warning light???

[Gold86Bimmer]

86' 528e, auto trans.....question:
What does this light mean? It is on most of the time and sometimes goes away. It seems to trigger the flashing 'check' light in the dash ( not 'check engine light'). And what is this unit of warning lights called (above the mirror)? Thanks in advance!:dunno:

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/626MazLazerRed/BMW-warninglights/brakewaringBB.jpg

[jimoreno]

This is the Active Check system. It checks every vital light and fluid on the car constantly. If the "Check" light comes on, you push the "Check" button as a way of acknowledging that you looked at it and saw what the problem is. Every morning when you start the car it will flash until you step on the brakes (if there is nothing else wrong!) since that is the only way of testing them and making sure that they work. If the light is on it means that you have a burnt bulb.

[Gold86Bimmer]

Thanks for the info.........I must have a 'short' in the rear tail light assembly. Sometimes the warning light turns off (by itself) but most of the time it stays on. I replaced all bulbs and replaced both taillight assemblies this past summer.

The previous owner put in an after-market stereo system that seemed not to operate properly (amp & added speakers) and must have crossed wires somewhere??? I think this is causing the 'short'???

It also seems that previous owner(s) added higher wattage bulbs and this melted the plastic housing to the past taillight assemblies and may have caused some damage along the wiring system????

Any ideas of how or where to start looking?????

[Gryphon]

Check your tail ground wire and connection.

[jimoreno]

Make sure that you clean all contacts and that you have "silver" base bulbs not brass base since this tends to make the system go a little bit crazy (probably because of different resistance). The previous owner probably installed the incorrect bulb type with higher wattage bulbs thus causing the melting. Worst case scenario you can replace the bulb sockets if they are beyond repair.

Good Luck!