E36 M3 indicator and side light fault

[gruffalo]

Hi good people I am after a bit of assistance if possible.

A mate has a 3 Litre E36 M3 and his car has an interesting lighting issue that just started.

If you turn the side lights on then the near side indicators also illuminate. if you turn the near side indicators on with out the side lights being turned on then the side light flashes with the indicator.

The off side works correctly until you turn the lights on at which point the offside indicators cease to function at all.

Could this be an issue with the dashboard computer that would normally tell you that a bulb has failed? The reason why I ask is that this unit appears to be dead or at least the display is.

All wiring checks out, all earths OK.

Any one else come across this?

[E-bmw]

You say all earths & wiring check out, check out how?

What you describe sounds 100% like an earthing issue, and would have me fitting a temporary earth on a crocodile clip to a separate earth point to check it.

[pvogue]

Do all the headlights work? I know BMW had some safety feature that would put on the indicators if there was a bulb out. Also do they have original bulbs and not some aftermarket LED ones?

[gruffalo]

pvogue said:

Do all the headlights work? I know BMW had some safety feature that would put on the indicators if there was a bulb out. Also do they have original bulbs and not some aftermarket LED ones?

All bulbs replaced for this very reason, all earths checked from each blob holder to the negative connector on the battery.

The safety feature is what I think is the cause hence rpthe question about the unit that displays the bulb failure warning, is that the unit that turns on the indicators as a safety system and could it be doing it erroneously?

[pvogue]

gruffalo said:

All bulbs replaced for this very reason, all earths checked from each blob holder to the negative connector on the battery.

The safety feature is what I think is the cause hence rpthe question about the unit that displays the bulb failure warning, is that the unit that turns on the indicators as a safety system and could it be doing it erroneously?

I don't know if that unit can do that or that it just tells you there is an issue, have you checked the obc fuses (23, 31 & 45)?

Also since its not working maybe trying the brake light switch?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6Y8zzu48jM

Edited by pvogue on Monday 21st January 18:59

[gruffalo]

Thanks, will check those fuses at the weekend.

Brake lights working fine, exactly as they should.