1999 750il : 2 light messages on center console

[1999750il]

Hi all,

I have been trying to determine of 2 light messages I keep getting pn my 1999 750il. The first message is "check brake lights and the second is check front fog lamps" Oddly all lights work perfectly fine.
Has anyone run into what causes these messages to display even though the bulbs are fine? I believe BMW has had known issues with their LCD or light control nodules but I'm not sure . Also...is there a way to reset these messages?

Thanks for your help
Rick

[TheAngryBear]

This may be due to corrosion on the bulb contact points creating more resistance than expected. Or it may be the use of led or incorrect w lights.
Clean and reseat the bulbs (making sure to check the third brake light) and validate they are the correct bulbs.
If all of that is GTG then there may be other issues (wiring, LCM, etc).


2001 750iL DD74441
Stock

RIP: 2003 540iA Sport GS56111
H&R front springs, Ultimate Cup Holder, Euro Dash & Armrest, Grom, BavSound Stage1

[CPHES]

Check that the bulbs for the brake lights are all the same - I stick with Philips - so If one goes, I know I am replacing with a like bulb - and look at the third brake light bulb too.

[1999750il]

Hi guys..thanks for the replies. I checked the bulbs..also cleaned out all sockets and contact points. Is there a way to delete the message from the center display?

[TheAngryBear]

Hi guys..thanks for the replies. I checked the bulbs..also cleaned out all sockets and contact points. Is there a way to delete the message from the center display?

Not so much delete the message but change the cause. You can code the LCM to not check (cold or hot) the bulbs. Only catch there is that then you can be without a bulb and not know (like a normal car).

One other thought: do you have dual filament (or mono) when you require mono (or dual)? That can throw the checks off.
Any other special work? Euro fogs? Etc? Just want to make sure no conflicts.


2001 750iL DD74441
Stock

RIP: 2003 540iA Sport GS56111
H&R front springs, Ultimate Cup Holder, Euro Dash & Armrest, Grom, BavSound Stage1

[1999750il]

Hi bear..thanks for the reply.
All the bulbs are the correct ones..I did notice that one of the foglights (passenger side) did not come on when I was trying to determine the cause of these 2 messages. The foglight did come on after tapping on it. I took it off the car to inspect further and noticed that both fog lights must have been replaced since they did not have the Hella logo on the rear covers or front glass. I guess the previous owner must have replaced them. The wiring inside the cap of the passenger foglight appeared as if it was soldered for some reason and the may have caused the warning light to come on. I intend to replace both of the front fog lights with after market ones that will still retain the H3 halogen bulbs but have nicer lenses. The Hella brand is too expensive Still cant figure out whats going on with the rear tail light message

[TheAngryBear]

The solder point could be bad giving a higher resistance... and intermittent bulbs may also cause it.
For the brake lights, check your lines. If the light gaskets are bad you may have water ingress. Or if your battery isn’t vented you could have some reaction from the hydrogen gas. The third brake light could also be giving issues as the housing is known to melt... well, on the e39, haven’t seen much of that on the e38, but maybe same instance here?


2001 750iL DD74441
Stock

RIP: 2003 540iA Sport GS56111
H&R front springs, Ultimate Cup Holder, Euro Dash & Armrest, Grom, BavSound Stage1

[chrisn7]

I had this issue with brake lights on my old E38 and on an E53 X5

Remove the rear light assembly, and check the track itself where the brake light bulb makes contact. You might find this burned right through, as I did with the X5; the E38 had a heat distorted bulb holder - either of these will give the dash warning

[1999750il]

Hi Chris and Bear..thanks for the advice....I checked the third brake light and found the plastic holder a bit discolored and the bulb glass brownish so I replaced the 7506 bulb and that fixed the problem...
Thanks again for all your suggestions.