1998 E36 328i se 'Brake Light Circuit' Warning

[Cornishpasty]

Hi all,

Bit of advice would be appreciated, if anyone can help please? My '98 328i se saloon started having the 'Check Control' light on the dash flashing and on the control it said 'Brake Light circuit' then 'check owners manual' repeating. I checked the brake lights and the high level one (the one in the back window) wasnt working. I got a new bulb yesterday and fitted it and all seemed fine. Just been out in her today and the same thing is happening, I've checked the break lights and they all seem to be working ok. Bit lost on what to do now

Thanks
Lee

[Ferret]

Brake light circuit means the switch on the brake pedal has gone.

And when you check the lights, and they're working, it means you have an intermittent fault.

Time for a new switch.

[Cornishpasty]

Thanks Ferret,
what kind of a job is it? and tbh I've never heard of the part, will it be easy to get hold of or a right pain? Sorry for more questions mate

[Kevin Whittaker]

1996 E36 m3 Evo- braking circuit fault but.........

Only takes about half an hour from start to finish....
£12 from Euro car parts

[Mazdo]

I'm getting this on the odd occasion myself, I'll be checking this out tonight.

Not sure about where to get the part from cheapest but here's a guide:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/tech...ake_Switch.htm

Edit: Kevin beat me to it...

[TheEnd]

There is a double switch at the pedal. You can buy them from GSF, eurocar parts etc, but make sure you get the check control, 4 pin version.

One switch puts the lights on, the other tells the check control to see if they are working.
When the check control side fails, the check control thinks the lights have come on by themselves, so you get the error.

[Cornishpasty]

Many Thanks Guys!!!! For once I'm supprised how cheap and easy it is to fix (first and last I guess!!! lol) Will get it ordered this afternoon!!!

[Kevin Whittaker]

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/BM...c77e92c0c&BLSW

This is the one I got for mine, has the four wires on it.... No error message since I fitted it more than two weeks ago

[Cornishpasty]

Thanks everyone for all the help, part is now ordered and will be trying to fit when it arrives!!!!