brake light out!!! changed brake light switch twice

[blzcrank]

I have a problem and was hoping someone on here might be able to help me out.
I have the drivers side brake light out on my 96 328i.:mad I replaced the tail lights 3 times (from stock to led to Depo led), changed the brake light twice (thinking i might have bought a bad one). The problem still exist!!!! Could it be the wire from the trunk lid to the trunk??? The fuses look ok, not sure which one is the brake light. The weird thing is the passenger brake light works perfect. I have had this problem for about 2 years, in the beginning I had " 1 Brake Light Failure " and " Brake Light Circuit" on the OBC, but Have not seen any warnings in months.............any Ideas????? :eek:

[flyfishvt]

If you replaced it with aftermarket and you're it still wont work I would say it could definately be the wires in the trunk lid. its pretty easy to check them.

[blzcrank]

how do you check it?


If you replaced it with aftermarket and you're it still wont work I would say it could definately be the wires in the trunk lid. its pretty easy to check them.

whats the best way to check? I tried bending the wire around. The interior trunk light does flicker but the brake light doesn't light up still
:eyecrazy

[flyfishvt]

Check this thread.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=79896

[blzcrank]

I looked at that the other day, ill give it a try....I was hoping i wouldnt have to do this because there is not a schematic online, at least i cant find one (BMW might be able to supply me with one). Thamks for the help if anyone can think of anything else please let me know!!!

[flyfishvt]

You don't need a schematic to check for broken wires. Just pull back the rubber sheath and inspect each wire for cracks or missing insulation or breaks. If you find any problems repair them and wrap them up.

[Joylove]

I looked at that the other day, ill give it a try....I was hoping i wouldnt have to do this because there is not a schematic online, First hit on google (http://wedophones.com/Manuals/BMW/1996%20BMW%20318is-c%20-%20320i%20-%20325i-c%20-%20328i-c%20%20Electrical%20Troubleshooting%20Manual.pdf)f or E36 pdf schematic.

[blzcrank]

Thanks ill try to fix this tonight, ill let you know how it goes.:buttrock

:helpUpdate:

I just got done looking at the trunk lid wire. Its in GOOD condition, no cuts or open wires, the wires looked fine. one brown one had a little bend but seemed to be ok. A coe worker told me that it is possible that the wire could be broken internally. could i possibly have a shorted wire??? Im now running out of ideas.....my brake light still does not work. what other wires can i check?

anyone?

[driftedtofu]

did u check the bulb sockets? i had this forawhile until i swapped out the socket that was giving me the problem

[blzcrank]

yes its all plastic being that they are led's. im starting to wonder if i should change my headlight switch.

[flyfishvt]

The most likely culprit for your problem is that wire bundle. All the lights in the cluster share a common ground so if you have any lights in the cluster working its very doubtful that the ground wire is the source of the problem.

If you get totally frustrated and can't find a solution I would be very tempted to do a continuity test of each wire in that bundle. And I would triple check each bulb to make sure its not something simple.

[blzcrank]

Im going to try the continuity test and im going to have to check the bulbs ill post my results, thanks for the help