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Brake Light warning

Discuss the problems with your X5 (E53).
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pvw10
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Brake Light warning

Post by pvw10 » Sat Apr 30, 2011 5:21 pm

Hi all,
getting the warning chimes going off stating check brake lights then check tail lights. Checked the rear and just one brake light out, checked both bulbs on the non working side and there fine, replaced anyway and no joy. So both brake and brake/side are fine yet wont light, any thoughts ?
Many thanks
Paul
3.0d Sport. Xenons,Tv/sat,Blinds,DVD Headrests,sidesteps,mudflaps,DSP,Walnut trim,softer leather,heated seats,remap,automatic,Oval exhaust upgrade, death ray and rockets.
Previous car; E46 M3 Convertible SMG.

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Sanj
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Re: Brake Light warning

Post by Sanj » Sat Apr 30, 2011 8:31 pm

It's the holder itself. The contact is oxidised most likely. Common fault. Get the whole lot out and give it a thorough clean, look for burn't or oxidised bits and then clean those up.
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pvw10
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Re: Brake Light warning

Post by pvw10 » Sun May 01, 2011 7:23 am

Cheers fella, sort of has to be a bad contact i guess.
Thanks
Paul
3.0d Sport. Xenons,Tv/sat,Blinds,DVD Headrests,sidesteps,mudflaps,DSP,Walnut trim,softer leather,heated seats,remap,automatic,Oval exhaust upgrade, death ray and rockets.
Previous car; E46 M3 Convertible SMG.

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stevox5
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Brake Light warning

Post by stevox5 » Sun May 01, 2011 9:19 am

If you find the contacts on the lamp cluster are burned where the bulb holder contacts meet the cluster you can clean it up with the bulb holder out and flow some solder over the damage then clean the bulb holder contacts with some light sand paper , will work a treat.
Good luck.
X5 3.0i Topaz Blue , Paddle shift steering wheel , Pioneer double din sat nav,Alpine speaker upgrade,  Remap, HID's,20inch lemans alloys,lemans arch kit,Depo light kit,carbon fiber interior wrap.
1989 BMW 325i SPORT E30 Fully equiped summer toy.

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pvw10
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Re: Brake Light warning

Post by pvw10 » Sun May 01, 2011 7:42 pm

Cheers for that, as you have already done it is it best to remove the cluster and how easy is that ?
3.0d Sport. Xenons,Tv/sat,Blinds,DVD Headrests,sidesteps,mudflaps,DSP,Walnut trim,softer leather,heated seats,remap,automatic,Oval exhaust upgrade, death ray and rockets.
Previous car; E46 M3 Convertible SMG.

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pvw10
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Re: Brake Light warning

Post by pvw10 » Tue May 03, 2011 6:58 pm

Hi again all, removed rear cluster and all is clean dry and tidy, no sign of oxidisation.

Anybody have a Plan B ?

Thanks
Paul
3.0d Sport. Xenons,Tv/sat,Blinds,DVD Headrests,sidesteps,mudflaps,DSP,Walnut trim,softer leather,heated seats,remap,automatic,Oval exhaust upgrade, death ray and rockets.
Previous car; E46 M3 Convertible SMG.

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stevox5
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Brake Light warning

Post by stevox5 » Tue May 03, 2011 9:26 pm

You need to get a circuit tester and check the feed at the block connector onto the lamp
Cluster to verify it's getting s signal mate. If you are which I suspect you will check it at the contact area on the cluster which feeds the bulb. This should narrow down what's going on , or failing that you could substitute the known good bulb and holder from the other side that works to rule that out.
X5 3.0i Topaz Blue , Paddle shift steering wheel , Pioneer double din sat nav,Alpine speaker upgrade,  Remap, HID's,20inch lemans alloys,lemans arch kit,Depo light kit,carbon fiber interior wrap.
1989 BMW 325i SPORT E30 Fully equiped summer toy.

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pvw10
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Re: Brake Light warning

Post by pvw10 » Wed May 04, 2011 7:09 pm

Top man, will try that.
Thanks
Paul
3.0d Sport. Xenons,Tv/sat,Blinds,DVD Headrests,sidesteps,mudflaps,DSP,Walnut trim,softer leather,heated seats,remap,automatic,Oval exhaust upgrade, death ray and rockets.
Previous car; E46 M3 Convertible SMG.

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pvw10
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Re: Brake Light warning

Post by pvw10 » Sat May 07, 2011 4:33 pm

Sorted, thanks for your help.
What i found was where no brake light showing it was a bad contact yet when i checked the other side to swap some bulbs around the second lower brake light (the ones that only light under heavy braking) was blown !
So i was seeing only one brake light (bad contact) yet the car was noting the blown bulb on the other side, damn clever these 5's :dizzy:
3.0d Sport. Xenons,Tv/sat,Blinds,DVD Headrests,sidesteps,mudflaps,DSP,Walnut trim,softer leather,heated seats,remap,automatic,Oval exhaust upgrade, death ray and rockets.
Previous car; E46 M3 Convertible SMG.

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