NCT - Warning light for rear brakelight

Green_Martian

Hi all


Have my NCT tonight and I have a warning that comes up for the right rear brake light. The thing is the rear light and break light both work so no idea why the warning is coming up. Car is a BMW 2010 320d is that helps at all.


Can anyone tell me if i could be failed because of this warning light?


I know they fail for engine warning/ air bag warning lights displayed but wondering if all warning lights are considered a fail or just some.


Next question is how do i clear the warning, i assume garage or BMW dealer to reset warning?


Thanks in advance
G

PaddyFagan

Haven't had that problem with that car - but on other cars - removing the bulb, using something to clean the contacts (WD40 worked for me) and putting it back in was all that was needed. That said if it doesn't work replacement rear bulbs are cheap - so a quick replacement would be my second option.

Paddy

PS Should have said in other BMWs - once the issue is fixed, the light reset without garage intervention.

No it's not a fail.

The Astra is supposed to have 4 rear lights. 2 each side. My friend has 1 on each side as two of the same went.

Warning comes up on the dash for both of them when you start the ignition. NCT didnt care. Bulbs were working which was the main part.

Might be worth saying it to the tester or leaving the car running and X'ing out of the messages if you can, so they dont appear during the test.

But it's not a fail anyway in my experience.

Edit : sorry I just read that you cant clear the warning. I read it wrong the first time.

Are you sure you cant clear it by cycling through the menu of whatever screen it appears on? Works on the Astra and worked on a 407 that gave a similar message a few years back. Never owned a BMW so no idea of what their menu/notifications system is like.

Green_Martian

PaddyFagan wrote: »

Haven't had that problem with that car - but on other cars - removing the bulb, using something to clean the contacts (WD40 worked for me) and putting it back in was all that was needed. That said if it doesn't work replacement rear bulbs are cheap - so a quick replacement would be my second option.

Paddy

PS Should have said in other BMWs - once the issue is fixed, the light reset without garage intervention.

Thanks Paddy


Good to hear the warning resets once issue fixed.


I think on this model the rear lights are LED, will see if i have time this evening to even take a look and remove connection and clean it. The pain is there are 2 rear clusters on each side for the brake lights so will have to get access to both


thanks again for the advice

bazz26

Anyone with the likes of Carly or INPA software can read, clear and reset the fault code. However if the warning comes back after it is cleared the underlying problem remains. If all the bulbs including number plate bulbs have been checked then the next thing would be to check the wiring loom and connector.

No idea if it's a NCT fail or not.

Green_Martian

Deleted User wrote: »

No it's not a fail.

The Astra is supposed to have 4 rear lights. 2 each side. My friend has 1 on each side as two of the same went.

Warning comes up on the dash for both of them when you start the ignition. NCT didnt care. Bulbs were working which was the main part.

Might be worth saying it to the tester or leaving the car running and X'ing out of the messages if you can, so they dont appear during the test.

But it's not a fail anyway in my experience.

Edit : sorry I just read that you cant clear the warning. I read it wrong the first time.

Are you sure you cant clear it by cycling through the menu of whatever screen it appears on? Works on the Astra and worked on a 407 that gave a similar message a few years back. Never owned a BMW so no idea of what their menu/notifications system is like.

The main message across the sat nav screen disappears after 30 secs i think, but on the dash there is a little triangle displayed that's what i was more worried about


Yeah good shout on saying it to the tester before he takes it in, will have better chance to see him as you have to wait int he car now form what i have read


thanks again for your help

Patrick2010

My Avensis got through two NCTs with the engine warning light on. Mechanic says its warning relates to an oxygen sensor but as long as the emissions are ok its not a fail. Has no affect on performance or fuel economy so never bothered getting it fixed.

Spook_ie

Just check that no one's upgraded standard bulbs to LED as on majority of cars with canbus will show an error, unless you buy the more expensive LEDs which fool the canbus with an additional resistor

https://10carbest.com/how-to-fix-led-bulbs-canbus-error-codes

Green_Martian

Thanks all for you help

Just an update to let you know car passed NCT, tester just said to me that warning came up but lights were working ok so no reason to fail it but that i should get it looked at

Thanks again as always Motor forum

CoBo55

Patrick2010 wrote: »

My Avensis got through two NCTs with the engine warning light on. Mechanic says its warning relates to an oxygen sensor but as long as the emissions are ok its not a fail. Has no affect on performance or fuel economy so never bothered getting it fixed.

Ha ha, it would be the exception if it wasn’t lit:D