Brake light circuit warning

[Apache]

Anyone know why I keep getting this? no issues with the lights, all contacts are clean and good. Would removing a spoiler with leds cause this?

[BliarOut]

Possibly, the circuit measures the resistance to spot bulb failure. You can pop a resistor somewhere inline if you want to restore the original values.

[Apache]

Didn't think Leds would have any

[BliarOut]

It's very sensitive, I had to change my bulbs as it didn't like a certain brand even though they were working perfectly.

[Apache]

blimey

[4rephill]

BRAKE LIGHT CIRCUIT FAILURE is most likely due to the switch on the brake pedal being faulty, a common problem on some BMW's.

It could also be that the fuse has blown or there is another issue with the circuit but I'd look at the brake switch first.

Another possible problem is chaffing of the cables inside the plastic sleeve where the rear light wiring is strapped to the boot hinge. Over time, the opening and closing of the boots causes the wires to rub together, wearing away their insulation and causing them to short out.
BE AWARE: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN WORSE CASE SCENARIO'S!


Bulb issues tend to bring up either: BRAKE LIGHTS FAILURE if both bulbs have failed or: BRAKE LIGHT FAIL if one bulb has blown.

[Apache]

cheers, there is no wiring in the boot, I took the spoiler off some time ago and the brake lights work as normal

[4rephill]

Apache said:

cheers, there is no wiring in the boot

If it's an E36, check the passengers side boot hinge bracket, there should be a black plastic sleeve clipped onto it which is the wiring.

Apache said:

I took the spoiler off some time ago and the brake lights work as normal

If they did your LED spoiler the same way as mine was done then check to see if your third brake light on the rear parcel shelf is working.

On mine, they took the parcel shelf brake light out of the system and used it's wiring to power the LED boot spoiler.
If the parcel shelf brake light is not working then the system could be sensing it and bringing it up as a fault on the OBC.
(On mine the LED spoiler acts as a replacement for the third brake light bulb so the system does not raise any warning on the OBC).

If the shelf mounted brake light is working then I'd have to suspect the brake light switch on the brake pedal.