98 BMW 328i OBC "Check Control"

[nycfin3st90]

When I turned my lights on the car it says "Check Control" on the dashboard by the speedometer. But the problem is that my OBC has bad pixels and doesn't work. What can it possibly be saying if it only goes on when I turn my lights/headlights on. It just started happening today...

[dhinez]

do you have hids in the headlights? Maybe a bad bulb?

[nycfin3st90]

No...I just got the normal eagle / angel eyes...It never did this before until now.... Odd...:rolleyes

[jmo69]

Probably low beam failure, check all lights that go on with them for other failures.

[Jfriday11]

Probably low beam failure, check all lights that go on with them for other failures.

+1 although if everything looks good it could just be a faulty sensor. My brake light failure message has been on for a while now and my brake lights are just fine :)

[jmo69]

My brake light failure message has been on for a while now and my brake lights are just fine :)
that's most likely the brake light switch, common failure, easy fix.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/E36-Brake_Switch/E36-Brake_Switch.htm

[Jfriday11]

hmmm ill double check, but ive checked to see if they were working multiple times and sure enough their working. Im 99% positive its the sensor.

[nycfin3st90]

Hmm....so you think it is the Brake Light Switch but the "Check Control" comes on even if I dont hit the brake

[jmo69]

The brake switch can be defective and still light the brake lights, it's tied to the OBC, that's why it has 4 wires.

[nycfin3st90]

So Where would I buy the switch from and you think I would be able to replace it myself is it hard or it simple procedure

I'll see if it still happens again I have had the car off for little while I will report soon and exactly what happens again lol.... :/ urghhh

[jmo69]

So Where would I buy the switch from and you think I would be able to replace it myself is it hard or it simple procedure

I'll see if it still happens again I have had the car off for little while I will report soon and exactly what happens again lol.... :/ urghhh
The switch isn't hard to replace, I bought mine on e-bay, try here http://www.bimmerspecialist.com/usa/parts/index/bmw
Part# : 61 31 8 360 417 ,$17.89 + shipping, just a little cramped under the dash, helps to have the car running so it's easier to press the pedal. This will get rid of the brake light failure, if the check control comes on with the headlights, it's something on those circuits. HID installation can trigger a 'low beam failure'. This will disable the 'check control' function and lose the light, but all the things that it checks will not show up if they fail. It is reversable and I've done it to my car. http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1036932

[nycfin3st90]

So yeaa....What exactly happens is...When I turn on the car NOTHING I can hit the brake and still nothing as soon as I turn the lights on it says "Check Control" but like I said I can't read what it says on the OBC because pixels are shot....So you think it can still be brake light switch or what else can it be maybe bad bulb in rear lights that always stay on or something.....

[randomy]

The OBC is real easy to swap. Do you have a friend you can borrow theirs from for a moment to find what it is trying to let you know?

[rehrer325iS]

What it could be if you don't notice any headlights or tailights out is a license plate light failure. My OBC alerted me of this once, otherwise I would have never caught it.

[nycfin3st90]

What it could be if you don't notice any headlights or tailights out is a license plate light failure. My OBC alerted me of this once, otherwise I would have never caught it.

Your a life saver....Problem SOLVED!!! Yes it is the license plate bulb lol so now how do I remove it picture is attached below... I removed the screws and now do i pull it out or something...