Rear indicator light failure

T

theLOLkid

Member
Last night while driving, I recieved a warning message about indicator light failure when indicating left.

I pulled over and examined the car. The rear left was not completely dead, but was dimmer and looked like it was struggling slightly.

Is this a case of replacing the bulb? I haven't done this before on a Z4, but I'm sure I could work it out.

That said, if it was the bulb, I would've expected it to die completely, so I'm a bit confused. This morning, when I was using the car, there were no complains about the indicator anymore, so I'm not sure what's going on.
 
theLOLkid said:
Last night while driving, I recieved a warning message about indicator light failure when indicating left.

I pulled over and examined the car. The rear left was not completely dead, but was dimmer and looked like it was struggling slightly.

Is this a case of replacing the bulb? I haven't done this before on a Z4, but I'm sure I could work it out.

That said, if it was the bulb, I would've expected it to die completely, so I'm a bit confused. This morning, when I was using the car, there were no complains about the indicator anymore, so I'm not sure what's going on.
Click to expand...

Hi,
sounds like it could be a bad connection in the wiring to the lamp or the bulb itself not installed properly or it could be the bulb !

Can't help you on how to change the bulb but it can't be that hard !
 
Indicator is LED and non replaceable. Check for water in the cluster, it's a known fault. Speak with a dealer IMHO.
 
Thanks guys - will give the dealer a call.

I'm now outside of warranty, which is frustrating.

Is this regarded as a 'known fault' which is likely to be covered outside of warranty by BMW?
 
theLOLkid said:
Thanks guys - will give the dealer a call.

I'm now outside of warranty, which is frustrating.

Is this regarded as a 'known fault' which is likely to be covered outside of warranty by BMW?
Click to expand...

Results differ but press them if they refuse. Ask for BMW goodwill as you know others that have suffered the same fault (I'm on my FOURTH set!)
 
Maniac said:
Results differ but press them if they refuse. Ask for BMW goodwill as you know others that have suffered the same fault (I'm on my FOURTH set!)
Click to expand...

I'm getting a warranty at the end of the manufacturers warranty! :)
 
Maniac said:
That doesn't cover the lights if it's water ingress. They find all sorts of ways out of paying.
Click to expand...

Wriggle wriggle! (bandits)

Could you not argue - "Replace the seal that should prevent water ingress" ?
 
Visited my dealer this morning.

I explained that I wanted the fault examined and wanted to pursue BMW for a 'good will' fix due to the car only having 20k miles, the indicator not being damaged in terms of a bump, it not supposed to be a serviceable part, and it being a common fault among E89 owners.

They said that, with it being out of warranty, they wanted £85 to even do an inspection of the car before they would forward my claim to BMW. I argued that £80 to tell me what I already know (that the indicator has water ingress) was ridiculous. They agreed to inspect it at their 'half hour' rate - £40, which I reluctantly accepted.

They have 'verified' that there is water ingress in the left rear indicator and said that the whole unit needs replaced at a cost of £381 inc VAT.

I asked them to pursue BMW and they've basically said that I need to pursue it myself and have given a phone number, which I am about to call.

Has anyone had any success pursuing BMW on this fault on a car that is out of warranty? If the BMW 'good will' doesn't go through, I'll just take it to my local BMW independent garage for a quote. I suspect that this can be fixed by drying out the light fitting and re-sealing it and I believe that paying £381 to replace a malfunctioning indicator light quite ridiculous.
 
My last set was replaced out of warranty (well, I have insured warranty but they declined to accept the lamp as qualifying for that insured warranty). After a complaint to BMW UK they replaced both units given a) I have warranty of some sort even if this claim doesn't qualify and b) that I'd already had issues with the lamp clusters.

BMW UK will state that every enquiry is done on its own merit, but I think you should stand your ground, without being threatening or aggressive, just be assertive on how disappointed you are, love the BMW brand etc...
 
Maniac said:
My last set was replaced out of warranty (well, I have insured warranty but they declined to accept the lamp as qualifying for that insured warranty). After a complaint to BMW UK they replaced both units given a) I have warranty of some sort even if this claim doesn't qualify and b) that I'd already had issues with the lamp clusters.

BMW UK will state that every enquiry is done on its own merit, but I think you should stand your ground, without being threatening or aggressive, just be assertive on how disappointed you are, love the BMW brand etc...
Click to expand...


Are BMW parts fitted not covered by a warranty on the individual part (2 years I thought) so if the vehicle is out of warranty then any part fitted is covered by its individual 'part' warranty.
 
AlanJ said:
Maniac said:
My last set was replaced out of warranty (well, I have insured warranty but they declined to accept the lamp as qualifying for that insured warranty). After a complaint to BMW UK they replaced both units given a) I have warranty of some sort even if this claim doesn't qualify and b) that I'd already had issues with the lamp clusters.

BMW UK will state that every enquiry is done on its own merit, but I think you should stand your ground, without being threatening or aggressive, just be assertive on how disappointed you are, love the BMW brand etc...
Click to expand...


Are BMW parts fitted not covered by a warranty on the individual part (2 years I thought) so if the vehicle is out of warranty then any part fitted is covered by its individual 'part' warranty.
Click to expand...
True- my indy told me bmw parts are guaranteed for 2 years even if they fit them.
 
AlanJ said:
Maniac said:
My last set was replaced out of warranty (well, I have insured warranty but they declined to accept the lamp as qualifying for that insured warranty). After a complaint to BMW UK they replaced both units given a) I have warranty of some sort even if this claim doesn't qualify and b) that I'd already had issues with the lamp clusters.

BMW UK will state that every enquiry is done on its own merit, but I think you should stand your ground, without being threatening or aggressive, just be assertive on how disappointed you are, love the BMW brand etc...
Click to expand...


Are BMW parts fitted not covered by a warranty on the individual part (2 years I thought) so if the vehicle is out of warranty then any part fitted is covered by its individual 'part' warranty.
Click to expand...

On a new car warranty (first three years) you can get almost whatever you want replaced without much quibble.

If you BUY the parts, they have warranty, if they are fitted by the dealer as a gesture of goodwill outside warranty thee part has no warranty according to my dealer.
 
BMW customer service told me to go back to the dealer and get them to submit my claim.

Feel like I'm being passed around...

Will keep you updated. I intend to pursue this as far as I can.
 
I have spoken to the dealer and they are now chasing my claim - so I will wait and hear what happens.

Preparing myself for the event that BMW do not complete the work, I have been looking at the part on RealOEM.com:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=LM32&mospid=51401&btnr=63_1149&hg=63&fg=20

"Tail light, left" has part number "63217191775". It can be obtained new for about £200 online. I suspect that the part could probably be fitted as a DIY job, but I'd rather not go there...
 
Has the part totally failed, or has it been dried out.
My rear indicator failed with rapid flashing of the side and front indicator with water sloshing around the bottom of lense, but it did work again after I removed it and dried out. Then sealed with silicon sealant.
Unfortunately this part is the Achilles heel of this car.
 
flybobbie: Thanks for replying. The part is not completely dead - it varies between fully working and flashing quicker / less brightly.

If I felt like I could temporarily fix the issue by removing it, letting it dry out and then refitting it, I would.

Are you able to detail the steps involved in removing the part?
 
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