E36 brake light failure problem

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   On my E36 328i Coupe, recently (since we had the rainy weather over the past couple of weeks - if this makes a difference) the OBC keeps displaying the '1 tail light failure' message.  Somtimes the OBC displays this message, sometimes everything is OK.  For example the other night on the way to the shops during the journey the message came up on the OBC.  On the way back home everything was fine. 
The brake light bulb that stops working when the message comes up is the one on the n/s/r under the reverse light.  (When the message is not displayed on the OBC the bulbs are OK).  I have replaced the bulb a few times, but the bulbs I remove are never blown.  So obviously something else is casuing the OBC to display the this error message.
Does anyone know what else I can check or what could be causing this to happen?

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DSK328i Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 26-July-2006 Location: Midlands UK Status: Offline Points: 547	Post Options Post Reply Quote DSK328i Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: E36 brake light failure problem Posted: 07-September-2006 at 19:00
	On my E36 328i Coupe, recently (since we had the rainy weather over the past couple of weeks - if this makes a difference) the OBC keeps displaying the '1 tail light failure' message. Somtimes the OBC displays this message, sometimes everything is OK. For example the other night on the way to the shops during the journey the message came up on the OBC. On the way back home everything was fine. The brake light bulb that stops working when the message comes up is the one on the n/s/r under the reverse light. (When the message is not displayed on the OBC the bulbs are OK). I have replaced the bulb a few times, but the bulbs I remove are never blown. So obviously something else is casuing the OBC to display the this error message. Does anyone know what else I can check or what could be causing this to happen?
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jamie (e39)528i Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 03-January-2005 Location: chafford hundred essex Status: Offline Points: 1093	Post Options Post Reply Quote jamie (e39)528i Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07-September-2006 at 19:25
	Are you replacing the bulbs with BMW bulbs as cheaper halfrauds one's can play havoc with the OBC!! Silly i know but it happened on my E34 and new BMW bulbs sorted it. Could be loose bulb holder/dodgy connector's. Sometimes the check control module can play up too,but this should be a last resort. Hope this help's

DSK328i Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 26-July-2006 Location: Midlands UK Status: Offline Points: 547	Post Options Post Reply Quote DSK328i Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07-September-2006 at 19:30
	I am using standard replacement bulbs available from my local motor accessory shop, A1 motorstores. I'll pop to BMW tomorrow and get a couple of BMW ones and try those. Thanks for the tip Edited by DSK328i
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jamie (e39)528i Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 03-January-2005 Location: chafford hundred essex Status: Offline Points: 1093	Post Options Post Reply Quote jamie (e39)528i Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07-September-2006 at 19:34
	Well worth a try,post up the result's,let us know how you get on!

DSK328i Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 26-July-2006 Location: Midlands UK Status: Offline Points: 547	Post Options Post Reply Quote DSK328i Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08-September-2006 at 15:51
	Went to BMW today to get a handfull of bulbs just incase some other bulbs ever go, at least I'll have some decent replacements ready. Today the OBC was fine for several hours. I changed the bulb at BMW and as I set off and brake at the exit of the car park, on came the OBC (1 tail light failure) When I got home I checked the bulb and it turns out I didn't put the bulb into the holder properly . There is a visual difference in the bulb fillament between the cheap ones and the ones that I got of BMW today, mainly the colour of the bits inside the bulb. Thanks again and I'll post on this thread in a day or two to let you know if its sorted.
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jamie (e39)528i Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 03-January-2005 Location: chafford hundred essex Status: Offline Points: 1093	Post Options Post Reply Quote jamie (e39)528i Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08-September-2006 at 19:57
	Nice one DSK328i,i am sure it will sort out your problem's. The bulb's are better quality,as you say the filament's look slightly different,amazing that can make a difference! I thought when i was having trouble's like your's they were trying to wind me up!

russ320 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 28-December-2004 Status: Offline Points: 75	Post Options Post Reply Quote russ320 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09-September-2006 at 15:19
	Had trouble with tail rear fog found it was the bulb holder which are not silly money from stealers along with bulb.

DSK328i Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 26-July-2006 Location: Midlands UK Status: Offline Points: 547	Post Options Post Reply Quote DSK328i Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11-September-2006 at 14:05
	Been running around since Friday and all seems fine now, not had a single problem with the OBC and tail light failures since I put the BMW supplied bulbs in .. thanks for that tip Should I get any further I'll remember to get new holders and have the connectors checked
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jamie (e39)528i Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 03-January-2005 Location: chafford hundred essex Status: Offline Points: 1093	Post Options Post Reply Quote jamie (e39)528i Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11-September-2006 at 20:28
	Thats great news! Glad it sorted your problem's,sometimes it's nice to fix something for a couple of quid rather than spending hours/money trying to find out what is wrong!