Yeah yeah yeah, I know, this is a common problem. OK, so I have a '97 M3 with OBC. Anyway I got some clear taillights from Pacific BMW. Install went fine. Lights works fine. Well tonight is the first time that I have turned on my headlights in the past week and it set off the check control saying "Tail light failure". I turned off the car and turned it on again and it was fine, until I turned the headlights back on. Turn signals work fine, reverse works fine, tail lights light up when I turn the headlights on. Seems like everything is fine. I even called up Pacific BMW and they double checked the PN and it was indeed for a '97 coupe with OBC. Any ideas?
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I'm curious too. I'm buying some clears next week. Also for a 97. I wonder if it's a 97 thing. Anyone else seen this? -
I just installed clear lenses bought from a dealer on my '96 M3 and also get the TAIL LIGHT FAILURE message. Was there ever any resolution to this thread?Comment
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Got a question.. who isntalled them. you or the dealer?Comment
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I installed them myself. It was a pretty effortless install, but one that appears more complicated than I had originally thought!Comment
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Make sure all the bulbs are good. A weak bulb, or one thats starting to go will set off a taillight failure... that happened to me.. all the bulbs were working, I finally got fed up and replaced them all and the error went away. Just one idea..
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Once i flicked my lights on and off with the switch on the dash and it must have shorted out. I got the TAIL LIGHT FAILURE message also. I checked all the lights, they were perfectly fine. Got in the car and reset the key and the message went away.Comment
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Hey Dark, you really bumped an old thread. Geez. Anyway I returned the lights and Pacific picked up the shipping price and credited my account for the full amount(even the original shipping). I am just going to order them from my local BMW dealership, and with my gf's employee discount it is only $95 a light. Not bad.Comment
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Hey Dark, you really bumped an old thread. Geez. Anyway I returned the lights and Pacific picked up the shipping price and credited my account for the full amount(even the original shipping). I am just going to order them from my local BMW dealership, and with my gf's employee discount it is only $95 a light. Not bad.
Odd. Came out as an unread thread this morning, and at 5:30am, I am too lazy to check dates :P ... *shrug*
Yeah, discount good. Save my rear all the time. :thumbsup:Comment
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Originally posted by Dustin Howell:
I'm curious too. I'm buying some clears next week. Also for a 97. I wonder if it's a 97 thing. Anyone else seen this?
I have a '97 model, no problems with my clears front or back. I don't think it has anything to do with the model year of your M. The problem seems to be the plug or bulb receptacles not making good solid contact.(theory) At my dealership, people come in complaining about rear tail light failure fault codes on there OBD display. It will throw a fault code even if the lights are working perfectly. My dealership doesn't recommend clears anymore for e36 cars.(too many returns and troubleshooting headaches over the years). It seems to be a wide spread quality control problem. The source or name brand or the vendor does seem to matter. Genuine BMW OEM(euro)clears from the dealer seem to fault less often.(this what I bought)
The only thing you can do is try it, and see what happens.
eace:
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Geez I have this same problem now and cant figure it out.. and this is with the stock lights...Comment
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do a search, there can be a circuit problem.
well this thread talked me right out of the rear clears! they do look so much cooler though.
BTW bmw has a part no for rear clears with or without check control.. many of the aftermarket sellers dont distinguish a difference.Comment
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I just installed smoked DEPO tails.
At first the rear left turn signal and left side rear parking lights weren't working.
I switched some bulbs around and they started to work, but now I have the light failure message just like everyone else.
If the lights are working fine, is there a way to turn off the message?
I am going to buy all new bulbs to see if that helps, hopefully it does.Comment
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I just installed smoked DEPO tails.
At first the rear left turn signal and left side rear parking lights weren't working.
I switched some bulbs around and they started to work, but now I have the light failure message just like everyone else.
If the lights are working fine, is there a way to turn off the message?
I am going to buy all new bulbs to see if that helps, hopefully it does.
You bumped my year and a half old thread??? :nixweiss:Comment
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my blacked out tail lights are doin it too, all the bulbs are good, but im guna try replacing all of them soon alsoComment
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