Tail Light Issue. Bad Connector or Bad Light?

TireFire · 04-04-2023, 09:56 AM

2014 F30 335i

I've been getting the right rear brake light failure message on the dash for a few days so i bought a new bulb to swap out. Turns out it isn't the bulb but the connection where the wiring plugs into the tail light assembly.

Has anyone had this issue and was it the lamp or the wiring side? It looks alot easier to replace the lamp or even just the piece that goes into the lamp housing if they sell that part separate. If on the wiring side it might require a new connector/re crimping and all that if not replace a section of the wiring. Thanks.

Billfitz · 04-04-2023, 11:13 AM

Thousands of owners have had this issue. Do a search. You'll even find a few youtube videos about it.

Sam! · 04-04-2023, 11:14 AM

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1405916

Most likely your ground wire melting. Been an issue with BMWs since the e4x days.

TireFire · 04-07-2023, 08:20 AM

Found a bunch of videos and the fix for it thanks. Ordered a kit to fix the connector and replace the bulb housing.

Thanks for the tips.

Billfitz · 04-07-2023, 08:46 AM

Prevention being the best cure swap out the high current draw incandescent bulbs for LED, which have very low current draw. They're also brighter and react faster. They must be coded, Bimmercode is the easiest way to do it, which IMO everyone should have anyway.

04-04-2023, 09:56 AM	#1
TireFire Private First Class 14 Rep 138 Posts Drives: 2014 335i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Cincinnati iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 335i (sold) [0.00] 1996 328i (sold) [0.00] 2014 335i [0.00] 2001 540iT [0.00]	Tail Light Issue. Bad Connector or Bad Light? 2014 F30 335i I've been getting the right rear brake light failure message on the dash for a few days so i bought a new bulb to swap out. Turns out it isn't the bulb but the connection where the wiring plugs into the tail light assembly. Has anyone had this issue and was it the lamp or the wiring side? It looks alot easier to replace the lamp or even just the piece that goes into the lamp housing if they sell that part separate. If on the wiring side it might require a new connector/re crimping and all that if not replace a section of the wiring. Thanks. __________________ Fast Car = Slow Motorcycle
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

04-04-2023, 11:13 AM	#2
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8283 Rep 16,152 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Thousands of owners have had this issue. Do a search. You'll even find a few youtube videos about it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-04-2023, 11:14 AM	#3
Sam! Private First Class 222 Rep 172 Posts Drives: 2014 328xi Touring Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1405916 Most likely your ground wire melting. Been an issue with BMWs since the e4x days.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-07-2023, 08:20 AM	#4
TireFire Private First Class 14 Rep 138 Posts Drives: 2014 335i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Cincinnati iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 335i (sold) [0.00] 1996 328i (sold) [0.00] 2014 335i [0.00] 2001 540iT [0.00]	Found a bunch of videos and the fix for it thanks. Ordered a kit to fix the connector and replace the bulb housing. Thanks for the tips. __________________ Fast Car = Slow Motorcycle
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-07-2023, 08:46 AM	#5
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8283 Rep 16,152 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Prevention being the best cure swap out the high current draw incandescent bulbs for LED, which have very low current draw. They're also brighter and react faster. They must be coded, Bimmercode is the easiest way to do it, which IMO everyone should have anyway.
	Appreciate 0 Quote