Intermittent Exterior Lamp Malfunction

CosmosMpower · 06-26-2011, 09:31 PM

I've been getting a random error/warning light for bad exterior bulb. When I check all the bulbs they seem to be working and the error goes away by itself after a while until it reappears the next time. Any idea what it could be? Is it common to have loose contacts on some bulbs that might cause this?

drewmeyer87 · 06-26-2011, 09:38 PM

Same issue here... 2009 e90.

It went on and off for a while and now it's been stuck on the last 2 months and it doesn't appear any of my bulbs are dead.

I have LED Angel Eyes, but they are working and supposedly error free.

awd · 06-26-2011, 09:46 PM

I had the same problem. Ended up being a light that was a little dimmer than the rest. It was really hard to spot.

CosmosMpower · 06-26-2011, 09:52 PM

Sorry just realized I posted this in the wrong section, mods feel free to move. Is there any way for the system to tell which bulb it is?

howiedds · 06-26-2011, 10:01 PM

remove the bulbs and reattach em again...solved the prob for me (2009 335xi)

CosmosMpower · 06-27-2011, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howiedds

remove the bulbs and reattach em again...solved the prob for me (2009 335xi)

Which one? Tail light? I imagine the headlight turn signal bulbs etc are probably harder to get to.

335i-boy · 06-28-2011, 04:26 AM

Had the same problem on my E46 330Ci. I had a warning light that a rear tail light was out. I changed them out with some generic bulbs.......Still had the warnning light....Went to the dealer and bought some"BMW" globes.....Warning light was still there.

I just put it down to a wiring problem with the car then tried to ignore the warning light.

After 6 months whilst loading some luggage into the boot (that is trunk for the yanks) I realised that one of the license plate globes was blown. Changed it out. Warning light GONE. Thank F*** for that.

howiedds · 06-28-2011, 10:07 AM

doesnt the warning usually tell you where the malfunction is (i have idrive)? Mine kept pinging rear left bulb. i removed the bulbs in the rear and it was fine after that. Another time my right rear blew out, i used a golf umbrella to step on the brake and found the burnt out bulb.

wrickem · 06-28-2011, 10:19 AM

Your rear bulb holders probably need to be replaced. This is a known problem for coupes. When I had this problem in my '07 coupe, I found a TSB around here. They come loose and and you get the warning. It takes the dealer 10 minutes to replace both sides.

happy4nk8er · 06-28-2011, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrickem

Your rear bulb holders probably need to be replaced. This is a known problem for coupes. When I had this problem in my '07 coupe, I found a TSB around here. They come loose and and you get the warning. It takes the dealer 10 minutes to replace both sides.

Ditto, had the warning with all light still working they replaced bulb holders and it went away.

06-26-2011, 09:31 PM	#1
CosmosMpower Brigadier General 2054 Rep 3,714 Posts Drives: F87c, GT3, MK7 GTI Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Frisco, TX iTrader: (1)	Intermittent Exterior Lamp Malfunction I've been getting a random error/warning light for bad exterior bulb. When I check all the bulbs they seem to be working and the error goes away by itself after a while until it reappears the next time. Any idea what it could be? Is it common to have loose contacts on some bulbs that might cause this?
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06-26-2011, 09:38 PM	#2
drewmeyer87 Chump 10 Rep 173 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (2)	Same issue here... 2009 e90. It went on and off for a while and now it's been stuck on the last 2 months and it doesn't appear any of my bulbs are dead. I have LED Angel Eyes, but they are working and supposedly error free.
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06-26-2011, 09:46 PM	#3
awd Private First Class 3 Rep 158 Posts Drives: 16 M4 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: vancouver wa iTrader: (0)	I had the same problem. Ended up being a light that was a little dimmer than the rest. It was really hard to spot.
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06-26-2011, 09:52 PM	#4
CosmosMpower Brigadier General 2054 Rep 3,714 Posts Drives: F87c, GT3, MK7 GTI Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Frisco, TX iTrader: (1)	Sorry just realized I posted this in the wrong section, mods feel free to move. Is there any way for the system to tell which bulb it is?
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06-26-2011, 10:01 PM	#5
howiedds D.D.S. 31 Rep 460 Posts Drives: 12 AW E70 X5d Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Brooklyn, NY iTrader: (5)	remove the bulbs and reattach em again...solved the prob for me (2009 335xi)
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06-28-2011, 04:26 AM	#7
335i-boy Lieutenant 15 Rep 457 Posts Drives: E92 335i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Had the same problem on my E46 330Ci. I had a warning light that a rear tail light was out. I changed them out with some generic bulbs.......Still had the warnning light....Went to the dealer and bought some"BMW" globes.....Warning light was still there. I just put it down to a wiring problem with the car then tried to ignore the warning light. After 6 months whilst loading some luggage into the boot (that is trunk for the yanks) I realised that one of the license plate globes was blown. Changed it out. Warning light GONE. Thank F*** for that. __________________ 2008 E92 335i M-Sport \| Sapphire Black \| Sunroof \| Creme Beige \| Poplar Grey \| Logic 7 \| 6AT \| 19" AG M359's \| Michelin PS4S \| LUX V3 \| MHD V5 E40 \| Steve AZ Walbro inline \| Vishnu DCI \| BMS CP \| AR Design Catless DP's \| Forge DV's \| Helix IC \| (Stock Cat. back) \|
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06-28-2011, 10:07 AM	#8
howiedds D.D.S. 31 Rep 460 Posts Drives: 12 AW E70 X5d Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Brooklyn, NY iTrader: (5)	doesnt the warning usually tell you where the malfunction is (i have idrive)? Mine kept pinging rear left bulb. i removed the bulbs in the rear and it was fine after that. Another time my right rear blew out, i used a golf umbrella to step on the brake and found the burnt out bulb.
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06-28-2011, 10:19 AM	#9
wrickem Big Beaver Smile 2125 Rep 3,792 Posts Drives: What he wants to Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: lambertville nj iTrader: (0)	Your rear bulb holders probably need to be replaced. This is a known problem for coupes. When I had this problem in my '07 coupe, I found a TSB around here. They come loose and and you get the warning. It takes the dealer 10 minutes to replace both sides. __________________ ______________________________________________ Current- '21 430 , '19 911, 07 M6 ,'17 Jeep Wrangler, "23 Bronco OBXluxsquatch Last edited by wrickem; 06-28-2011 at 10:24 AM..
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