the brake/taillight indicator on the instrument cluster always stays lit up for both lights, even though all of the lights work fine. the center brake light works also. Any ideas what is wrong? I have disconnected the battery, thinking it might clear itself, but did not.
Just to make sure I am right here, and so know one asks... both bulbs, on each side are lit up in normal lighting conditions (4 taillight bulbs total) when brakes are applied only the outer bulbs brighten up, both inner bulbs remain the same(center bulb lights up{r/deck lid})

anyone seen this happen before or have any ideas?

Buckeye,

I'm having the same problem with my 2001 325ci... Both rear lights show up on the dash as out when in fact they are not. ANother forum told me to check and make sure they (the bulbs) are:

#1 Silver Based, NOT copper
#2 Contacts shiney and clean
#3 All bulbs made by same manufacturer. (BMW I Sure)

I've cleaned my contacts and checked the bulbs. All fine. I still have the same problem most of the time. (The lights go out once in a while for a day or two then they are back on for weeks!) :(

As a last resort, this site told me to replace the lighting control (bulb control) module.... I don't think this model even has one!!!

Any help here would be appreciated.... Thanks

Charles

I've been having this problem lately. Mine, I'm almost sure, is because of the contacts being a bit corroded. I checked, and I need to fix them.
Sometimes, if I remove and insert them back, it works and the OBC doesn't complain. However, the moment I turn on the headlights, it does. It maybe because it's a different manufacturer 'cos I had changed some - never thought of that!

I have changed both of the tail lights and brake lights w/ sylvania bulbs. Still the same indication as before

Does anyone have (or know where to get ) a good wiring diagram for this issue.
I have also checked this with my OBD II scanner (Actron brand from Auto Zone) , and do not get any codes.
I am assuming that the computer gets power back to it from the lights showing a completed circuit. Maybe one of those wires are bad, broken, etc. or maybe a relay some where. I would just like a diagram to start with.
Or is this Scannner not sophisticated enough for BMW's?

I think there is some interior problem in it !
So do check it properly.

I've had this problem also. I asked the gentleman that I bought the car from, and he said that when he replaced the tail lights with clear turn signals that the pins didn't line up properly and that was what was causing the "tailight failure" to come on. I checked and everything was ok. The failure only comes on every once and while, and when I look at the back of the car all lights are working.

finally got back to this issue, one of the local bmw repair centers(not dealer), told me that lighting issues are a common problem for the E-46 model, Anyway one thing I have noticed is that both licence plate lights were not working, pulled of the small clear lense and both bulbs are are burnt out, "Eureka" I said to myself. replaced bulbs. they still do not work, I checked voltage. getting 12v to each bulb and and ground is good on both bulbs, at least at first disconnect plug. bulb work fine if I hook them up to a direct 12v source.also the switch is good between the 2 bulbs.
so maybe a ground issue farther into the wiring harness?
But, will a blown licence plate bulb give an indication on the dash????
and what the *@#%*&^%#@#? is that stupid little switch for that is located between the 2 licence plate bulbs (on the same mounting plane).:mad

I know it has been said but alomost always it is a connector problem with the lights themselves. First make sure they are the correct bulbs for the socket and not and equivalent then clean the connectors on the bulbs and the base and reset. BMW always have had issues with grounding.

I know it has been said but alomost always it is a connector problem with the lights themselves. First make sure they are the correct bulbs for the socket and not and equivalent then clean the connectors on the bulbs and the base and reset. BMW always have had issues with grounding.
This is especially true of E46s. The tail light connector and wiring harness can burn up.

BMW has issued a service bulletin (http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/bulletin_graphic_temp/B630306g.htm) for 9/2001 to 3/2005 sedans. If the tail light connectors are undamaged, you add an extra ground to each tail light cluster; if the connectors are damaged, you replace them and then add the extra grounds. It's an easy fix, and the parts (for undamaged connectors) cost no more than $20 at the local BMW dealer.

OK Sorry I forgot to post an update, I got back into this mess this weekend. I did have a bad wire going from the plug at the license plate lighting harness(3 wire mini plug) to ground. I tried to trace it out but couldn't find any breaks, so I just tapped into the ground wire for the back-up lights. Now everything is working correctly, this also took care of my indication light on the dash. I never would have thought the l/p lights would have show that. I thought that was just tail and brake lights. I could have sworn also I had checked the L/P lights earlier...Oh well at least it is fixed, Thanks to all for your inputs