E60 Discussion Anything and everything to do with the E60 5 Series. All are welcome!
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Tail light issue

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-25-2012, 05:39 AM
  #1  
New Members
Thread Starter
 
ernie2409's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: nj
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

This is for my 2008 528xi. I started getting the light malfunction error on the screen. Then it would go away for a while, then come back. So i finally took the taillight housing out for inspection and this is what i found.

Tail light issue-photo2.jpg
Tail light issue-photo3.jpg

So i have no problem replacing the housing and connector, but i just do want it to return. Has this happened to anyone else and could this be a recalled item?

Thanks
Old 02-25-2012, 05:44 AM
  #2  
Members
 
best1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 550i M-Sport
Default

Yes It has happened to me and several others on this forum. I am not sure if the replacement parts will permanently fix the problem as it may come back 3 years later on the other side or the same side.
Old 02-25-2012, 07:56 AM
  #3  
Members
 
saltdog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 BMW M5
Default

You might ask Bruce Miranda on this forum, since he knows all about the tails!
Old 02-25-2012, 08:09 AM
  #4  
Members
 
BMW535xia's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Maryland
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

had the pass. side repaired by dealer under original warranty a few months back. no other problem with either side to date and have no info if was recalled [but i doubt]. don't worry the warning will return...part of the problem is a grounding issue at site.
Old 02-25-2012, 11:03 AM
  #5  
New Members
Thread Starter
 
ernie2409's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: nj
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Thanks everyone for your replies, im going to replace it and if it last 3 years, thats ok with me. Only $40 to fix so i can deal with it.
Old 02-25-2012, 11:28 PM
  #6  
Members
 
C_o_s_m_i_n's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ro
Posts: 181
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

I had almost the same issue. But as I like to check all on a fresh bought car, I discovered it in early stage. I pressed hardly the contact and I have no problems since then.
I think it could be called a common problem...
Old 02-26-2012, 12:14 AM
  #7  
Contributors
 
bruce_miranda's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: London, UK
Posts: 4,719
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
My Ride: BMW E60 520d SE Saloon M47 2.0dTitanium Grey II, Grey−Dakota Leather, Visibility Package, Media Package, Through Load System, Lumbar support − fr seats, Automatic Air Conditioning−Advanced, High beam assistant, Hi−Fi Loudspeak
Model Year: 2006
Default

This is indeed a common problem with the LCI cars. I think the problem is that somewhere in the chain of wiring harness BMW reduced the size of the ground path.

I would seriously recommend LCI owners to change their brake lights with the LED equivalents and then code the car to remove the errors. Don't replace with LED bulbs that cancel the errors because that will defeat the purpose. Doing this will reduce the total current flowing through the common ground on the tail light.
Old 02-26-2012, 05:23 AM
  #8  
Members
 
C_o_s_m_i_n's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ro
Posts: 181
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Agree with that... and already tried, but the LED equivalents aren't bright enough.
Old 02-26-2012, 08:37 AM
  #9  
Contributors
 
luigi524td's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: The State of Southern NJ!
Posts: 5,972
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Someone missed that engineering class but got hired anyway !!

Isn't this issue enough to warrant a recall from BMW? Or has one already been put in place?

If, on a car w/o modifications, wiring melt-downs like this happened - even 2-3 years after warranty - Someone should raise one hell of a stink with BMW corporate.
Old 02-26-2012, 09:37 AM
  #10  
Contributors
 
bruce_miranda's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: London, UK
Posts: 4,719
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
My Ride: BMW E60 520d SE Saloon M47 2.0dTitanium Grey II, Grey−Dakota Leather, Visibility Package, Media Package, Through Load System, Lumbar support − fr seats, Automatic Air Conditioning−Advanced, High beam assistant, Hi−Fi Loudspeak
Model Year: 2006
Default

Originally Posted by C_o_s_m_i_n
Agree with that... and already tried, but the LED equivalents aren't bright enough.
There are some pretty bright LEDs out there. I have a set on my car and you wouldn't be able to tell it was an LED.


Quick Reply: Tail light issue



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 10:16 PM.