I kept getting this indicator light that one of my exterior lights was burned out, but all lights were working. The indicator light would come on intermittently, but all exterior lights were working.

I took the car into the dealer and they hooked it up to the computer. 4 light bulbs were indentified as being burned out, though they all worked. One was black and looked like it was about to burn out though. The computer sends a control voltage through all light bulbs. If the voltage does not return, it signals that a light is burned out. In my case, the resistance of the bulbs were too high tripping the light.

Anyone else have this problem?

There is actually a service bulletin addressing the symptoms you're describing. The problem is caused by a faulty brake force display bulb. When you apply the brakes hard, the brake light bulb illuminates brighter than if you were to gently apply them. The following info is straight from the bulletin:

Perform the following steps to check the CC ID number:

Switch on ignition (KL-R or KL-15)

Toggle rotary switch on direction indicator switch to bring up "Check Control"

Briefly press the on-board computer button

Select the Check-Control message required with the rocker switch

Press the on-board computer button for longer than 2 seconds

The following message will appear in the bottom line of the LCD display for approx. 2 seconds:"CC-ID xxx"

The CC numbers for a faulty BFD bulb are 372 (Left) and 373 (Right).

Did the dealer actually fix your problem? From your post, I am assuming they didn't. If that's the case, may I ask why?

There is actually a service bulletin addressing the symptoms you're describing. The problem is caused by a faulty brake force display bulb. When you apply the brakes hard, the brake light bulb illuminates brighter than if you were to gently apply them. The following info is straight from the bulletin:



Did the dealer actually fix your problem? From your post, I am assuming they didn't. If that's the case, may I ask why?

Yes the dealer did fix the problem, hopefully! The indicator light has not come on yet. They said they replaced 4 bulbs in total.

Oh, okay. I misread the original post, I thought you were asking if the resistance was too high. My mistake. :) At any rate, now you know what caused the problem and how to verify it if it happens again.

Oh, okay. I misread the original post, I thought you were asking if the resistance was too high. My mistake. :) At any rate, now you know what caused the problem and how to verify it if it happens again.

Thanks. Is the brake force light the one in the trunk lid? Is it just a normal bulb with a filament or is it an LED?

It's a separate regular bulb that only illuminates under heavy braking.

Hey E92Vancouver. I have the same issue and I have to take my car in to the dealership. Is this covered in the warranty?

Hey E92Vancouver. I have the same issue and I have to take my car in to the dealership. Is this covered in the warranty?

Sure is!!

Its been happening with mine since I got it. It comes and goes. I've just become used to the fact that if it comes on, it will go out eventually. It could be an electrical surge from braking or it could be a corroded connection point. I'm asking them to look at it while its in for service, will let you know what they tell me.

I used the check control and the code it gave me was "CC-ID 134". From what I've read online it seems to be a known issue. I just want to get it taken care of since the stupid beep is a bit annoying.

I love it when a tread comes back from the dead! I have had the light bulb warning light twice in the last two weeks with all lights working. I am due for an oil service soon so I will find out what is causing this.

Actually, I'm glad this thread came back from the dead. They've finally released an updated bulb holder, AND updated bulbs to fix the problem. Looks like you won't have to put up with it for much longer, Socrates. :)

just ran into this problem today at work.haha

Took my car in the other day and had them look at this. They did infact find a faulty bulb holder and replaced it. So far so good.

to figure out why my light bulb failure light came on. They were vague about how they fixed it and I was so pissed at being at the dealer for 3 hours that I didn't stick around to get the ultimate answer.

I had this crop up, too. It was intermittent for a while, but now I've got the indicator all the time. I'll be making an appointment sometime this week. :(

My 2007 E92 has the intermittent warning problem described in this thread. I'm printing-out the tech bulletin and bringing it along for the next visit to my dealer's service department. Thank You for posting this information. It's very comforting to know that other owners are having the same issue. With the exception of this minor problem, the car is absolutely fantastic in ever measure I can apply. This is my first BMW and I'm hooked.

Just picked my car up from SF BMW. Second time this has happened. Covered under warranty. Invoice detail says they replaced a corroded connection point, which is what the invoice said last time they did the work.

Just picked my car up from SF BMW. Second time this has happened. Covered under warranty. Invoice detail says they replaced a corroded connection point, which is what the invoice said last time they did the work.

You live in a corrosive neigborhood. Do you live by the sea?

i got that once. they fixed it at the dealer. i couldn't find the bulb that was out.

So what happens if the bulb failure warning light fails? Welcome...to the Twilight Zone...

also watch out for the "small" bulbs that are the running lights. usually the right side, outter bulb burns out (common). its hard to see, i actually missed it until a tech pointed it out to me. that one seems to burn out the most

I made an appointment to get this checked after having the light on steady for about 5 days. After making the appointment, I haven't received the warning! Go figure... :confused

And they couldn't determine the cause of the warning. Bah!

Good post!

I had the warning light come up before my 15K mile checkup, they addressed it and the problem popped up again last week!

Good to know.

Had the bulb light pop on a few times over the past year. Just took it in, and they are going to replace a few parts per the bulletin that has been posted about the issue. This will most likely fix it I suppose.

I'm not sure that the updated bulb holder has been released yet. I replaced one today, and the bulbs still seemed rather loose in the sockets. When I see the new holder, I'll definitely let you guys know.

FYI, there's another new bulletin for the rear lights. The brake force display bulbs and sockets have been having more issues - those are the brake lights in the trunk. After all these years, BMW still hasn't figured out how to make a taillight that works correctly.

After all these years, BMW still hasn't figured out how to make a taillight that works correctly.
BMW doesn't make light bulbs or enclosures, they OEM them and sometime OEMs have quality issues since they have their own independent quality standards and processes.

I'm not sure that the updated bulb holder has been released yet. I replaced one today, and the bulbs still seemed rather loose in the sockets. When I see the new holder, I'll definitely let you guys know.

FYI, there's another new bulletin for the rear lights. The brake force display bulbs and sockets have been having more issues - those are the brake lights in the trunk. After all these years, BMW still hasn't figured out how to make a taillight that works correctly.

The brake force bulletin is the one they are doing for mine. Has something to do with the adaptive braking system apparently.

BMW doesn't make light bulbs or enclosures, they OEM them and sometime OEMs have quality issues since they have their own independent quality standards and processes.

I know.