Reverse Lights not working...Fuses OK

[Seedster]

hey guys,
out of the blue my reverse lights stopped working....checked bulbs and fuses (obviously) and still not working. i checked unofficialbmw.com and really didn't find much. if i recall, it's a common problem like the brake circuit failure except that im not getting a message on the OBC. can anyone tell me/link me to what the potential problem could be? any install instructions/tips on the reverse light switch if thats what ends up being wrong? i have no idea where it is.....help! :

[Kevlar]

I'm willing to bet it's the reverse light switch... I know it's located on the tranny, but I don't have my Bently manual handy at the moment, I'll check back here later when I get my manual and type up instructions if needed.

[M3 GT Ben]

the reverse switch is located on the passenger side of the tranny itself.

requires a 17mm wrench to get off. replacement of it requires access to the underside of the car.

good luck.

[Khoalty]

Seed,
Its the reverse light switch for sure. This has happened to me and my dad's car. I can get the part for you if you want, give me a buzz dogg. When we install the short shifter this week, might as well put that switch in for ya also since we have the car lifted up.

khoalty

[pikachu]

seedster!!! my reverse light swtich is also bad! but i don't care cuz they suck anyway and don't help me to backup at night,,,,,,, also, i don't think the reverse lights are checked by the obc,,,,,, are they? i don't have the schematic with me now...

[Khoalty]

Hey Pika,
You reverse lights probably suck but mine are great, I see lots of light when I reverse. I have 35W back up lights, more than enough to see.

[Seedster]

thanks for all your help guys...you guys are badass. khoa, lets pickup that part ASAP so we'll have it for the short shifter install.

and PIKA, trust me, slap some 50W reverse lights (no superwhite shit) in there like I got, and you'll realize how badly you need reverse lights. I have to park right next to a curb in front of my apt and I always get home at night....the last week or so without backup lights has been a gut wrenching experience trying to park without backup lights AND having tint tryin not to curb the rims. anyways.....i'll let you guys know if the switch was the prob.....thanks!

[Kevlar]

Where'd you get the high wattage reverse light bulbs? and how much?

[Khoalty]

Kev,
We got it at AutoZone.
I guess I have 50W too b/c I have the same as Seed. I just forgot how much watt it was so I made it less.
The cost is like 5 bucks or less, it ain't that much. I don't even think it was 5.

[Kevlar]

Originally posted by Khoalty
We got it at AutoZone.

Any idea of the model/part number or should I just pull out one of my reverse lights and take it with me?

[Khoalty]

Just pull it out and check to see if it fits and compare. THere is only two types there, the front blinker type and the rear reverse lights.
Seed knows the number except hommie is at school.

[Black Majik]

Originally posted by Kevlar


Any idea of the model/part number or should I just pull out one of my reverse lights and take it with me?

Kevin, its the same bulb as the rear blinkers... single filament

[Seedster]

yep.....they're 1156 bulbs....50W....come in a red package....they should be next to the backup lights that have the siren/beep thingy built in em.

[Kevlar]

Originally posted by Seedster
yep.....they're 1156 bulbs....50W....come in a red package....they should be next to the backup lights that have the siren/beep thingy built in em.

Is it an AutoZone only product? I went to like 5 different places yesterday and today. The only product I could find are the standard 1156 bulbs and then the long lasting 1156 bulbs... nothing 50W.

The only AutoZone around here in like an hour away! Damn!

[Virol3]

Interesting...I guess the light switches going bad is a common problem. I just got my brake light switch replaced today, after not having any brake lights for about a week. And I have heard from a couple other people that also had light failure in their cars. Btw, I don't recommend driving without brake lights. Duh! I kept thinking that someone would rear-end my car just as I was finally on my way to get the light switch replaced. Good thing it was an easy fix.

Btw, would putting a 50W bulb in your back up light burn out the connection?? Anyone??

The reason I ask if that I found that one of my brake light's bulb metal connection had partially melted. Anyone had this happen using just the stock bulb??

Virol3

[Kevlar]

would putting a 50W bulb in your back up light burn out the connection?? Anyone??

I wouldn't think so... the backup lights aren't on for that long (unless you're doing a marathon in reverse). They wouldn't really have a chance to get hot enough to burn out.

[Khoalty]

Originally posted by Kevlar


I wouldn't think so... the backup lights aren't on for that long (unless you're doing a marathon in reverse). They wouldn't really have a chance to get hot enough to burn out.

Hey bro,
Did you need a set, I live like 5-10 minutes away from one.
Email me up and I could pick u up a set.

Khoa

Khoalty@yahoo.com

[Caymandiver75]

I know this thread is old, but just last night my cars back up lights stopped working and I didn't get any OBC message or anything. How much is a new switch and where can I find one cheapest?

[bennyblanco]

Go to www.bimmerparts.com
It is like $8.

[jesd325is]

the obc doesnt let you know if the reverse light switch is non functional. you'll know when the bulbs are still good but you have no lighting.
i also got min from bimmmerparts. i had the picture of the switch in an old thread , i'll see if i cna find it

[Caymandiver75]

Thanks guys I found it from bimmerparts and ordered it. The price was only 8.05 and shipping is just 1 day. Gosh they are fast.

[medik212]

old thread but still a goody... does indeed require the 17mm wrench and zygmunt will have the part in for me tomorrow... less than 24 hour turnaround is pretty darn solid so props to them

[DiScoTeknix]

old thread but still a goody... does indeed require the 17mm wrench and zygmunt will have the part in for me tomorrow... less than 24 hour turnaround is pretty darn solid so props to them

Word, I ordered a mess of parts from Zygmunt a while ago and everything arrived about 27 hours after I called and placed the order.

Does getting to the switch require removing anything such as the drive shaft or can it be reached easily by hand?

[heifetz17]

In the near future I plan to add a monitoring system for my reverse lights, fog lights, and high beams.

[DJ Genius]

Here is a DIY for reverse swith replacing.
http://www.unitedbimmer.com/kb-e36-r...hts-switch.php