Strange problem

jonmatar · 02:02 PM

Hey guys, I am haveing a rather strange problem on my 95 325i... the on board computer says "brake light circuit" I looked in the owners manual and apparently this goes on when you have a brake light out....but I DONT have a brake light out..anybody else expericne this problem?..thanks!

doityourself · 12-30-2003, 02:14 PM

hey I have same problem. did you check your rear drive lights it could be coming from that. at least that's the only light light that is not working in my car. let me know. good luck

blkongry · 12-30-2003, 02:47 PM

Double check that all four of the brake lights are working.... you know there are four back there, right? Two per side. I had the same thing happen and they all seemed to be lighting up, but two were out, and they looked balanced like they were all on.

jonmatar · 05:21 PM

Yeah I know there are 2 on each side but I dident think that maybe 1 on each side might be burned out...that might explain it..thanks blkongry!

blkongry · 12-30-2003, 06:52 PM

That's what happen to me... I felt like such a tard when I took it to the shop and they showed me that one on each side was burned out.

jonmatar · 12-31-2003, 12:59 PM

Well I checked it out and it turns out that all of the bulbs ARE working properly...so im begining to think that its something in the OBC itself...or possibly a censor of some sort???

kocio67 · 12-31-2003, 03:16 PM

When the bulb is dead usually you got "Brake light failure".
"Brake light circuit" means most likely brake light switch (located next to brake pedal- it was recall on this switch- not sure what years- up to 95?) or OBC itself.
Hope this will help.

Larry F. · 01-01-2004, 05:50 PM

Jon:

Couple of things: first, the brake switch gets flakey and gives you exactly that error message - kocio67 mentioned that. 99% probability. Also, there is only *one* brake light per side on the back of your car, two total. There are four "parking" lights, two per side, but if one of those is out, you get a different message.

In obtaining the right switch, there are two versions that my local dealer could not specify from my prod date - one is single pole (two connections) and the other is double pole (four wire connections). It might behoove you to pull your lower panel and take a look at how many wires are going to the brake switch to save yourself a second trip.

When you get to the point of replacing it, here is a tip (different than what Bentley suggests, but they aren't *perfect*!)

You can very easily pull the bracket that mounts the brake switch (and the cruise control cut-out switch for your clutch, if you have cruise control). Just get a 10mm socket in there to remove the upper cap screw securing the clutch master cylinder - the bolt goes through the clutch master cylinder and chassis and secures a plate that holds the two switches. You can then get both hands on the release mechanism for the switch. To remove the switch from the plate you have to push back a red plastic collar with one hand, and squeeze two plastic tabs together with your *other* two hands. Easy if you have it in front of you; a nightmare if you are balanced on your head under your dash, burning your cheek on your troublelight. (Ask me how I know). One other tip: I needed a stubby ratchet handle to get around all the wiring down there - a godsent tool when you need it.

Have fun!

jonmatar · 01-01-2004, 06:47 PM

Sounds like you know alot about this lol...And I think your right...As my luck should have it I work part time at a shop that specializes in european cars(im a gopher) anyway after talking to the head mechanic that seems to be the problem..ill probably have it fixed soon...Thanks Larry!

Larry F. · 01-01-2004, 08:12 PM

Jon:

Let us know how it comes out. Always something to learn about these beasts.

Later,