Rear bulb issue on Bmw E90 2008

rizzee

Just got the car back from a service this evening and a few things recommended by my mechanic. Apart from the pollen filter and tyres that I can sort myself, the 3 bulbs on the back driver side on the boot lid (reverse,parking and fog) aren't working.

They all went within a few days of each other at the end of last week, so I said I would leave them and get mechanic to change them while he is doing the service.


He explained to me (from the best of my knowledge/what I gathered) that it will be in the region of 300 euro to get them fixed as it isn't the bulbs but the wiring from it to the ECU?! And it's an NCT failure (for obvious reasons -my test isn't up til next Summer anyway)

My question is, has this happened to anyone else before and if there was another alternative solution than to mess around with ECU wiring.

I'd hate to part with that amount of money if there is an easier fix that he didn't spot.

Thanks

embraer170

Is it one of the cables here by any chance?



A bit of tape fixed a similar issue I had with my E90 a few years ago. While the fix isn't perfect, I have not had a problem since.

368100

Check that the light is earthed properly. I had a few issues with BMWs before on this, simple enough fix if it is that

Granted a mechanic should pick up something so simple but mine didn't!

rizzee

Thanks a mil for the replies. I will take a good look over in the morning and let you know

rebel.ranter

rizzee wrote: »

Thanks a mil for the replies. I will take a good look over in the morning and let you know

If the wires are shorting off each other after breaking then you could end up with a bigger problem. The ECU will disable a circuit after 67 incidents of shorts on that circuit.

The ECU can be reset using software (Tool32). However BMW dealers can not reset the units, their only option is to replace with a new ECU! There are a few indys that can do this for you if needed.

rizzee

rebel.ranter wrote: »

If the wires are shorting off each other after breaking then you could end up with a bigger problem. The ECU will disable a circuit after 67 incidents of shorts on that circuit.

The ECU can be reset using software (Tool32). However BMW dealers can not reset the units, their only option is to replace with a new ECU! There are a few indys that can do this for you if needed.

Ah balls, definitely sounds like it could have been disabled so.

I had a look this evening, I can't see any problems with the wiring from under the boot lid at all.

Is there anything specific to look out for? It all looks like new!

Thanks

rebel.ranter

Check the wiring inside the rubber sheath especially where it bends. It might not be immediately obvious. Pay particular attention to the brown (-ve) wires.

Don’t worry too much about the reset. I can do it but I’m in Cork!

rizzee

rebel.ranter wrote: »

Check the wiring inside the rubber sheath especially where it bends. It might not be immediately obvious. Pay particular attention to the brown (-ve) wires.

Don’t worry too much about the reset. I can do it but I’m in Cork!

Is that the rubber hose that connect to the car from boot? Pic in link (Just one from Google, at bottom right of image, ignore the things circled already http://images61.fotki.com/v666/photos/2/289242/9571016/IMAG0281-vi.jpg )



I'll have a good look in detail tomorrow but I didn't see anything wrong today. Will also grab pictures.

I'm actually in Charleville in 2 weeks time :pac:

rizzee

@embraer170 I think that's the place Rebel is talking about. Will open it up tomorrow and check

rizzee

Pictures attached, I can't find any faults, any suggestions?

rizzee

Something was I completely forgot about, I have a Mapfre warranty til next March that came with the car, must dig out the booklet details to see if would include ECU stuff,if that is the case

R.O.R

The are all those wires secure going in to the block? Had all 3 go on my E60 and wiggling the brown wire got them back.

Lights aren't in the boot on the E60 though.

rizzee

R.O.R wrote: »

The are all those wires secure going in to the block? Had all 3 go on my E60 and wiggling the brown wire got them back.

Lights aren't in the boot on the E60 though.

I'll give it a go, what's the harm, cheers.

Ah I miss my e60

rizzee

Everything is completely solid and in place. No luck.

embraer170

Did you pull the rubber tube back properly and check the full length of the wires?. In my E90, it was quite obvious they were damaged.

The mechanic didn't tell you what exactly is wrong?

rebel.ranter

embraer170 wrote: »

Did you pull the rubber tube back properly and check the full length of the wires?. In my E90, it was quite obvious they were damaged.

The mechanic didn't tell you what exactly is wrong?

Yes, I agree with this, you have to go deep in to the rubber tubing (bottom right as per your earlier question). Where the tube does the most bending is where the wires are most likely cracked/broken, they go brittle with age.

rizzee

Thanks, so as per the picture I took , I must stretch it down more and pay more attention to the wires that bend from the actual boot to car will update tomorrow, really appreciate the advice so far.

rizzee

Just a quick update. Still the same issue.

Started car this morning and another 2 warning lights, the car on ramp one and then the clocks (time) just reset itself.

It's time to ring the warranty tomorrow to see if anything is covered.

Cerco

Did all three lights fail at the same time?
If so I would check the earthing. Pull the cables slightly, individually to check if the wire is broken.
Check around the sockets to make sure there is good connectivity.
Check for any signs of water contamination.

rizzee

Cerco wrote: »

Did all three lights fail at the same time?
If so I would check the earthing. Pull the cables slightly, individually to check if the wire is broken.
Check around the sockets to make sure there is good connectivity.
Check for any signs of water contamination.

All within a day or two anyway. Actually I remember getting the warning before, i would go around to the back of the car and knock on the outside of the boot lamps like knocking on a door, and it would go back on! Completely forgot about that. Was a few months ago though...


I will take it apart again so...wires seem fine and securely connected to the plastic housing for the bulbs.

Wires have been checked,where viable, and inside the black rubber hose (pic attached previous post). I'm not sure where else to check.

368100

Cerco wrote: »

Did all three lights fail at the same time?
If so I would check the earthing. Pull the cables slightly, individually to check if the wire is broken.
Check around the sockets to make sure there is good connectivity.
Check for any signs of water contamination.

Sounds like the earthing alright, particularly with the clock resetting itself

rizzee

The 4 different coloured wires are securely into the white plastic "plug that connects to the housing for the bulbs. I've wiggled it around numerous times.

I'll get a few more bulbs and keep changing. Will ring warranty company after work this evening.

Would anyone be around Meath or north Dublin to take a look? Will pay for your time.

rizzee

Tried new bulbs. Nothing. Lots of messing around with the wires. Nothing.

Got onto warranty company show put me through to CSE McGrath near Blanchardstown to get a diagnostic done to see if the fault is covered under the warranty.

Just a couple more snaps. Dont know what else to do at the moment. Frustrating.

rizzee

Went in today. Needs new wiring according to the garage the warranty company deals with. Not included with warranty too,my own expense if I want to fix it there.

I asked him about the ecu being reset and he said he has never had to do that for them before.


I said it to my own mechanic and he said if the wiring is being changed then the way he to be taken out to be sent away and reset which is a couple of hundred quid.

I'm lost.

rebel.ranter

rizzee wrote: »

I said it to my own mechanic and he said if the wiring is being changed then the way he to be taken out to be sent away and reset which is a couple of hundred quid.

I'm lost.

If the ECU needs to be reset it won’t cost hundreds! If you’re really stuck drive down to me in Cork and I’ll do it for free! Or we’ll find someone that can do it for you in Dublin.

I just remotely logged in to a car in the Chsmpagne region in France and changed the language of the iDrive to French and enabled MP3 playback as well as coding USB integration & Bluetooth. All remotely.

rizzee

rebel.ranter wrote: »

If the ECU needs to be reset it won’t cost hundreds! If you’re really stuck drive down to me in Cork and I’ll do it for free! Or we’ll find someone that can do it for you in Dublin.

I just remotely logged in to a car in the Chsmpagne region in France and changed the language of the iDrive to French and enabled MP3 playback as well as coding USB integration & Bluetooth. All remotely.

Do you think you could be able to fix the wiring issue too? It wouldn't bother me driving down at all!

It's going in to get the shaky engine sorted on Monday, but that's another issue!!

ezra_

out of interest, what would a new ecu for an e90 set you back?

Skylinehead

ezra_ wrote: »

out of interest, what would a new ecu for an e90 set you back?

I've recently sort of been in this situation. About 4 grand apparently.

ezra_

Skylinehead wrote: »

I've recently sort of been in this situation. About 4 grand apparently.

4k for an ECU?! You've been had mate

Skylinehead

ezra_ wrote: »

4k for an ECU?! You've been had mate

I didn't buy it

In fairness this was an E92 325, failing emissions. They couldn't figure out what was wrong with it, said maybe they could try a new ECU, but 4 grand for that. Dealer didn't want to pay that so I was refunded (NCT was in the sale contract, didn't get it).

Of course there's possibly some embellishment going on, but that car still isn't fixed.

rizzee

I was told in and around 650 to get the whole ECU reset after wiring was done.

rizzee

Just a small update on this. Have gotten in touch with someone in Rathcoole who can rewire and reprogram it for 120 euro total. I think that's my best option, for the sake of getting it through NCT before I sell it later in the year.

Got the clutch and flywheel done just before Christmas too!