Tail light/ brake light failure

[tdwilmore]

Has anyone experienced a lingering problem with brake/tail lights continuing to fail on a 95' 325i? I have had this problem for years. I recently spent $700 for new assemblies and have consistently had to have bulbs changed with no luck solving the problem. I'm not sure I can take it much longer! Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[nighthawk328i]

I am curious as well as this happens to me too.

[21moore]

I have the same problem with tail light failure every time i turn on the lights replaced all the lights and still says same dang thing.I been told of a small board under the dash that goes bad but i have not looked for it. Sometimes I get the brake light circuit failure then it goes away after a couple of hours I think my car is haunted but thats the only thing I have wrong lucky i guess for a 14 year old car with 132k on the clock.

[305bimmer]

well the break light circuit is a little switch under the dash thats like 20 dollars from dealer and like 15 min of work...

[tdwilmore]

Do you think this switch could possibly be causing all this chaos?

[Stealthyfish]

hmm... anyone know? I'm having this problem too. I got lucky and managed to get a pair of tail lights for 50 dollars and I'm still having this error come up. I always have to tell my passengers that I have tail lights that work, haha.

[nighthawk328i]

Yeah same here, my passengers always question that, but i am just getting the tail light failure and brake light fail message, not the brake light circuit message. Any ideas?

[tdwilmore]

Mine seems to always start with tail light/brake light failure and gradually progresses to brake light circuit failure. I've had several BMW specialists in Houston address the problem and nothing works longer than a month. Is the electrical system so damn complicated that NO ONE can figure out this defect? Doesn't make any sense...

[meandjo]

mine came on after putting an aftermarket clear lights,changed the bulb,nahh,clean the points of contact,nahh,,I reinstall the OEM amber,but this clear euro damn just looks too good for the car...

[Stevie328is]

Same problem here. "Brake light circuit failure" on my computer. Everything works fine though. I only have the problem about 5% of the time (intermittent). Is there a solution ?

[Jon23]

iam having the tail light failure on my obc, but strangley its corect my rear light are not working but only on the left hand side the indicator works fine and brake light just the main rear light dosent, have changed the bulbs and fuses has any one a idea

[CrazyCoder]

Same problem here. "Brake light circuit failure" on my computer. Everything works fine though. I only have the problem about 5% of the time (intermittent). Is there a solution ?

Replace the brake light switch on the pedal, $20.

[AzanLovesBMW]

First I got "brake light failure", then I got "brake light circuit failure", then "tail lights failure".
Whatever I guess i'll just try to replace that switch under the dash?

[WV Jim]

These are two different things.

"Brake Circuit Failure" is almost certainly the switch on your brake pedal. I need to change mine as well, 'cause I'm tired of the damned thing reminding me once a week.

"Brake Light Failure" means one or more of your brake lights isn't working. If you get this error, do what I did ... go to your local auto parts place, back up in front of the double glass doors, hit your brakes and look in your rear view mirror. You'll be able to see which bulb is out, walk into the place and buy that bulb.

If I got those backwards I'm sure someone will correct me.

[EuroStyleBMW]

1. It could be your Brake Light Switch (not likely)
2. The most common thing with these E36 lights is oxidation on the contacts.

I had this problem constantly when I bought mine and thought it was a brake light switch but decided to try something first without spending money on the new switch. Took the taillights out and cleaned/scraped the copper rings on the assemblies. Then did the same on the little pegs on the bulb sockets and bent them slightly forward to have better contact with the copper rings of the assemblies when installed. Then to finish off a little contact grease and done. Had the car for 2 years now and the problem never reappeared and I didn't even change the brake light switch.

[RomasBurg328iCA]

Man, I just read this... is there a DIY on the brake switch (on the pedal right?)... I checked my fuses... nope all good there... the "tail lights" work fine, but the "brake lights" dont... so I'm guessing there's no oxidation or anything like that... So, am I right (for my specific situation) that it is probably the brake switch?

[RomasBurg328iCA]

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...FILTER_TOOL=ON

so... I'm looking at the white-sleeve 4-pin and the red-sleeve 4-pin... the only difference I see between them is the "brand"... is there another difference? why are they different colors?

[ace2666]

It's the way our taillights where designed. Instead of plugs like everyone else, we have these bulb inserts, and the contact between them could be better. They might lose the contact under heavy braking, so just clean them up and correct the problem.

I have the same problem except that one of the contact tabs (on the assembly) broke and I'm shopping for some new taillights.

[Trackie]

iam having the tail light failure on my obc, but strangley its corect my rear light are not working but only on the left hand side the indicator works fine and brake light just the main rear light dosent, have changed the bulbs and fuses has any one a idea

Dealing with the same issue. Only on left hand side. Changed brake light switch and even bought a whole new tail light assembly on that side but it's still not working.

[Yuriflying]

I just put on new tail lights(euro clear), but still having the same problem with brake light circuit display on my OBC ...my mechanic is always right about issues with my e36 and thought by replacing tail lights would fix the problem, but he was wrong. I guess I will have to live with it since the lights look great and work just fine....

[707bmw]

I have the same problem with my aftermarket tail lights. I found the problem to be with the way the bulb and socket screw into the housing. If it's not sitting in the right position, there's not enough good contact and the bulb goes out. I figured this out after attempting to replace a bulb. So what I've done after getting frustrated with constantly getting out to move the bulb is have someone sit in the car and push the light so I can adjust it to the sweet spot. Then I used electrical tape around the base to hold it in this same spot. It's ghetto but until I can find another fix it works.

[Phillips0417]

To all of those with "Tail Light Failure," whichever side is out, check that same side in the front. If the front is out too, it's either a fuse 46 or 47, i think... or it's the headlight switch. I had this when I first got my car and went crazy trying to find it. I used a jumper wire from the good side over to the side that didn't work, and all worked well, checked the trunk wire loom and completely disassembled my tail light assemblies. Everything was perfect. All is was was the damn headlight switch itself, I ordered a new one, and voila, it works! I took the old switch apart and sure enough, it was burnt up inside only on one side, had to be the side that was out...

[droedel]

I am experiencing the same: right lights out, no instrument cluster--- fuses are all good

good call on the switch,, i will look into that now as these are all controlled by the switch

[Brobb]

Tonight, all of my brake lights went out. what could the problem be. earlier this week my gas and temp gauges failed, and the the LED's in the OBC and dash are much brighter. I am getting both a taillight failure and brake light failure. any ideas?

[freeagnt54]

Tonight, all of my brake lights went out. what could the problem be. earlier this week my gas and temp gauges failed, and the the LED's in the OBC and dash are much brighter. I am getting both a taillight failure and brake light failure. any ideas?

check your trunk wiring, look it up its a very common problem.