BMW E36 M3 brake light switch replacement

A video showing how to replace the brake light switch in a BMW E36 era 3-series

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• BMW
• M3
• E36
• series
• brake
• light
• switch
• failure
• circuit
• OBC
• how
• to
• DIY

[jeff30458]

On my bmw the lights went one at a time and now none of them work. For the longest time, only the right side light worked(which was bad enough, should have fixed it then), but none of them work and I have to get something done. I've changed the bulbs and replaced the brake light fuse and still nothing. I'm wondering if the switch could be the problem or if its some kind of wiring issue as I'm also having a problem where the air conditioner will go on and off randomly(off most of the time).

[fiveightandten]

@jeff30458 - Open your trunk, and look on the left hand side. There are a number of wires bundled together and clipped to the trunk hinge. That bundle flexes every time the trunk opens and closes. The wires have been known to fray and break there. Carefully cut the outer sheath open with a razor and examine the insulated wires beneath it.

If there are frayed or broken wires, you can splice in new wire. Leaving damaged wire in there can be dangerous, as it can cause electrical fires.

[d712k]

hey thanx for the vid , i've changed the light switch, but i try to start the car and it just wont start, battery's good , everything lights us( i'm a newby in bmw world, ) so please help .

[fiveightandten]

d712k- I'm assuming the car is a manual. The clutch switch is on the same bracket as the brake light switch. If that switch isn't being actuated with the clutch pressed in, the car will not start. Check the connections on the clutch switch and make sure it's all intact, plugged in, and mounted correctly.

[uglyguitarman]

If I need a new switch will both lights not work? In my car (97 M3 coupe) only one doesn't work, it says brake light circuit, and most of the time it works but sometimes it doesn't. If it's not working and I turn of the car and turn it on again, it starts working again, I think.

[fiveightandten]

1) The lights will usually work fine unless the switch is completely dead.

2) The switch affects BOTH lights.

Open the trunk and pull the cover off the tail light you're having problems with. Take the bulbs out and re-seat them. Make sure all the contacts are good and none of the parts of the board are broken.

You can clean the contacts off with steel wool and use dielectric grease to prevent future corrosion.

[fiveightandten]

...and If you can afford to make un-researched generalizations about peoples' financial standing, why can't you afford a sniper rifle?

Wait, that sentence didn't make sense did it? Well, neither did yours, so I guess we're even.

[dahlcolor]

Just pull bracket off!!!!!!!!

[tugnut2]

I found it much easier to remove the whole brake light switch by removing the entire switch bracket. all you need is a 10mm socket or wrench to remove one bolt and the whole thing comes out where its much much easier to work on. There is no room for adjustment so you can't even mess it up when putting it back in. Just look for the attachment point for the bracket which is to the left and forward of the switch. Its really a piece of cake once removed.

[Mzandiotis]

i love working on my car in the dark

[Geoffreybeast2]

awesome vid, i would like to add if you dont want to break the switch, pull out button, it takes a bit of muscle or prying but button actually comes out more to make room for you to pull back red collar

[bthemedia]

YES it is a PITA to take out... lol! I was trying to do it "nicely" without breaking anything. =) I did troubleshoot and verify it is the switch that is broken by patching a piece of wire between the two wire leads and that short circuited the link to turn the brake lights on. Two other guys and myself tried for about 30+ minutes to remove it w/o having a new part to compare to. We did figure out rotating the red piece would let the tabs come in, but working underneath all that is a PITA!!! =)

[Rf15t5]

@fiveightandten

That for the video it help a lot

i just replaced my brake light switch on my E34 and yea you were right its a Bi**h to take out the old one. what i did i melted the brackets in the sides with a red hot screw driver. Went to my local bmw service place and paid $35 dollars for the part and now works perfect.

[SupaSix1]

HELP!!!

I have an E46 coupe - The 3rd brakelight (LED) on top is very very dull - Any advice pleeeeease??

Thanks.

[ShinjoNeo]

Thanks for the upload!