Bulb warning light - Latest update

[Marlon]

A few days ago a dashboard bulb warning light came on intermittently, and now it’s on permanently (EDIT: it actually only comes on when I indicate right - and then stays on). Also the right indicators started flashing very fast.

I realised that the front indicators have 2 bulbs in each cluster and it was the drivers side right one that was out - highlighted in white below:

So I bought a new bulb and fitted it, but I’m still getting the same warnings?

To make sure it wasn’t a faulty bulb I swapped the working bulb on the left side of the indicator cluster to the right side, but it still gives the same warnings.

As a final check I put the original ‘faulty’ bulb into the left side of the indicator cluster and it worked!

I have run a diagnostic check and there are no DTC codes.

I’ve spent all bloody afternoon on this and got nowhere

Any ideas would be much appreciated.

EDIT:

Prior to the warnings I had fitted LED side light bulbs. When I started getting the warnings I replaced the LEDs with the original standard bulbs. I read somewhere that LEDs can mess up the control module

 

[biojo]

Turn off all lights , then when you first turn car on is the bulb warning light on?

Then turn on one thing at a time, and wait few secs and see when the light comes on

Thats how i normally find which circuit its on

 

[Number5]

Turn off all lights , then when you first turn car on is the bulb warning light on?

Then turn on one thing at a time, and wait few secs and see when the light comes on

Thats how i normally find which circuit its on

This is exactly what I did a few days ago and it was a rear fog light lamp.
To clear it I had to turn off the lights and the ignition. It then only appeared when I put the fog lights on, so I would imagine its the same with yours Marlon, that you shouldnt get an error until you indicate ?
(Make sure you haven't got your headlights on auto whilst you're testing too)

 

[Marlon]

Hi fellas,
ok so I just went out and did as you suggested.
The dashboard warning blub light only comes on when I indicate right.
The right side of the indicator cluster does not flash - but as mentioned above the bulb is fine.

I'm beginning to think that the LEDs I tried (and then swapped out) have screwed up the control module.

 

[Number5]

Have you tried putting in all of the original/good bulbs ( excluding the LEDs), then disconnecting the battery for a minute or so and then re-applying the juice ? May be a reset will clear it ?

If thats doesn't work, I think you'll have to just go through the procerss you just tried, but changing one bulb at a time.

I dont know if its possible that the bulb can still visibly work, but give a bad resistance reading, thus upsetting the system. However it definitely sounds as thouhg one of those right hand indicator bulbs isn't happy.

 

[biojo]

so one works and other doesnt?

could you have damaged the cable or connector?

 

[Marlon]

Number5: I have replaced the LEDs with the original bulbs. I will try disconnecting the battery.

biojo: Yes thats right, one works and the other doesn't - even if I swap the bulbs, it makes no difference. So yeah, its possibly a connector issue.

 

[Number5]

Possibly one of the contacts in the bulb holder at the faulty location.

These cars are weird... My recent faulty bulb was in the right hand rear fog lamp. However, although it didn't illuminate, there was a 'spare' bulb in the left hand side. I therefore pinched it and put it in the right hand side and it illuminated, yet the warning was still there.
I bought another bulb and inserted it into the left hand side. Turned lights off then on and the warning disappeared (still doesn't illuminate the Left hand side, but it seemed to want it there). It's almost as though it isn't happy unless it knows you're carrying a spare bulb on the left !

 

[Z4MO]

I got my car back from Insp 2 and it has the same light on. Spoke to indy and he says the holder needs renewing as I'd asked for new bulbs in the front indicators.

 

[biojo]

never had mine out, but can you swap the whole plug and see if it moves

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw-parts/bulb-socket/63127158748/

this might sound daft, but if u put hazzards on does it work

 

[Marlon]

never had mine out, but can you swap the whole plug and see if it moves

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw-parts/bulb-socket/63127158748/

this might sound daft, but if u put hazzards on does it work

I did that this afternoon - I swapped both plugs and the problem is still on the right side only. its looking like a bad connection in the housing.

I just tried the hazards and the bulb warning light does not come on and the hazards flash at normal speed. However, the right side of the inticator light still doesn't flash.

 

[Marlon]

Yeah - Number5 & Z4MO - It's looking to me like a bad contact in the bulb holder

 

[Confused®]

Try Cleaning the terminals with wire wool, see if its a connection problem.

 

[Marlon]

Try Cleaning the terminals with wire wool, see if its a connection problem.

I can't get to them - its one of those ridiculous bulb sockets that are virtually inaccessible, I'm having to work blind using a long screwdriver just to get the bulb in and out.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Sounds like bumper off and headlamp out mate. Not sure if you can get connectors singly but the wire ends should just clip in.

 

[Marlon]

Right - Marvellous, I will live with it for a while until I decide what to do - may have to get my Indy to look at it.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

You can try fiddling about in there but you really need to get the headlamp off to see what's going on. Not the hardest of jobs - clips on the side can be a pain. If you have washers you can just drop the bumper to the floor without needing to detach completely. You don't even need to lift the car.

 

[Number5]

The bumper isn't hard to remove if you've got the space to do it. It will also give you chance to pop a couple of small 3mm holes in your Fog lamps, if they are misting up, and have a good clean around whist you're in there ?
Its much easier to test all the lamps when they're just hanging on a wire...

 

[Marlon]

Yeah, I hear what your saying fellas, but I'm lacking the space and the ability :lol:

 

[Marlon]

At the risk of boring everyone to death, here's an update:

So we went out yesterday for the afternoon to the Lakes and had no warning light on the dash - I pulled over and checked the indicator and the bulb was working! It kept on working all the way to Keswick over an hour and a half drive. Then after lunch on the way to Windermere I indicated right and the warning light appeared and the indicator flashed rapidly

Then 5 minutes later it was working again - then it wasn't, then it was. So basically its an intermittent problem - don't you just love those

It didn't spoil the drive though - loved it, and weather was perfect (will post some pics in the gallery later this evening)