[Xcountry81]

Okay, so this seems to be a very common issue. I have read several posts on the bimmerfest forum about this occurance, but still do not have my issue completely resolved.

So I purchased an 06 330xi just over a week ago. Really great shape, good price etc. The only issue was that the inner (trunk lid) tail lights did not function at all and upon start up I received (3) warnings on the nav. screen: right back up light malfunction, left back up light malfunction, right brake light malfunction.

So far I have confirmed (by testing/replacing) that all bulbs work. I have confirmed all fuses are good. I have checked the bulb holders for burning, corrosion, etc. (they are both fine). I have pulled back the rubber insulation for the wires that go from the trunk lid to body and found several broken and almost broken wires (including the brown ground). and have soldered back together. I have also performed a battery reset (by removing the negative only, and letting it sit fro about 50 minutes)

After I fixed the wires, my (2) running lights came back and (2) of the warnings disappeared.
I still get a warning for right back up light malfunction, and more importantly my back up lights still do not work.

When I put the car in reverse the rearview mirrors respond.

I took it to a local indy, and he used his snapon diagnostic to look at codes, but was not able to get anything functionality back for me on the reverse lights. He thinks I still have a wire issue.


I have read that maybe my FWM needs to be re-set and it sounds like guys have had success with Indy's who use Autolight diagnostics.

Is there anything I am missing here? What should my next step be?

I am really getting frustrated by this darn thing.

[BashShah]

Hmmmm..... Go to a auto wrecker, pick up complete trunk harness.
Sawp it.
Swap bulb holders also.....

Test voltage on burnt out bulb holder. Should be 12 vdc.
Just curious have you swapped now working bulb with non working bulb, see if problem follows?

DN

[Xcountry81]

Thanks for the reply Dark.

The bulb holders actually look brand new (I think the dealer I got it from tried swapping these to fix the problem) and I have played the musical bulbs game and wound up buying all new bulbs, just to play it sake. I have confirmed that both the running lights and the adaptive brake lights work, so I am kind of ruling out the bulb holders (also have checked them for corrosion and made sure tabs are touching bulbs).

Currently I am waiting on an appointment next Monday to take it to a really well known shop about 30 minutes away to try some coding fixes. I have read a few posts on this forum suggesting that fixing the wires was only step one and telling the FRM that it is okay to send current back to the system was the fix. (rumor is that if the problem exists for so long the FRM will close the circuit).

Most the local shops in my area don't get into bimmers and could not even pull up the code CCid 115 with their diagnostics. I am not going to take it to the dealer, because I have heard to many horror stories that they will tell me I just need to replace FRM all together.

Hopefully the coding will fix, if not then I will be looking into the harness as you suggested.

I am new to bimmers, so please feel free to share any info at all. I am grateful for all the insight I can get regarding this/

[Xcountry81]

Update.

So yes, that is the fix. soldering the broken wires is only step one. I wound up bringing her to a shop about 40 miles west that had the diagnostics tool that could talk with the FRM and reset the reverse lights.

I had read about the "50 starts" rule with these kids of electrical short issues, where the FRM will just completely cut off the circuit permanently if the issue is not resolved in the first 50 starts after detected. Being as I purchased the car with the light on (who knows how many starts). Obviously I have proved that is a real characteristic.

Hope this posting can offer help to anyone else who experiences this problem.