"check tail lights" issue

Smeeagain · Post by **Smeeagain** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 7:06 pm

On my 2004 E53 X5 D Sport I'm getting an error on the dash saying "check tail light" - it came on after going through car wash (its happened before but went away) - this time it hasn't gone away - the thing is though that the tail lights are fine

Can anyone tell me where the problematic sensor is located please?

Thanks

Smee

storminmike · Post by **storminmike** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 7:17 pm

[quote=""smeeagain""]On my 2004 E53 X5 D Sport I'm getting an error on the dash saying "check tail light" - it came on after going through car wash (its happened before but went away) - this time it hasn't gone away - the thing is though that the tail lights are fine

Can anyone tell me where the problematic sensor is located please?

Thanks

Smee[/quote]

If you wiggle the bulb holder (even though you see it working) does the error go away? It's well known that poor contacts on the bulb holder to the big circuit board on the back of the lights due to burning/etching throw up errors.

Don't forget that the bulb with a single filament (well in mine) does 2 jobs...1 as side light and then brighter as brake light

stupid idea IMO as twin filaments worked ok on other cars

Smeeagain · Post by **Smeeagain** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 7:53 pm

ok thanks - yes both tail and brake lights are operational but will have a look at bulb holder when I have some daylight

Cheers

Smee

sapphireblack · Post by **sapphireblack** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 9:14 pm

Checked the high level lamp? It's often overlooked but flags the same message

pvr · Post by **pvr** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 9:15 pm

No, that gives the "check brake lights" message ...

bonerp · Post by **bonerp** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 8:16 am

I had that 2 days ago - damn electrics. You'd have thought a error I used to get on a sierra 20 years ago would have been resolved by the time the X5 was manufactured!

X5eireann · Post by **X5eireann** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 4:13 pm

That's a regular problem with the X5 tail lights. You need to remove the cluster and check the metal plate which connects to the bulb. Mine had a hole which created bad connection, I used my soldering iron to build up/fill the hole and then sanded the plate until it was smooth. It's working 100% and saved me a nice few quid.

pvr · Post by **pvr** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 4:51 pm

Interesting enough I got the "check brake" lights at the weekend, but they were all working and when I pressed the brake, the message disappeared and did not come back.

kkodal78 · Post by **kkodal78** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 7:07 pm

i had that warning a dew weeks ago and mine turned out to be melted filament in the bulb. it gad broken off but somehow melted back on but it was tempermental. one minute it would give me an error and it would go away than it would be ok for a little bit. it would be beneficial to check and see if there is any melting on the filament

pvw10 · Post by **pvw10** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 10:18 am

[quote=""X5eireann""]That's a regular problem with the X5 tail lights. You need to remove the cluster and check the metal plate which connects to the bulb. Mine had a hole which created bad connection, I used my soldering iron to build up/fill the hole and then sanded the plate until it was smooth. It's working 100% and saved me a nice few quid.[/quote]

My Son works on the service desk at an OEM and they admit its a huge problem but most are the bulb holders,the light assy goes also but usually a buff up sorts that unles you get as above.

They supply about 3/6 bulb holders a month !!!

cognac · Post by **cognac** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 10:48 am

Had a new drivers side rear light cluster fitted a few months ago the metal plate had melted.

Common fault on the E53 my indy tells me!!!!

Smeeagain · Post by **Smeeagain** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 10:04 pm

Further to my original post, the 'outer' brake/tail lights are working, despite the error warning, but the 'inner' light assembly ie on the drop down tailgate isn't working on either side - for both sides to go out suggests something other than any of the bulbs or either bulb assembly - unless of course they both happened to go at the same time .....

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