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Thread: Right rear brake and tail light doesn't work

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Richmond, VA
    Posts
    4
    My Cars
    1992 BMW 325i

    Right rear brake and tail light doesn't work [UPDATE - Did I get ripped off?]

    Hi, first time poster, long time reader here.

    I have a 1992 325i and the rear brake light and tail light do not work. I tried replacing both bulbs but it still doesn't work. I took a look at the fuses but I was not able to find a fuse for the right, nor the left, but rather one individual fuse for both. So it can't be the fuse because the left side tail and brake light work...right?

    So I guess my question is, how do I fix it? Or, what could the problem be?

    I would really appreciate any help you all could give me. Thanks!

    UPDATE - I just remembered I had a problem with the right tail light before and I took it in to a BMW repair shop

    This is what they wrote on the receipt almost two years ago.

    CHECK ALL LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHT OUT. CHECKED AND FOUND RIGHT TAIL LIGHT FULL OF WATER. REPLACED TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. CLEAN BULB SOCKET CONTACTS. SOCKET CONTACTS IN POOR CONDITION, WILL NEED TO REPLACE IF HAVE FURTHER PROBLEMS.
    Instead of replacing the ENTIRE assembly shouldnt they have just pulled it out, dumped the water out, re-sealed it, and then just replaced the socket contacts with new ones?

    - This cost me $192 for the light + $44.50 for labor. Did they replace the tail light assembly when I didn't actually need a new one? If so, is there anything I can do about it?

    bump for update
    Last edited by HAILVICTORY; 02-23-2010 at 10:29 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    H-TOWN
    Posts
    3,124
    My Cars
    N55 135i
    ouch. you got hosed.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Calgary Ab. Canada
    Posts
    5
    My Cars
    1992 325i

    Arrow Right rear tail light and brake light failure

    Hi, my right rear brake light and tail light failed. I thought oh, the bulbs must be burned out . I changed the bulbs and still nothing, I wiggled them around a bit and they would light up but not stay on. I removed the right rear lens by loosing the four 6mm nuts just until they were flush with the studs and then tapped on all four studs to loosen the lens from the car. Once it popped out loose I removed the nuts and took the lens to my bench. On the back of the lens, the four studs that the retaining nuts were on can be gently unscrewed as well which in turn allows you to remove the black plastic plate that the electrical connector plugs into. On the back side of that you will see the circuit board that goes from the back of the harness connector to all the different light bulbs. I found my circuit board going to the brake and the tail light bulbs were either eaten away by corrosion (nasty green powder),the black plastic pins used to retain the circuit board to the black plastic board were not holding the board in place and when I pushed the light bulb in either the grd. or the pos.contact would not stay in place. The area where the bulb contacts touch were also worn. My lens was also a third full of water??? So the tail light on the left side is doing the same thing . It seems that you can not just buy the circuit board (lack of a better name) on it's own. So now I am looking for some good used lens but I will be checking the circuit boards first !! This turned out to be fairly easy thing to do without going to a dealer.
    Last edited by mikka325i; 03-03-2010 at 01:06 PM. Reason: Add more content.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Golden, Colorado
    Posts
    213
    My Cars
    DD: 1986 535i; 1972 2002

    E36 rear light issues - can we talk?

    Hello, I am back on the board after a long time away. Glad to be back!

    I am running a 'development lab' (in my garage) to help my friends in the club increase rear light output and reliability for safety reasons. I am motivated to keep older BMWs out of the junk yard by helping them be seen more easily. My 1972 2002 was totalled five times; I have lots of experience being unseen on the road because of dim lights in back!

    I have done some good work with E23, E24, E28, and E30 so far, and would like to have a go at the E34 and E36 now.

    Mikka, Hail Victory-- I'll bet you aren't the only two with E36 tail / brake light issues!

    What you say is instructive, but I could really use a light you don't need so I can take it apart, see where the trouble is, and try to repair with a redesign. It would be nice to have a fix to avoid the water and corrosion and failure issues, eh? Lots of folks would benefit, no doubt.

    Has either of you got a used tail light assembly, the whole thing, that you replaced with a new one? I would like to make you a deal, get it here so I can play 'mad scientist', try to tweak it for better operation and higher reliability... like I did with my car (1986 535i) and many others.

    or anyone- don't care if the lens is cracked, it doesn't have to be pretty, just as long as it's a mostly complete housing/lens. Both sides would be best, but one will do if they are basically symmetrical.

    Anyone have an old non-working E36 tail light, and want to donate it to science? I'd be happy to make it worth your while ... I have some nice high output bulbs you can use to instantly brighten your rear lights, nickel base and all. Ready to swap?

    Thanks for your thoughtful consideration!
    "Be Seen, and Not Hurt"!
    Lighting Upgrades for 2002, E3, E9, E12, E21, E23, E24, E28, E30, E32, E36, E39
    Tail Light restoration and upgrades keep them off your tail
    Headlight protection film keeps lights intact and forward view clear

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Homestead, FL, USA
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    2003 BMW 525i M Sedan

    2003 e39 525i sedan rear tail like corroded

    New to this site but been reading and using the helpful tips. My 2003 e39 525i has been having this issue doe some time. Tried everything. I have sealed the lens and replaced the housing connector with new wires used 61138369702 and 61130006626. Then after one month my connector gets stuck. Thought the housing shorted and melted in there. So I bought a used tail Cialis light redid the same thing. Seal, bought new 61138369702 / 61130006626 and reconnected it. Worked for 1 month and back to square one. The connector is corroded again just like the first one. the dealer wants $280 plus shipping.

    Anyone what the deal with these tail light is? 'I've replaced the trunk weather-stripping, made sure my battery drain is connected to the hose, sealed the light, replaced the rubber/foam gasket behind the light. Only the rear right is causing the issue. I am hitting 200k with this car and love it. Still runs strong. Relined the headliners and pillars with a suede (long story, Alcantera was not feasible as none of the shops wanted to do it in Miami.

    Please! Need help anyone have a solution? Advise?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Las Vegas
    Posts
    4
    My Cars
    2006 x5 3.0

    Brake light fix

    I have had this problem with my E36 and my E53. The way the lights are made the bulbs ground on to a plate that completes the circuit. Over time the plate burns a hole where the ground is made. I think the problem might be attributed to using bulbs from the local autoparts store that are 27 watts opposed to the original equipment that is 21 watts. Also, the original bulbs have a nickel base. Not sure if any of this has to do with the destruction of the plate but I know that in both of my Bimmers the bulbs had been replaced with the higher wattage bulbs from the readily available local bulb store. (Not the good stuff online). I have taken pictures of a repair procedure that took about 30 minutes and cost 5 cents. Literally. I bought a piece of copper wire from Home depot for less than a dollar and used an inch of it. The trick is to pound the wire flat and wedge it under the contact points to create a bridge that makes new contact points. I will add step by step pics.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Savanah, GA
    Posts
    10
    My Cars
    2003 530i 1990 BMW 325is
    Mikeywilz, do you have the pictures of your fix for the rear lights?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    las vegas nevada, sin30
    Posts
    30
    My Cars
    slammed 87' 325e
    Quote Originally Posted by mikeywilz View Post
    I have had this problem with my E36 and my E53. The way the lights are made the bulbs ground on to a plate that completes the circuit. Over time the plate burns a hole where the ground is made. I think the problem might be attributed to using bulbs from the local autoparts store that are 27 watts opposed to the original equipment that is 21 watts. Also, the original bulbs have a nickel base. Not sure if any of this has to do with the destruction of the plate but I know that in both of my Bimmers the bulbs had been replaced with the higher wattage bulbs from the readily available local bulb store. (Not the good stuff online). I have taken pictures of a repair procedure that took about 30 minutes and cost 5 cents. Literally. I bought a piece of copper wire from Home depot for less than a dollar and used an inch of it. The trick is to pound the wire flat and wedge it under the contact points to create a bridge that makes new contact points. I will add step by step pics.

    PLEASE PICS I soidered the crap out of mine. Didn't work atall

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