Hi,
First post to this forum, and hope I can get some advice to correct this problem. Here's the story: My 2005 330XI has for the last three years had a problem where the right rear lights out dash warning indicator lights up upon starting the car. Point #1: This only happens in daylight. It never has occurred in the night or when parked in a dark garage during the day. Point #2: It only happens in a temperature range of approx. 45-75F. I have no idea why, it just does. Point #3: I could get the warning indicator light to turn off (and remain off) by simply turning the headlight selector rotary switch all the way to the right, ie., 'on' position. Wait 10 seconds or so, and the rear light warning indicator would go out and stay off. I could then return the switch to the 'auto' position on the far left. In the last two weeks, the time it takes for the dash warning indicator to go off increased to as much as 20 seconds, until yesterday when I could not get it to turn off at all. Point #4: I notice that the warning indicator only turned on after starting the car and after I stepped on the brake pedal. So, I assumed this was a faulty ground on the right rear lighting assembly; the recall one. Although the connector showed no signs of overheating, I soldered a separate ground to that assembly as many have suggested, tested it and am sure it's sound, but this did not solve the problem, and the rear right light out indicator remains on after stepping on the brakes. Point #5: I tested all light bulbs in the right rear housing with a separate 12v source and they are okay. Point #6: I check voltages across all bulb housing and they are within specs (>12v). Point #7: When I was able to turn off the warning indicator by moving the headlight selector switch to the 'on' position, I believe I heard a subtle click, like a solenoid closing, when the dash lights out indicator turned off.
Okay that's the story, and my question is probably obvious: What's wrong with my car? Right now, I'm guessing the lighting module may be defective, but I really don't have any evidence to support this. The garage where I have all the 'heavy' work on my 330xi done thinks it's a ground problem, but if it is, it isn't in the right rear lighting assembly.
If you have a minute and have some thoughts on this, please send a reply. I appreciate any and all help.
Cheers,
Bob
First post to this forum, and hope I can get some advice to correct this problem. Here's the story: My 2005 330XI has for the last three years had a problem where the right rear lights out dash warning indicator lights up upon starting the car. Point #1: This only happens in daylight. It never has occurred in the night or when parked in a dark garage during the day. Point #2: It only happens in a temperature range of approx. 45-75F. I have no idea why, it just does. Point #3: I could get the warning indicator light to turn off (and remain off) by simply turning the headlight selector rotary switch all the way to the right, ie., 'on' position. Wait 10 seconds or so, and the rear light warning indicator would go out and stay off. I could then return the switch to the 'auto' position on the far left. In the last two weeks, the time it takes for the dash warning indicator to go off increased to as much as 20 seconds, until yesterday when I could not get it to turn off at all. Point #4: I notice that the warning indicator only turned on after starting the car and after I stepped on the brake pedal. So, I assumed this was a faulty ground on the right rear lighting assembly; the recall one. Although the connector showed no signs of overheating, I soldered a separate ground to that assembly as many have suggested, tested it and am sure it's sound, but this did not solve the problem, and the rear right light out indicator remains on after stepping on the brakes. Point #5: I tested all light bulbs in the right rear housing with a separate 12v source and they are okay. Point #6: I check voltages across all bulb housing and they are within specs (>12v). Point #7: When I was able to turn off the warning indicator by moving the headlight selector switch to the 'on' position, I believe I heard a subtle click, like a solenoid closing, when the dash lights out indicator turned off.
Okay that's the story, and my question is probably obvious: What's wrong with my car? Right now, I'm guessing the lighting module may be defective, but I really don't have any evidence to support this. The garage where I have all the 'heavy' work on my 330xi done thinks it's a ground problem, but if it is, it isn't in the right rear lighting assembly.
If you have a minute and have some thoughts on this, please send a reply. I appreciate any and all help.
Cheers,
Bob