Multiple Lighting Failures
12-14-2009, 12:32 PM
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On my way to work this morning, I got multiple lighting failure warnings, all from the right rear - back-up lamp, turn signal, and brake.
Does this sound like a fuse? What else might explain all the lights going out at the same time. Does anyone know if all three lights use the same fuse. The fuse diagram in the trunk was not that detailed or helpful. I have already made an appointment to have it checked out, but if it is something simple I will save the time of going in.
TIA
Rob
Does this sound like a fuse? What else might explain all the lights going out at the same time. Does anyone know if all three lights use the same fuse. The fuse diagram in the trunk was not that detailed or helpful. I have already made an appointment to have it checked out, but if it is something simple I will save the time of going in.
TIA
Rob
12-14-2009, 12:37 PM
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Not sure about the fuse, but the only thing I can think of is maybe the plug going to that tail light got unplugged or not fully plugged in somehow? Each tail light does use a single plug to connect to the wiring harness so that could be the problem. Other than that I doubt they use the same fuse, I have never seen a car where all the taillights use the same fuse. It's usually one fuse for brake lights (Left and Right) another for turn signals and yet another for backup lights, which would make sense since no one wants to lose all the lights at once.
12-14-2009, 12:41 PM
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Originally Posted by pjinca' post='1073583' date='Dec 14 2009, 05:37 PM
Not sure about the fuse, but the only thing I can think of is maybe the plug going to that tail light got unplugged or not fully plugged in somehow? Each tail light does use a single plug to connect to the wiring harness so that could be the problem. Other than that I doubt they use the same fuse, I have never seen a car where all the taillights use the same fuse. It's usually one fuse for brake lights (Left and Right) another for turn signals and yet another for backup lights, which would make sense since no one wants to lose all the lights at once.
Is the plug accessible from inside the trunk, or do you need to remove the lens from the outside?
12-14-2009, 12:44 PM
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Originally Posted by robg' post='1073589' date='Dec 14 2009, 11:41 PM
Thanks.
Is the plug accessible from inside the trunk, or do you need to remove the lens from the outside?
Is the plug accessible from inside the trunk, or do you need to remove the lens from the outside?
.
12-14-2009, 12:47 PM
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Exactly, remove the carpeted panel behind the light, then the light will be right there. Check the plug first, if that seems to be in order remove the plastic tabs and you can take out all the light bulbs at once (really convenient) and then check the bulbs. The plug plugs into the bracket that holds all the light bulbs, the bracket plugs into the back of the light housing.
12-14-2009, 12:58 PM
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Originally Posted by pjinca' post='1073595' date='Dec 14 2009, 04:47 PM
Exactly, remove the carpeted panel behind the light, then the light will be right there. Check the plug first, if that seems to be in order remove the plastic tabs and you can take out all the light bulbs at once (really convenient) and then check the bulbs. The plug plugs into the bracket that holds all the light bulbs, the bracket plugs into the back of the light housing.
Thanks. Now I know what I am doing tonight.
12-14-2009, 01:07 PM
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Probably totally unrelated, but I just found out of a SIB for the E46 for rear light failures due to BMW design flaw that basically overheats the GND wire connection and melts the socket, among other thing. Look for burnt wiring or melted plastic around the connector. Here's the thread from the E46 site.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=158765
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=158765
12-14-2009, 07:13 PM
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Originally Posted by porsche911targa' post='1073610' date='Dec 14 2009, 05:07 PM
Probably totally unrelated, but I just found out of a SIB for the E46 for rear light failures due to BMW design flaw that basically overheats the GND wire connection and melts the socket, among other thing. Look for burnt wiring or melted plastic around the connector. Here's the thread from the E46 site.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=158765
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=158765
Off to the dealer.
12-15-2009, 05:15 AM
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Originally Posted by robg' post='1073785' date='Dec 14 2009, 11:13 PM
Thanks for the link. It looks like I experienced the same problem they are having in the E46. The brown wire terminal in the right rear lighting cluster wire harness appears to have overheated and melted, as shown in the attached pics. Sorry for the blurry picture (last one showing harness in place). If only there was a thread in the forum about what camera to buy . . . Off to the dealer.
Off to the dealer.
