'1 Brake Light Failure' Weird Situation

[hunt1200]

The message '1 Brake Light Failure' had been comming on and off intermittently, but none of the brake lights had failed, although one light is slower to come on when you press the brake and dimmer.

Yesterday the message stayed on constantly and when I checked, the brake light was completely burned out (not just dim). So I went and bought a new brake light. Installed it, started the car, and no '1 Brake Light Failure' message. So I thought it was over with.

But the next time I started the car, the good old '1 Brake Light Failure' message came back on and the new brake light was completely burned out again.

I have no idea what the heck is the problem and any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[bim530mer]

The message '1 Brake Light Failure' had been comming on and off intermittently, but none of the brake lights had failed, although one light is slower to come on when you press the brake and dimmer.

Yesterday the message stayed on constantly and when I checked, the brake light was completely burned out (not just dim). So I went and bought a new brake light. Installed it, started the car, and no '1 Brake Light Failure' message. So I thought it was over with.

But the next time I started the car, the good old '1 Brake Light Failure' message came back on and the new brake light was completely burned out again.

I have no idea what the heck is the problem and any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

I had the same problem.. I replaced the old bulb with an after market one and the problem seems to be resolved for few days when it started again... Now it is ok... wierd...

[Ronnie526]

I've had my 99 328 cabrio for 2 years. Was getting same message intermittently (every couple of days) since day 1. After having my wife stand behind & check to see that brake lights WERE working every time message displayed ( about a dozen times), I eventually just ignored message. About a month later, left brake light DID burn out. Replaced & have not gotten message since. Very intuitive carputer :dunno:

[Paul Frey]

Hey guys,

I had the same problem and completely fixed it by replacing the brake light switch. See earlier messages for more details on how to replace it. I posted my reply with instrucitons in early April.

[allen85t]

Sounds like a short somewhere, could be in the switch, could be in the connector for the light itself.. of course could be anywhere in between, but usually not. The short would show up as, well, a short and thus trip the sensor.. and at the same time, could easily burn out the bulb.

[Bart001]

Hey guys,

I had the same problem and completely fixed it by replacing the brake light switch. See earlier messages for more details on how to replace it. I posted my reply with instrucitons in early April.

My E36 needed a new brake light switch approx. every 3 years. The 'weakness' of those switches is pretty well documented.

[Valk6pac]

I had the same problem. After this happened several times and checking the bulb, I found that the ground on the light socket was not making a good conection. This will also cause some of the plactic to melt do to heat, (not good). Anyway I cleaned it reinstalled it and haven't had a problem since. :) :)

[crash8168]

the circuit board melts on the lamp assembly leaving you with an intermittent/high resistance connection.

[Cheslavo]

It sounds really weird; I bought my '97 328i last February and one week after I went to the dealer because 1 break light failure was shown in the OBC; they changed the bulb and everything was fine...for a while. Same problem again, brought the car to my mechanic and they changed the bulb one more time; the next day, same problem again. I changed the socket which had une of the terminals burned and the problem was fixed...for two weeks; today, after a heavy rain, I turned on my car and OBC displayed "break circuit failure...see owner's manual" I did it but no useful information found...any clues? should I replace the break switch?

[Valk6pac]

I would search for the problem in the rear of your car where the original problem started. The light socket pops into a printed cicuit card. That could cause the reading on your OBC. If you've got power going in and out of your brake switch after the pedal is applied there's nothing wrong with you're switch. :thumbup:

[topetambo]

My 96 328is had that problem. I found that a couple of the bulbs had some buildup on the contacts. Took all the bulbs out and cleaned the connectors and the sockets in the lamp assembly and no longer get the brake light error.

[TEALSE36]

i have been gettin the break light failure. and chaged the break light switch, and now its back to break light failure, but non of the bulbs are out?....i kno this is a common problem, anybody got another fix other than break light switch?!:mad:

[silverball]

I found by using2157 bulbs instead of 1157 bulbs it seemed to solve my problems, just a little change in the voltage draw.

[Bmwcat]

I had the same problem. After this happened several times and checking the bulb, I found that the ground on the light socket was not making a good conection. This will also cause some of the plactic to melt do to heat, (not good). Anyway I cleaned it reinstalled it and haven't had a problem since. :) :)

I cleaned mine up with a small file and WD-40. Havent gotten a failure message in 2 years. :thumbup: