Map and boot lights not working

[BEN99W]

Hi

Ive recently taken ownership of a lovely 2006 3.0Si Roadster. Im in New Zealand and this was originally a Japanese car. It's in remarkably fine fettle for an 18 year old, but as with any used car, there are always some niggles to iron out. In my case, the map lights on both sides and the boot light are not working. The bulbs had previously been swapped out for LED bulbs. Ive checked fuses (10,12 and 26 IIRC) and all are intact, and Ive tried swapping the LEDs to normal bulbs without solving the problem. Checking the LEDs they still work. The footwell lights had been swapped to LEDs and they still work (one didn't but it turned out not to be connected). The main interior light hadn't been replaced with an LED and it still works. Also plugged my basic code reader in and no fault codes found.

Can anyone give me a steer - Ive only had experience of older Beemers in the past and I suspect his may be a little more complicated.

Thanks

Ben

 

[BumpyZ4]

The two map lights and the boot light gets it power from the GM5 on the same wire. Either the GM5 is bad, or the power wire is broken. The map lights and boot light have separate grounds, so I doubt it is a grounding problem. I would check power coming out of the GM5 @ pin 3, connector X332, if you have no power at pin 3 your GM5 is bad.

Does your center console compartment light work? That gets its power from the same pin on the GM5.

 

[BEN99W]

Thanks for this. Looks like it could well be the problem. The light in the passenger footwell had been disconnected, suggesting that someone had taken a look at the GM5 (if I am correct in assuming it sits below the fuse box). Whoever it was must have decided it would too costly to fix as the boot light had been replaced by a small rechargeable light activated unit. Do LEDs tend to damage GM5s or are they just prone to failure? Is repair worth considering or is it better to bite the bullet and buy a new one?

 

[BumpyZ4]

No. I've had LED's in mine for several years with no issues. There are several people that repair GM5 modules, search the forums. A used replacement GM5 module is cheap and is plug and play.

 

[enuff_zed]

No. I've had LED's in mine for several years with no issues. There are several people that repair GM5 modules, search the forums. A used replacement GM5 module is cheap and is plug and play.

Almost plug and play. You do of course need to code your keys to it, but that's easy.

 

[BEN99W]

Thanks all, is the GM5 specific to the E85, or can one from other models be used?

 

[enuff_zed]

Thanks all, is the GM5 specific to the E85, or can one from other models be used?

I believe the internals are similar to other models but the box it all fits in is unique to the E85.
You also need to determine if you have a '5RD' or a 'Star 12 Low'.