codes to be thrown...although that would be the last thing to check, start with the easy stuff.

bryguycbr · 10-23-2013, 01:29 PM

Check your license plate light.

edirtaynine · 10-23-2013, 01:43 PM

your car is fucking with you

hunginator · 12-03-2013, 09:04 AM

Are there any DIY's to remove the rear brake light assemblies? I'm having this issue but I don't want to bring my car into the dealer for something that sounds quite simple.

N8N · 12-06-2013, 04:25 PM

I think it's actually in the owner's manual - the pass side you can get by removing the battery cover. Driver's side I assume is similarly easy but not sure as I haven't had to go in there yet. (for the ones in the fender that is... the ones in the trunk lid you would remove the inside trim)

hunginator · 12-06-2013, 05:03 PM

Ah, I'll give it a try. Thanks for the help.

10-18-2013, 07:40 PM	#1
michael1972 Second Lieutenant 15 Rep 270 Posts Drives: 2007 335i coupe Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Mosinee, WI. USA iTrader: (0)	Bulb out warning, with no bulb out. Like the title says I have a bulb out warning on. I have checked my exterior lights multiole times and can't seem to find anything out. What could possibly be going on? Or is theyer some light I don't know about that could be out? Help I am stumped and cant stand warning lights being on.
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10-18-2013, 08:15 PM	#2
N8N Lieutenant Colonel 170 Rep 1,843 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Berwyn Heights, MD iTrader: (2)	Trust the warning light. I had an intermittent brake light warning and finally just decided to look at the bulbs, one of them was all silvered but still working, I replaced it and no more warnings. Apparently the bulb check will throw a fault if the resistance is out of spec (e.g. a very old bulb about to fail) even if the bulb is still lighting. Which bulb is it saying is out?
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10-18-2013, 08:27 PM	#3
BMWMPH Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2009 335i xDrive Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: NW AR iTrader: (0)	On mine it actually turned out to be the socket the panic brake light bulb plugs into. I took it out and cleaned the connecting surfaces and the warning light went away.
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10-19-2013, 10:30 AM	#5
McAuley7 @McAuley7 11 Rep 419 Posts Drives: 2010 335i Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 335i [9.00]	Reading the responses reminded me! When I bought my car I had that and told me they'll fix it don't worry they took like a day to figure it was brake light. they took the tail light holder from another bimmer and went away
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10-19-2013, 11:33 AM	#6
N8N Lieutenant Colonel 170 Rep 1,843 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Berwyn Heights, MD iTrader: (2)	yes, there is a service bulletin on some of the taillight socket assemblies, if you have a light out warning with new bulbs the dealer is directed to replace the bulb holder with an updated part. I don't remember exactly what vehicles are covered.
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10-19-2013, 05:26 PM	#7
itsstock02 First Lieutenant 20 Rep 326 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: MI iTrader: (2)	My low beam/fog light out warning has been coming on intermittently as well with no bulbs out. The other day a fog light went out. Guess the system was sensitive enough to detect it.
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10-20-2013, 05:39 AM	#8
Drrncour Captain 30 Rep 614 Posts Drives: E92 M Sport Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Surrey, England iTrader: (1)	There's two brake light bulbs in each rear light. So if one fails the other one still comes on. This is normally the issue if you can't find the bulb. __________________ Cree angel eyes - 19" 313 OEM alloy wheels - 15mm rear spacers - Black performance Grilles - Alloy pedals - Tinted windows - Shadowline trim - M3 rear Spoiler - Tail light mod - LED interior lighting - k&n panel Filter - Performance Diffuser - Carbon Badges alround - Bluetooth - Air intake scoops - Painted Calipers - Custom Stainless Exhaust
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10-21-2013, 01:10 PM	#10
Jeff@TopGearSolutions 3441 Rep 79,211 Posts Drives: C6 Z06, 09 335i, 10 335xi Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: www.TopGearSolutions.com iTrader: (37)	Read the CC-ID. Inspect that specific bulb. To get the CC-ID the bulb error indicator should illuminate at that time you push in on the stalk. I forget the exact name but you hold it in for a couple seconds and the code should appear. Cross check that CC-ID with google and it should tell you which bulb is out. Many times it's the brake light but you naturally cannot see that while your in the car or walking around it. I've found that replacing the bulb with generic bulbs at a gas station does not fair too well as they always burn out a lot sooner and appear black after a few months of use. I recommend replacing all your bulbs with a higher quality sylvania. The brake light also has two bulbs in some BMW so while it may illuminate it may only be 1 of the 2 bulbs (Per side). If the said light is actually still working try cleaning the contact with WD-40.
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10-22-2013, 06:43 AM	#11
johngrossi Second Lieutenant 9 Rep 234 Posts Drives: 2011 135i e82 Join Date: May 2013 Location: Illinois iTrader: (1)	I remember reading something about the footwell module being faulty and causing false codes to be thrown...although that would be the last thing to check, start with the easy stuff. __________________ PE exhaust, tints...more to come
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10-23-2013, 01:29 PM	#12
bryguycbr New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Plano TX iTrader: (0)	Check your license plate light.
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10-23-2013, 01:43 PM	#13
edirtaynine Major General 81 Rep 6,092 Posts Drives: e92 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	your car is fucking with you __________________ e90post killed plastidip Just say no to painted stock wheels jm3as hooks it up
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12-03-2013, 09:04 AM	#14
hunginator Lieutenant 154 Rep 553 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 135i E82 DCT Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (0)	Are there any DIY's to remove the rear brake light assemblies? I'm having this issue but I don't want to bring my car into the dealer for something that sounds quite simple.
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12-06-2013, 04:25 PM	#15
N8N Lieutenant Colonel 170 Rep 1,843 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Berwyn Heights, MD iTrader: (2)	I think it's actually in the owner's manual - the pass side you can get by removing the battery cover. Driver's side I assume is similarly easy but not sure as I haven't had to go in there yet. (for the ones in the fender that is... the ones in the trunk lid you would remove the inside trim)
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12-06-2013, 05:03 PM	#16
hunginator Lieutenant 154 Rep 553 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 135i E82 DCT Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (0)	Ah, I'll give it a try. Thanks for the help.
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