BMW E46 lights not working

[giesta98]

This morning when I started to drive I noticed my blinkers are not working. The headlights stay on but if I switch them on or off they do nothing nor do the high beams work. The fog lights and hazards do not work as well. Basically none of the lights seem to work. Could it be a fuse? I have a 2003 E46 325i. Please help!

[Georgi74]

Did you check your fuses???

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[giesta98]

Did you check your fuses???

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Hi, before I went into work I quickly checked fuses#9 and #32 which are labeled light module but they looked fine. I’ll buy some more later today but not sure what other fuses to check.

[MarcoZandrini]

Are you having any other electrical or electronic issues? How old is the battery? Google “BMW E46 hidden OBC functions.” Test #9 shows the voltages as seen by the engine computer (DME). Report back the voltages when the:
- ignition is in the run position with the engine off
- engine idling
- engine revving at 2000rpm.

[Georgi74]

Check them all you never know, just do it one at a time, do not mix them up a lot of people mess up like that

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[giesta98]

Are you having any other electrical or electronic issues? How old is the battery? Google “BMW E46 hidden OBC functions.” Test #9 shows the voltages as seen by the engine computer (DME). Report back the voltages when the:
- ignition is in the run position with the engine off
- engine idling
- engine revving at 2000rpm.

Hi, everything else seems to be working fine. The radio, windows, power door locks, AC, cigarette lighter all work great. When I click the indicator in it still changes from temperature to clock to mileage etc. I’ll check on the voltages in a bit but I’m pretty sure my battery is in good condition. Hope it’s a fuse but not sure which one.

[giesta98]

Are you having any other electrical or electronic issues? How old is the battery? Google “BMW E46 hidden OBC functions.” Test #9 shows the voltages as seen by the engine computer (DME). Report back the voltages when the:
- ignition is in the run position with the engine off
- engine idling
- engine revving at 2000rpm.

When the ignition is in the run position with engine off: 12.5
idling: 14.0
2000 rpm 14.1

[MarcoZandrini]

The 12.4VDC reading is low. The others are ok though I’d expect them to be a few tenths of a volt higher. How old is the battery?

[giesta98]

The 12.4VDC reading is low. The others are ok though I’d expect them to be a few tenths of a volt higher. How old is the battery?

Not exactly sure how old it is. I spoke with a repair place on the phone they said I should try to replace the hazard light/door lock button that commonly goes bad on the e46. Could that be the issue ?

[MauiM3Mania]

Moved from General BMW sub-forum to E46 sub.

[MarcoZandrini]

Yeah, the lock/hazard switch has a habit of coming apart. Usually, you can remove it and snap it back together. Mine fell apart, so I used gorilla glue on it!

[giesta98]

Update: today I installed the new hazard light/door lock switch and still the hazard lights (and all of the other lights and indicator) did not work. After looking up some potential causes my next target was the LCM (light control module). I took it out and blew on it a few times just for the heck of it to get some dust off and plugged it back in and everything works!! Gotta love dealing with a 15 year old car. Glad I can finally use my indicators after the past few stressful days of driving without them.