[BM2006i]

Hi guys.

I have posted here last month about my tail light failure
I have a 2006 e90 SEDAN.
CCID code error 117, 123(left and right tail )
why is there no codes for REVERSE LIGHT FAILURE?

**ALL MY signal lights and Brake lights(front and rear) on the panal work fine***

What is not working? The BOTH reverse, and the tail light on the LEFT trunk. The tail light on the Right Trunk works fine.

What I have done so far::
1. I have put in new LL bulbs ---> still don't work
2. I have swapped the left and right bulb carriers on the trunk---> don't work
3. I have checked the connectors on both side ----->nothing burnt, the connectors look new

Where is the problem? Is it the fuse? is it the wires? Is there a DIY with Pictures on 2006 e90 sedan TRUNK Light?

thanks

[BM2006i]

anyone know? thanks

[TheTal0n]

You could check the fuse, and switch the bulbs around?

[shata]

You should do voltage check on the bulb connectors when the signal should be working to see if you have voltage to the bulb. If you dont then you know you got problem in wiring.

[shata]

Find the fuse first though like mentioned and look at that.

[rich.com]

I'm haing the same probs, changed out my bulbs, swapped dem around, sometimes its on then its off again...Checklight keeps comming on>>

[QC335]

Just replace the little 50 cent bulb. Worked for me.

[bhmax16]

The bulbs may be loose in the holders. BMW updated the design on newer models and there is a TSB on the issue (though it is usually caused by the rear fog bulbs). Happened on my '07 328xi once and I simply pulled the bulb out, used an angled pick to bend the retainer to grasp the bulb a bit more tightly, and have not had an issue since

[phipark]

Most likely the bulb holder. It's about a $20 part.

[scoobydoo]

I had a similar issue. Replaced the bulb holder. Solved.

[BM2006i]

i don't really think it's the bulb holders.
I swapped the bulb holders and the RIGHT TRUNK tail light work with both. BUT when I connected them to the left side, trunk tail light does not work in both.
also as i said, both Reverse light are out too.

anyone have anymore more ideas?

[BM2006i]

any1 else who knows a DIY or anything about this?

thanks

[StyleBimma]

I just got the same issue yesterday...
Tried swapping bulbs, bulb holders, flashed briefly then died again.
Both reverse lights are out as well... (it's getting really annoying)

So, I will try to get a new rear fog bulb tomorrow. Hope this is the solution to the problem.
If that fails, will check the fuse box and a new wiring harness...
Will keep everyone posted.

[StyleBimma]

Originally Posted by BM2006i

Hi guys.

I have posted here last month about my tail light failure
I have a 2006 e90 SEDAN.
CCID code error 117, 123(left and right tail )
why is there no codes for REVERSE LIGHT FAILURE?

**ALL MY signal lights and Brake lights(front and rear) on the panal work fine***

What is not working? The BOTH reverse, and the tail light on the LEFT trunk. The tail light on the Right Trunk works fine.

What I have done so far::
1. I have put in new LL bulbs ---> still don't work
2. I have swapped the left and right bulb carriers on the trunk---> don't work
3. I have checked the connectors on both side ----->nothing burnt, the connectors look new

Where is the problem? Is it the fuse? is it the wires? Is there a DIY with Pictures on 2006 e90 sedan TRUNK Light?

thanks

I can finally sleep now!

Ok, so I took the car into the dealer, tried out brand new bulbs, no progress. So I told them my situation and immediately I was advised to check the wiring that's linking from the trunk lid to the car.

See pics....

I ended up having to solder the broken wires together.
The whole project took about 15 - 20 minutes.

Step 1:
Open trunk and pull out both ends of rubber wire protector.

Step 2:
Peel back the rubber wire protector to inspect all wires.
If you don't notice anything broken, be sure to pull further down.

Step 3:
Locate broken or damaged wires and connect them together.
I would recommend doing each wire individually.
So...
- Find broken wire.
- Join together
- Solder
- Tape up with electrical tape
- Repeat the same steps for any additional broken wires

Step 4:
Once all the wires have been repaired and individually taped up, tape up the whole group together.

Step 5:
Peel back the rubber wire protective sleeve over the wires and push back the sleeves into the body and trunk lid.

Done!

Hope this helps anyone with the same issue.

[jrbmw]

After hours of searching and fixes that didnt work, this post was dead on!! One of the wires (one of the brown wires) in my trunk wire harness was broken like the picture. In addition to the left light malfunction message on idrive, my trunk light did not work and my trunk would not open (also the trunk open alarm would repeat endlessly when driving). Apparently this little brown wire powers all of these functions. Thanks to this Stylebimma, i was able to re-solder the wires (first time soldering) and now everything works great. This saved me a both time and money at the dealer. Thanks!

A couple of suggestions when performing the above procedure to fix. 1) remove the fuse powering the light and trunk functions. 2) Instead of electrical tape, use heat shrink tubing but be sure to place on prior to soldering.

Another note, because it took me so long to trace the problem I had drained my battery with multiple starts and doors open. It resulted in the steering lock (I have an '07 which still has the lock) thus my car wouldnt start, however a jump start from my friend gave the car enough juice to unlock and start.

I am disappointed that BMW seems to have an issue with wires breaking. I had the same issue with a wire in my steptronic. I think BMW packs the harness too tight.

Again, thanks to the BMW community and passionate posters!

[e90will]

I had this same problem awhile back ago...thanks for posting!

Now I know what to look for if it happens again. My mechanic helped me solder and fixed the wiring last time.

[lostcuaz]

so my lovely stuper tonight n frustration I knock on the housing which worked last time and cracked the housing, shit right haha no problem that will be replaced. I then found this post after the fact and discovered the same issue thanks!

[krader1]

A broken brown wire (ground) was the culprit for my running lights on the trunk lid not working (Left & Right). The above fix is great - it shows it exactly. I used in-line connectors to fix mine. I fished a wire through the wire protector (after spitting on it for lubrication as it is really tight in there) and then simply put a in-line connector on either end.
I still have a problem with both my back-up lights, I checked continuity to the light fixture and it shows there is no break from the protector to the socket switch. I am thinking about replacing the back-up light switch on the transmision if it has one. Anybody have any suggestions?

[scooby9]

Just discovered the same problem for me. My driver's side adaptive brake light error started showing up on my dash. I tried changing the bulb and holder but this did not fix the problem. I tested with a multimeter and found no current going to the adaptive brake light holder. When I pulled back the rubber loom around the trunk harness, I found one wire completely severed and another two on the way to breaking.

I looked at the way the loom folds when the trunk closes and it looks like after a few years of the wires getting folded in that way, they eventually break. Simple soldering fix but with over a dozen other repairs including 3 turbos, it's par for BMW ownership. Great fun to drive but reliability is rather poor due to design and QA issues.

[shata]

Thats very interesting to me to have wire problem on newer car, Bad design =P
I would have bet on bulb holder also not holding it correctly. But like originally said if you would have turned on light and connected multimeter you would have known right away your not getting anything at holder so then you could have read wires...If still nothing you know either other side of line where ever its connected is problem or break in wire like in your case.

Its nice you came back to post pics and little diy of what you did im sure that will help many people. And we appreciate it.

[isosunrise]

Had a similar problem in my c300, dealer replaced the harness on both side, took about 3 hours.

My new (to me) 335 tail light malfunction light popped up the other day, I took a look and the harness was loose. Soldering and tape will keep the wire cluster together. If anything you should try and pick up a repair kit - theres a ton online!

[Blixem]

Thank you StyleBimma for the info you posted.

I recently had the problem with my taillight, Reverse and license plate lights not working. I opened the harness up and found 2 wires had been severed, but about 8 other wise were cracked.

I soldered and fixed the 2 broken wires. I taped up the other wires. Now the taillights and license plate lights work, but the reverse light (left) still does not work.

So some analysis:
All 3 lights originally stopped working at the same time, the problems were related (I presume when the 2 wires broke)
I know the reverse bulb is still ok (confirmed by dealership)
I know the reverse switch is ok, since the right reverse light works
I cannot see any other broken wires.


Further analysis:
When I used to start the car, it used to tell me that the taillight was not working. When I put the car in reverse, then I would get a warning about the reverse light. Now I get a warning about the reverse light as soon as I turn the car on. Does the car check every bulb everytime you turn it on, or is this being stored by a computer somewhere?

Any other thoughts? Fuse maybe? Or a computer error that needs to be cleared?