Brake light issues

[t58martin]

I have a 97' 318i. I have had nothing but problems with the brake lights. Mechanic said the problem was quite common on E36 and could fix for $420. Currently only the middle brake light is working. I have replaced bulbs and cleaned the contacts on the two rear lights (l & R) several times. Center brake light does not appear to be effected.

Is this a common problem with the E36, and if so what is the remedy?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

[Manolito]

There are several common problems, and a lot of folks have replaced their tail lights because the plastic has faded and turned opaque, and because the corroded connections at the sockets ended up burning holes in the traces in the tail lights. I have replaced several sockets and soldered up a couple of holes in traces, but I have not bought any new tail lights yet for either of my two '97s. Some day I will.

When you cleaned the contacts, did you look in where the contacts touch the trace to see if there are holes burned in the trace? When that happens, the tabs on the sockets usually look a little burned as well.

[jegan]

I have a similar problem. My right and left side brake lights work 'when they feel like it' and the center brake light (on the trunk) works all the time. I read the articles and did replace the lights but once again I have the same problem. I also read that it can be a bad ground, so I stripped the ground wire on the light and made sure it was grounded. That didn't work either. I'm beginning to think it may be the junction box which splits the power to the two side brake lights and the center light. Unfortunately, I have no idea where it is.

If you resolved this issue, please post what it was that worked.

Thx ;-)

[leopole]

I replaced the bulbs, sockets, and the tail light lenses to get 'em working again on my '93 325is. However, my blinkers are another issue!

[Gene Wilkes]

Try bending outward the two metal tabs (slightly) on the outer edges of the sockets. Worked for my taillight issue.