TAIL LIGHT FAILURE Fix!!! Finally! =)

[clumpymold]

Hey all!

With the help of Jay Linton, I have FINALLY figured out a way to bypass my Check Control Module (CCM) so that I won't get that annoying "TAIL LIGHT FAILURE" anymore when I turn my parking lights on. This, I believe, is mainly for those that have aftermarket taillights or those that have messed up OBCs. Not sure why I got this error as it took about 3-4 months AFTER I got my aftermarket taillights for this to appear.

He emailed me this document (right-click, save as):

Taillight Error Fix

At any rate, here is my version of that with more pictures and using my method (I also did NOT fix the "BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE" since I didn't have it).

Tools needed:

Screwdriver - flathead ("+" sign), #2
Scissors (or wire stripper)
Butt connectors x 2 (or solder)
Male connectors x 2 (or solder)
Female connectors x 2 (or solder)
Extra wire, ~1 ft. (optional)

Quick overview of procedure:

Remove driver underpanel
Remove CCM and plugs
Cut four wires on BLACK plug and splice each pair together
Cut two wires on WHITE plug and plug each into pair from BLACK plug
Put CCM, plugs, and underpanel back


Step 1:

Remove driver's underpanel. It's attached by three screws. Two on each side of the steering wheel and one beneath. The panel is semi-attached on the left side by the door. Slowly pull that piece OUTWARD AWAY from the steering wheel. See the three pictures below of each screw.

To the left and right of the steering wheel, respectively:




Underneath the dash, by the accelerator pedal:



Step 2:

Slowly pull the left side of this piece outward while pulling the entire unit toward the seat partially. Unplug the footwell light (if equipped) and the two other plugs (not sure what they're for - sensors, maybe?). Then pull the entire unit completely out and set it aside.

Step 3:

You'll now see the CCM in the upper left side of the lower dash. You'll only be able to see it if you crawl under there. The WHITE plug is the incoming signal while the BLACK plug is the outgoing signal. This is what you'll see (picture courtesy of JJL Customs):



Step 4:

At this point you have two choices:

A: Locate and cut the wires (listed below) for each respective plug. (Easier overall but it may be hard to find the wires.)

B: Remove the CCM by unscrewing the plastic screw BY HAND on the left side (when facing the CCM) and slowly lowering the left side of the module. Then pull the CCM towards the left once the CCM is past the screw. After doing this, pull each plug closer to you to gain access to the wires and then cut the appropriate wires listed below. It may be easier to unplug each plug by sliding the tops of the plugs away from each other. (More foolproof way but slightly more difficult - this is the method I used.)

[clumpymold]

This is the side of my CCM:



These are the wires to cut & splice together:

WHITE Plug -----> BLACK Plug

(Grey/Violet) -----> (Grey/Violet/Yellow & Grey/Green/Yellow) [DRIVER'S SIDE]

(Grey/Yellow) -----> (Grey/White/Yellow & Grey/Blue/Yellow) [PASSENGER'S SIDE]

The first color represents the main color of the wire while the second is the vertical stripe. If a third color is present, these are the spots on the wire. On the WHITE plug, you'll notice TWO similar Grey/Yellow wires but one is YELLOW/grey while the other is GREY/yellow. BE CAREFUL!!! I had already snipped the YELLOW/grey one for my "LOW BEAM FAILURE" fix so it wasn't an issue for me.

These are the pictures of the wires I cut on the BLACK plug:



Step 5:

I basically cut the wires and spliced each pair up to a longer, extension wire (for easier access) using butt connectors. Here's a picture:



Step 6:

I then cut each of the appropriate wires on the WHITE plug and crimped ONE MALE connector and ONE FEMALE connector on each of the wires. I then did the same, but OPPOSITE on the extension wires (to avoid plugging the wrong wires together). This is a close up as well as the entire wiring scheme:




Step 7:

If you removed the entire plug, plug each plug back in temporarily (you don't have to completely slide the plug back on) to check to see if the error still occurs. If you did NOT remove the plug, then simply turn the car to the "2" position and then turn the parking lights on. If you have NO error, you're good to go.

Step 8:

That's it. Installation is reverse of removal. You can now enjoy your OBC without that damn message now.

Any questions? Post here or email me: clumpymold@sbcglobal.net

- Curtis

[M3zie]

Which message were you getting. About once a month I'll get the Brakelight Circuit error message, I'm guessing this isn't the same thing.

[bmwperson]

Tail Light Failure

[clumpymold]

[WTFPENGUIN]

So you want to do this for me, seems uber complex

[clumpymold]

Originally Posted by lucky579

So you want to do this for me, seems uber complex

Complex? Splice a few wires together.

[WTFPENGUIN]

Originally Posted by clumpymold

Complex? Splice a few wires together.

right...maybe I should just buy the correct taillights

What if there really is a taillight failure? will it let you know?

[CarbonBlkE36]

::::clearing Throat::::::



\\\hack///

[clumpymold]

Originally Posted by lucky579

right...maybe I should just buy the correct taillights

What if there really is a taillight failure? will it let you know?

Then you'll have either brake light failure, or taillight fail1 or taillight fail2 or something like that. If your blinkers are out, they'll blink faster.

Oh, not sure about buying the correct taillights. I've heard some OEM ones give you the error as well. Not really sure mine even gave me the error as it took about 3-4 months after installing them. I think it may have been caused by some short while installing my HID highs.

[clumpymold]

Originally Posted by CarbonBlkE36

::::clearing Throat::::::



\\\hack///

Not sure what that means.

[clumpymold]

Wow, I'm surprised no one's interested in this. A few weeks ago it seemed as if people were begging me for a fix.

[Black95///M3]

will this work for a 95?

[Daved]

I'm interested in a permanent fix for the "brake light circuit" error

[Keda]

Good job Clumpy! This is a work around, but if it makes the light go out, then... mission accomplished. I don't have the error, but am always wary of it w/my crystal tails.

[96cosmosM3]

Great post! I've been getting intermittent light failure messages with both US orange oem lights and clear euro oem lights.

[96cosmosM3]

Originally Posted by CarbonBlkE36

::::clearing Throat::::::



\\\hack///

You got a better solution?

[clumpymold]

Originally Posted by Black95///M3

will this work for a 95?

I don't see why it wouldn't. Just look under your dash and find your CCM. If it looks the same and the wires are there, it should work. BUT, if you're not getting the "TAIL LIGHT FAILURE" error, then don't do it.

Originally Posted by Daved

I'm interested in a permanent fix for the "brake light circuit" error

Well, there's a fix for the "BRAKE LIGHT FAIL" or something like that in the link to that document. Is that what you're looking for?

Originally Posted by Keda

Good job Clumpy! This is a work around, but if it makes the light go out, then... mission accomplished. I don't have the error, but am always wary of it w/my crystal tails.

Thanks! Yep, I also have crystal tails and it was fine for about 3-4 months or so. Then, all of a sudden, it popped up. So I'm not even sure if it was my tails. I was working with my HIDs at that time and shorted some stuff out.

Which reminds me, my damn trunk light is out. I was plugging it back in and something shorted. Changed bulbs but it still doesn't work. I measured the power and there's power going to the unit, I believe. A complete circuit is made when I touch the chassis. Just need to find the power. Sucks.

Originally Posted by 96cosmosM3

Great post! I've been getting intermittent light failure messages with both US orange oem lights and clear euro oem lights.

Yay! Yep, I've heard this problem happening even on OEM lights. So the excuse of getting OEM lights is not the answer.

Originally Posted by 96cosmosM3

You got a better solution?

Haha, ok. I think I know what he means now. And yeah, you have a better solution (besides buying OEM clears - see above post)?

[Black95///M3]

I just did this to my 95 today. Thanks for the pics and such. I am now light free, if you don't count the airbag light behind the tape that I can't see.

[Daved]

Originally Posted by clumpymold

Well, there's a fix for the "BRAKE LIGHT FAIL" or something like that in the link to that document. Is that what you're looking for?

Nop I'm looking for a fix for the "brake light circuit" error, the one that comes up on your OBC when the brake light switch (on the brake pedal) is bad (but replacing it with a new one on my car didn't fix it completely).

[clumpymold]

Originally Posted by Daved

Nop I'm looking for a fix for the "brake light circuit" error, the one that comes up on your OBC when the brake light switch (on the brake pedal) is bad (but replacing it with a new one on my car didn't fix it completely).

Oh, yeah. I've heard of that. I'm sure there's a fix somewhere. Not sure if it's to bypass the CCM though.

[clumpymold]

[KozanBMW]

I have OEM Euro lights and have gotten this error since the second I installed them over a year ago. HOORAY!!

[cosmos4life]

tried but gave up after a couple minutes and paid someone to do it

im so lazy

[jotti]

Sweet! I definately need to do this. This should be added to the diy section or stickied!!!!!