Brake Lights (!)

[jw 325ic]

Yep, the one millionth post on this.

Alright...so i've replaced the brake light switch even though it worked perfectly before, replaced all the bulbs with bulbs from BMW, and scuffed up the contacts of all the brake lights and crimp connectors. What else could it be? I'm ready to take the electric tape off of my check panel...

[jw 325ic]

Nothing? I was only able to clean the spade connectors for the trunk brake light...should i replace the crimp connectors for better contact? I cant think of anything else.

[FLG]

Did you do what Luke mentions in this thread?

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=90123

Theres also a brake check relay which could cause issues.

[jw 325ic]

Man ive checked around for years on threads hah. Ive seen that before and look all in my trunk area for that relay and found nothing. Ive probably got three or so threads on here regarding the brake light check light error. If the verts have the relay id love it if someone put a pic up of the location. Honestly ive never seen one in my car.

I will try the CRC method though next weekend.

[FLG]

This should help with location

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e30/brakes/e30_brake_light_check.html

[jw 325ic]

Awesome. I'll have to do this when i replace all the window seals i guess. I did the top cover handle and the drivers seat belt and pulled the panel with that and its no fun in the Texas summer. Thanks man, that helped! I may still replace those crimp connectors regardless.

[StereoInstaller1]

Just in case anyone missed this, on your roofless E30, the brake check relay is under the left side panel, INSIDE the car, next to the seat.

Clean that thing good, generally fixes all of those stupid issues.

GL!
Luke

[jw 325ic]

Just a good cleaning? Cuz i looked it up on that link and realoem and $125 is a lot to replace the electric tape on my check panel lol. Though i just spent that on an oil level sensor...

[Sean S.]

I had the same problem on my 88 vert. Take the 3rd brake light housing off of the car, this is done by removing 4 screws from the trunk side, once off, you will see a power wire and two ground wires that run to what looks like a small circuit board with a resistor attached. cut the wires and remove the circuit board. Use two barrel connectors to crimp both the ground wires coming from the board you just removed and the ground to the taillamp housing itself back together, should look like a Y of ground wires. Then use another barrel connector to reconnect power to power.

Your brake light check light will be out now yet the function will still be there, if you want to test it, take the 3rd brake bulb out and hit the brakes, check brakes will now be back on, replace bulb, cycle key, light will again be out.

Before you reinstall the housing, go to Home Depot or local hardware store and get what looks like a small tub of "Plumber's Putty" it'll be in the plumbing dept or close to the faucets. It is used under the faucets on sinks for keeping water from seeping under the faucet and causing a mess under the sink. It looks and acts like silly putty and never hardens. Take and roll a string out by putting a little in your hands and rubbing them together like trying to start a fire with a stick. Put the bead all the way around the housing outline between the trunk lid and the housing underneath the big rubber gasket/mat thing that the taillight housing rests on. Reinstall the housing. If any of the putty smashes out, just pick it off.

Now you've solved two problems, one the brake check light, and two, any water that leaks into the trunk from the 3rd brake light housing where the wires go through the trunk lid to the trunk. ( All verts leak here, check your tool kit the next time you wash your car or leave it out in the rain if you don't believe me. )

Final step is to place that circuit board on the ground and back over it as you leave for an enjoyable drive without the brake check light burning in your right eye.

[jw 325ic]

Sounds legit but home depot fixes are usually my last resort. If i can get it working the way the engineers designed then i will be much happier. I'll keep this in mind though!

[Sean S.]

Well, then just replace the entire 3rd brake light assembly. $150.00 vs about $3.50, but it's your money.

Bavauto has a nice pic of the entire housing, the circuit board that is causing your problem is on the upper left of the pic.