Brake lights on 95 325 don't work - new owner in need of help

I am a new owner of an old car... just replaced the engine with a slightly used one, then had to clean out the top end and replace the O2 sensor to pass emissions. Now the brake lights don't work. I replaced all of the light bulbs (got them from Auto Zone - saw that might be an issue) and also replaced the brake light switch. Still nothing. It started as an intermittent problem, but now they just don't work at all.... This car has killer suspension and runs great, but I can't even take it to the mountains to look at leaves!!!! sniff sniff Help please.

Have you checked the fuses? Maybe they blew for some odd reason . And, you should be completely fine with autozone bulbs .

Check those fuses then get back to us. Hope its as simple as that.

Thanks, man. Did that too... sorry, forgot to mention that. We also looked at the wires in the harness at the trunk. Some were pretty worn out, and we fixed those. Before they went out completely, you could hear the solenoid click when you hit the brakes. It is a mystery.

Originally Posted by cmy_bimmer

Have you checked the fuses? Maybe they blew for some odd reason . And, you should be completely fine with autozone bulbs .

Check those fuses then get back to us. Hope its as simple as that.

Originally Posted by d00ley

Thanks, man. Did that too... sorry, forgot to mention that. We also looked at the wires in the harness at the trunk. Some were pretty worn out, and we fixed those. Before they went out completely, you could hear the solenoid click when you hit the brakes. It is a mystery.

If you can hear the relay clicking then it should be getting signal, BUT im going to say its most probably a lost connection somewhere along the way.

Before they stopped working altogether, we could hear the relay. Now, even with a new one in place, we don't hear it.

Originally Posted by cmy_bimmer

If you can hear the relay clicking then it should be getting signal, BUT im going to say its most probably a lost connection somewhere along the way.

Originally Posted by cmy_bimmer

If you can hear the relay clicking then it should be getting signal, BUT im going to say its most probably a lost connection somewhere along the way.

+1


test the connections with a volt meter.... make sure the connections are getting juice.


then just back track till you find it...

auto trans?? the 'click' you could be hearing may be the shift interlock solenoid. try jumping the brake switch under the dash. if that turns the lights on then you will need a new switch.

df

Make sure your contacts on the light housing are good.

so you replaced your engine and did some cool stuff yet cant diagnose a simple electrical problem?
I would start by checking that your getting 12v at the connector.

I didn't personally replace the engine - we paid someone to do it. The car had been a gift to my fiance's son. He wrecked it, blew the engine and generally ragged out what was a really nice car. Anyway, he was in Valdosta and took the car to a mechanic who found an engine with 63K on it. We decided to have it put in and keep the car for ourselves. What we are finding is that the mechanic that put the engine in really didn't know much about BMWs. We have done some fixes ourselves to get the emissions, and thought the brake lights would be simple. But not so.

Originally Posted by bboyvek

so you replaced your engine and did some cool stuff yet cant diagnose a simple electrical problem?
I would start by checking that your getting 12v at the connector.