Dim tail lights on 330i

Wolfchild · 26 Oct 2007 at 16:05

Hi all, hope someone may be able to help me as its driving me mad.

My rear lights on my 330i are very dim on the passenger side, all bulbs work but much dimmer than the drivers side.

This was definitely not the case the other week where both were equally as bright.

Any ideas?

One of my Xenon bulbs blew on the passenger side the other day, but its been replaced now. I had hoped this would fix this issue as i thought they may be related, but maybe not!

Many Thanks

[TW]Fox · 26 Oct 2007 at 16:23

Have you tried replacing the tail light bulb?

TDK · 26 Oct 2007 at 16:26

I would say there is a problem with the contacts on the lights connector behind the light casing, it happened on mine when I went to replace a bulb the whole connector virtually fell of, it all corroded, the same hapenned on the otherside :mad:

Bassically whats happening is because there is a loose contact its sparking when ever the lights go on heating up the cables.

Wolfchild · 26 Oct 2007 at 16:27

Bulbs are fine Fox, did check that as had some spares.

Hmm, will go look at the contacts, sounds rather plausible indeed, thanks TDK!

Matt82 · 26 Oct 2007 at 16:31

bad earth possibly... why not take it to BMW or are you a DIY type?

Scania · 26 Oct 2007 at 16:45

Check the bulbs are not 24V rather than 12V, I know from experience, 24V bulbs glow dimly in a BMW !

Ahem.

NickXX · 26 Oct 2007 at 17:41

Have you tried disconnecting the connector and plugging it back in again? Earth connector has a tendency to corrode on the e46 plug.

mrk · 26 Oct 2007 at 21:43

I had a similar round of issues on mine too a while back, in the end after trying everything I just said sod it and it fixed itself a few weeks later never to return again - truly bizarre!

realscot · 27 Oct 2007 at 10:29

It really does sound like an earth problem. So as already said check connections, also if you have any, spray some electrical contact cleaner on the connections.

Wolfchild · 27 Oct 2007 at 16:08

Yea, just a silly earthing problem as suggested.

Corroded plug as NickXX said. Wee clean up and all good!

Sure that would have been a nice bill at the stealers, luckily although i'm lazy i'm also impatient as could not get it seen to till next week.

Thanks all!

NickXX · 27 Oct 2007 at 16:14

Wolfchild said:
Yea, just a silly earthing problem as suggested.

Corroded plug as NickXX said. Wee clean up and all good!

Sure that would have been a nice bill at the stealers, luckily although i'm lazy i'm also impatient as could not get it seen to till next week.

Good stuff

Yeah, I think the stealers change the plugs which costs a fortune!