When do these bulbs turn on!?

bmw_racer · 05-01-2008, 02:58 PM

Ok, my car said I have an exterior light out... flashers, fogs, headlights tail lights reverse lights brake lights all seem to work then I noticed something... these two bulbs circled in yellow NEVER turned on... I think it would be a strange coincidence for both to stop working at the exact same time... when are these supposed to turn on? When I push the brakes?

Please let me know! thanks!

dhan · 05-01-2008, 03:22 PM

aren't those the rear fogs aka emergency braking lights?

Bimmer330i · 05-01-2008, 03:24 PM

Did you check the lights over your rear license plate? My last Bimmer had that problem often. Take a look there.

bmw_racer · 05-01-2008, 03:33 PM

Dhan - I was wondering that... those only come on when you decellerate repidly right? What other bulb could be out then..?

Bimmer I checked they are both on... what else could it be... hum... I dont really wanna go to the dealer for it but that yellow triangle is annoying!

AJerman · 05-01-2008, 03:45 PM

Slam on the brakes really hard and you'll see.

bmw_racer · 05-01-2008, 03:49 PM

haha, i guess i will ask my friend to drive behind me after work and try that out. what else could it be though? I checked every exterior bulb! the side markers, fog lights brake lights reverse lights plate lights head lights parking lights... oh... I didn't check the little bulbs that turn on when i crank the wheel all the way to the left or right... could it be that?

Bimmer330i · 05-01-2008, 03:53 PM

If you have the tail lights that I have, they supposedly are brighter the harder you brake, to let folks behind you know that you are slowing down rapidly. Perhaps those are it... but like you said, I guess the only way to figure that out is to have a buddy tail you and watch you brake.

The only other thing I can suggest is to pull both of those bulbs. If either has really "blown" then you will be able to tell by looking at them. Usually, they look darker than normal, or sometimes you can even see the wires broken on the interior of the bulb. Good luck.

tintivilus · 05-01-2008, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhan

aren't those the rear fogs aka emergency braking lights?

Actually, they're rear fogs and emergency brake lights. Malfunction is a known coupe issue

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90886

There's the full text of an SIB kicking around somewhere, too.

bmw_racer · 05-01-2008, 07:16 PM

thanks! any advice on popping the cover off on the trunk lid on the coupe to get to those bulbs? I think i will try stretching the spring a little as someone else did here

TiAg335i · 05-01-2008, 09:34 PM

I've had this problem for a long time, but got it fixed a month or so back. It had to do something with the sunroof...that's all i can recall.

bmw_racer · 05-02-2008, 11:37 AM

sunroof!? everyone is saying something different. I guess only the dealership can say for sure.

05-01-2008, 02:58 PM	#1
bmw_racer Private 0 Rep 88 Posts Drives: 2007 328i coupe Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: so cal iTrader: (0)	When do these bulbs turn on!? Ok, my car said I have an exterior light out... flashers, fogs, headlights tail lights reverse lights brake lights all seem to work then I noticed something... these two bulbs circled in yellow NEVER turned on... I think it would be a strange coincidence for both to stop working at the exact same time... when are these supposed to turn on? When I push the brakes? Please let me know! thanks!
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05-01-2008, 03:22 PM	#2
dhan Lieutenant 20 Rep 558 Posts Drives: '11 TiAg E92 335i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	aren't those the rear fogs aka emergency braking lights?
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05-01-2008, 03:24 PM	#3
Bimmer330i Private First Class 1 Rep 126 Posts Drives: 2006 e90 330i N52 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Saratoga, NY iTrader: (0)	Did you check the lights over your rear license plate? My last Bimmer had that problem often. Take a look there. __________________ 1992 325is Red Coupe, Sold with 270,000 Miles. 1996 Honda VFR 750cc, Red and Black, 12,000 Miles. 2001 525iT Custom-Built Touring Wagon, Electric Red, Sold with 115,000 miles. 2006 330i Sparkling Graphite, Sport/Premium, Nav., 6 spd., L7, Active Steering, etc.
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05-01-2008, 03:33 PM	#4
bmw_racer Private 0 Rep 88 Posts Drives: 2007 328i coupe Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: so cal iTrader: (0)	Dhan - I was wondering that... those only come on when you decellerate repidly right? What other bulb could be out then..? Bimmer I checked they are both on... what else could it be... hum... I dont really wanna go to the dealer for it but that yellow triangle is annoying!
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05-01-2008, 03:45 PM	#5
AJerman Major 32 Rep 1,381 Posts Drives: '08 335i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Wake Forest, NC iTrader: (0)	Slam on the brakes really hard and you'll see. __________________ 2008 BMW 335i: Jet Black, Jade Gray, Gray Poplar, 6MT - Stock... for now.
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05-01-2008, 03:49 PM	#6
bmw_racer Private 0 Rep 88 Posts Drives: 2007 328i coupe Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: so cal iTrader: (0)	haha, i guess i will ask my friend to drive behind me after work and try that out. what else could it be though? I checked every exterior bulb! the side markers, fog lights brake lights reverse lights plate lights head lights parking lights... oh... I didn't check the little bulbs that turn on when i crank the wheel all the way to the left or right... could it be that?
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05-01-2008, 03:53 PM	#7
Bimmer330i Private First Class 1 Rep 126 Posts Drives: 2006 e90 330i N52 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Saratoga, NY iTrader: (0)	If you have the tail lights that I have, they supposedly are brighter the harder you brake, to let folks behind you know that you are slowing down rapidly. Perhaps those are it... but like you said, I guess the only way to figure that out is to have a buddy tail you and watch you brake. The only other thing I can suggest is to pull both of those bulbs. If either has really "blown" then you will be able to tell by looking at them. Usually, they look darker than normal, or sometimes you can even see the wires broken on the interior of the bulb. Good luck. __________________ 1992 325is Red Coupe, Sold with 270,000 Miles. 1996 Honda VFR 750cc, Red and Black, 12,000 Miles. 2001 525iT Custom-Built Touring Wagon, Electric Red, Sold with 115,000 miles. 2006 330i Sparkling Graphite, Sport/Premium, Nav., 6 spd., L7, Active Steering, etc.
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05-01-2008, 07:16 PM	#9
bmw_racer Private 0 Rep 88 Posts Drives: 2007 328i coupe Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: so cal iTrader: (0)	thanks! any advice on popping the cover off on the trunk lid on the coupe to get to those bulbs? I think i will try stretching the spring a little as someone else did here
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05-01-2008, 09:34 PM	#10
TiAg335i Trance Life 333 Rep 4,706 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (4)	I've had this problem for a long time, but got it fixed a month or so back. It had to do something with the sunroof...that's all i can recall.
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05-02-2008, 11:37 AM	#11
bmw_racer Private 0 Rep 88 Posts Drives: 2007 328i coupe Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: so cal iTrader: (0)	sunroof!? everyone is saying something different. I guess only the dealership can say for sure.
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