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!!!! :bawling: sniff sniff Help please.
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.
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. :dunno:
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.
i think this will help. it has a brake diagram, '6325.0' is the listing. it's about 2/3 of the way down. i don't believe there were many changes in the circuits from model year to model year with the same options, at least that has not been my experience. most manufacturers will stick with the same colors for wiring, even with various models.
i would suggest confirming there is power to the switch with the key on. if no power, then check the fusebox connections underneath. they may have been wiggled loose during the engine replacement.
if there is power to the switch, then confirm there is ground in the circuit with a test light. if there is no ground, then check the ground connection x13006. the last sections, 7000, 7100, 8000, and 8500 show what the connections look like and where they are in the vehicle as the diagram is only a guide as to the order of things. the actual components may vary slightly (such as the high mounted brake light is not to the side of the right hand side brakelight, nor is the cruise control moduleto the right of the high mounted brake light)
This is a great resource! I will work on it this weekend.... I really appreciate your response and the detail. Awesome stuff.
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