Check Tail Lights/ Brake Lights Light

[E30smity]

Okay, so my little check brake lights and/or check tail lights lights come on randomly sometimes.

I can be just sitting at a light, or driving, doesn't really matter...they just come on, I hit the check button, but they stay on. I've checked the lights themselves and they work fine.

Whats up with this? Just a minor annoyance.

 

[Big Daddy]

Make sure the lamps are silver based and not brass as the brass cause electrical issues in BMW's.

 

[jrt67ss350]

Just go ahead and replace both rear brake light bulbs (with Sylvania bulbs with the silver base as Big Daddy suggested) and the center high mounted stoplight bulb. I have found that as the bulbs age, their resistance changes enough to trigger the lamp fault relay and give you the warning light even though the lights still work. The brakelight check circuit is very finicky with bulb resistance.

If that doesn't take care of it, make sure all bulb electrical connections are clean and without corrosion (including the wire harness connectors in the CHMSL housing). Another possible culprit is the brake light switch itself.

 

[E30smity]

Thanks guys....will do suggested items!