Replaced brake switch...still get Check light

[m3f_Gorgerax]

The aforementioned brake switch appears to be a real common problem with our cars. I've been getting the intermittent dash "Check" light and "Brake Circuit Failure" on the computer for months. Finally replaced it Saturday...upside down under the dash, door sill breaking my spine, trying to push the brake peddle down with my head so as to use both hands to get the switch out/in! DAMMM...



Got the new one in and hooked up. Did a check...no codes; all brake lights function normally...



Then, on the way to work today, the Check light/brake circuit failure codes come back!



Any ideas what else it could be? Thanks!

[m3f_DIRKDIGGLERM3]

Same thing happened here my "BLIND EYES" did not catch the bulb in the rear that was shot, a young friend of mine caught it....... btw i sit in front of a computer 10-12 hrs daily.

Hope thats the problem.


Rob

[m3f_elisesport]

Just got the "brake light system failure" warning too. No brake lights working at all, I guess a new switch should fix it?

[m3f_///M3..E36]

Just got the "brake light system failure" warning too. No brake lights working at all, I guess a new switch should fix it?

if you have no brake lights at all i dont think the switch will fix that. i have had the failure warning for awhile now but brake lights work fine. i think the warning is for the switch or if a bulb burns out, if none of your brake light are working i would tend to think theres a short or something more than just the switch.

[m3f_Gorgerax]

if you have no brake lights at all i dont think the switch will fix that. i have had the failure warning for awhile now but brake lights work fine. i think the warning is for the switch or if a bulb burns out, if none of your brake light are working i would tend to think theres a short or something more than just the switch.

I agree. Either all 3 went out at the same time (Unlikely) or its a fuse or something like that.

[m3f_IppoJ]

I went through a bunch of bulbs and the PO had already replaced the switch so I got a little po'd the other day and after some troubleshooting I found that at some point one of the contacts in the left tail light arced and burnt a hole.

I soldered the hole shut with some silver solder and haven't had any problems since.

[m3f_Red-KAT]

I went to BMW and the guy told me not to use the cheap bulbs you get a the discount auto places... He gave me a set of bulbs at about $5 each and they solved my issue.



Plus the ones I replaced were duel filament with a single, i checked the discount stores book and they have the wrong part as my replacement.



Check your bulb, if the system does not detect the correct voltage it go's off.

[m3f_badgtho]

clean all bulb contacts... use good bulbs.



did you use the correct switch for the car?



to the guy w/o any brake lights... replace the switch.

[m3f_TeejSiege]

Replacing that switch is like performing oral surgery on yourself. It sure is worth it though.

[m3f_badgtho]

Replacing that switch is like performing oral surgery on yourself. It sure is worth it though.

not sure what you mean... if you mean it's hard then something is wrong.



it should take 20 minutes tops.