Brake Light + Micro Filter

[SMikha]

Hey guys, I have a '97 328is. I tried changing the microfilter today and I could not for the life of me find it without taking the glove box out. So I decided to try the glove box, and it wouldn't budge, I opened it all and ended up with 9 screws... WTF?

Now to add to my problem, I was driving and my left tail light burnt out. So I changed out the bulb. Lucky me, it didn't help. I've been reading on this and it looks like the brake light circuit? But that's not the error I'm getting. I'm get a tail light error on the OBC.

If you guys could help me with both problems that'd be perfect!

[usherboy83]

i had ur brake light problem as well....check the actual metal that connects to the bulb connector on the tail light itself...mine was burnt out there for some reason, so the metal in the connector wasnt connecting to the tail light itself, so even a new bulb would shine.....and i think there are supposed to be 10 bolts in the glovebox....when i changed my filter all i did was remove the bottom footboard under the dash on the passenger side, and sat upside down in the pass seat and u look up in there, take out the plastic air duct piece shaped like a F and the filter is there behind some massive wiring.....u just have to be sure what to look for....its a jut out twisting knob that u have to take off, and the filter sits behind that

[SMikha]

you're talking about the two metal pieces on the bulb housing that completes the circuit? Like when you tighten the plastic housing on that particular bulb, it should clamp in and there should be two metal pieces completing the circuit?
If so, I checked that and everything was lining up perfectly.

The F shape under the compartment, how do you take it out? I saw it and I figured that's where the filter is hidden behind, but damn I didn't want to play around too much because I was scared to break more than I had to.

[usherboy83]

that piece is just like the brake ducts, just pops in place..just wiggle it a bit and it should come out....then looking up into under the dash, look to the right and you chould see where the filter sits....u will have to push the wiring harness up out of the way to get the filter out

[SMikha]

ok I'm going to put the filter on hold, because I have a wiring problem.

My rear tail lights don't work when braking/lights on. However, the signal works. My driver side corner works when signalling, but not on normal lights on. WTF is going on? Did I fuck up wiring under the glove-box or is this a shitty coincidence? I've checked all fuses and they all are perfect and all bulbs are perfect with 100% match up. Can anyone help me out here? Anything is appreciated!

[usherboy83]

u need a new bulb in the driver corner....one of the two diodes burnt out, this just happened with me and thats what it was......ur break lightss may be due to the break switch(stop light switch) needing to be replaced

[SMikha]

isn't the break light switch usually related to ABS problems? My ABS and ASC work perfectly...
Is there any way to test the voltage of my rear tail lights and confirm there is no break in the circuits from light bulb holder to the tail light assembly?

[wbarfels]

No it's not Related to the ABS, But it also wouldn't cause 1 light to not come on either. The problem USUALY is either what usherboy said, and you need to replace another light, because of the way there wired if one goes the other Dosnt get power, Or what happens the other 90% of the time is that whole metal plate buisness gets corroded and or bent, and that plastic thing that Holds the bulb Dosn't make contact because of it. You can clean the contacts, maybe scrape the metal a bit so it gets a good connection.......But it's usually A pain cause it keeps happening to Different lights, and It's because the Design Sucks. DDM Sells Tail lights that simply plug into the harness where your old Tail light plugs into, and each Bulb has 2 wires going to it (no metal plate) and the whole thing is sealed and comes with new lights for around $50. You can get the Normal one that SOME of the car's come with that is all red with a clearish strip at the top, or the one with a Smoked strip at the top, Either way they look better, Have brighter Halogen Bulbs, and Don't cause problems! http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/E36-Halogen-Tail-Lights
Here is what DDM says about them:

Ditch the US Spec amber taillights and unclutter your rear end. Our coupe and sedan clear or smoked taillights are compatible with the E36's OBC and rarely trigger the dreaded "taillight out" or "check tail lights" failure messages. Comes with all required seals and are a direct Plug and Play solution.

(http://www.ddmtuning.com/index.php?p=product&id=198&parent=134/)