[Phiberoptik]

Anybody know what the dealership will charge for labor to replace the socket and wiring harness?

[Covfefe]

Originally Posted by Phiberoptik

Anybody know what the dealership will charge for labor to replace the socket and wiring harness?

Dealer just quoted me $750 to fix one citing that the whole unit needed to be replaced. Not happy. Mine is a 2014 with only 36k miles, so outside the year limit and well within the 75k mile warranty. I'm calling BMW to hopefully get a goodwill repair because that's bonkers for a part they admit is defective.

[p912guy]

Originally Posted by Covfefe

Dealer just quoted me $750 to fix one citing that the whole unit needed to be replaced. Not happy. Mine is a 2014 with only 36k miles, so outside the year limit and well within the 75k mile warranty. I'm calling BMW to hopefully get a goodwill repair because that's bonkers for a part they admit is defective.

See my post from November. According to my dealer, BMW extended the warranty on this to 100K miles. I don't think your dealer's service department is up to speed on this. Below is the note which was on my service receipt. Possibly it might help.

c/s rear brake light malfunction notification. Please checkand
advise.
Cause: Refer to SIB630517
Correction: Connected battery charger and performed a vehicle test.Found faults stored for
brake light malfunction. Removed LHand RH taillamps to inspect bulbs and carriers.
Foundcarriers worn and outdated. Performed retrofit of newcarriers and ground contacts.Refer
to SIB630517DC-6321901100LO-00 64 279LA-11FRUReplace both bulb supports and retrofit
grounding cables onboth rear lights

[HootisTigglebits]

I have a 2016 m235i and it just started doing this. Upon removing my tails I noticed the right side has the updated socket housing and ground wire fix, but the left side does not so it looks like I need to just repair that right tail light. I’ll be performing this repair by myself so will I need is the updated socket housing and the plug? I have the aluminum connectors and wiring already.

[Mark.h]

Me and my buddy did a diy fix on this. Cut the existing ground wire from the connector to bypass the bad connection. Soldered on additional ground wire and ran it through to the inside of the twilight and soldered it directly onto the ground on the inside. Drilled a small hole in the plastic to run the ground wire through.

[HootisTigglebits]

Any pictures? Is it okay to drive the car while having this problem?

[Mark.h]

I'll try to try to get some pictures soon I forgot to take pictures while I was doing it. As far as I know there are no problems driving the car like this. For me some lights still worked. I could use brakes or turn signal but not at the same time. Using both at the same time was too much for the bad ground to handle then it would trip the warning on the dash.

[TonM3]

When did they start addressing this from the factory?

[caycep]

Apparently it's a TSB so they should cover it? My dealer did.

I just had 1 side done. The indie shop I went to did mention sometimes this takes some of the load off of the other side so the other one may not burn out...not entirely sure if this is true or both lights are on 1 circuit but who knows

[HootisTigglebits]

So if I’m getting that message and have one tail light already fixed does that for sure mean the other tail light ground is the issue? Is it safe on the electronics to continue to drive the car with this issue?

[MLJR235]

Originally Posted by HootisTigglebits

So if I’m getting that message and have one tail light already fixed does that for sure mean the other tail light ground is the issue? Is it safe on the electronics to continue to drive the car with this issue?

Pull the connector plug off on the assembly that does NOT have the ground upgrade. I can almost guarantee you will have a burnt-looking ground pin.

If you are getting error codes already one or more of your tail light bulbs is not lighting up as it should. You decide how long you want to go with a light randomly working or not... Don't wait on it too long though as you may fry your connecting pins to the point of the return meaning you will have to re-pin the connector too.

See poochie's POST #3 here for part#'s as you will need on new circuit board with ground plug for you old style tailight assembly;
https://www.2addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1663556

You will also need Part 61-12-2-448 "Repair Cable Tail harness" . This will plug into the new circuit board plug and you will have to splice and attach the tails into the oem wiring.

This should take care of your error codes going forward. The fix isn't tough at all and you are looking at like $100 total for board and harness kit

[amnab]

My 2015 228 started having this issue last week and I'm getting delivery of the updated bulb socket holder and socket repair kit today. The only reference I have to do the repair is this video posted earlier on here

Does anyone have other sources for the DIY repair? I like to reference a couple at least.

[MLJR235]

Originally Posted by amnab

My 2015 228 started having this issue last week and I'm getting delivery of the updated bulb socket holder and socket repair kit today. The only reference I have to do the repair is this video posted earlier on here

Does anyone have other sources for the DIY repair? I like to reference a couple at least.

That video doe not use/ref. the new harness plug or socket holder board. Pleaes look through the entire thread in these 3 pages. Post #48 has great images of what the new harness plug + new board will look once the job is done. It's a pretty straight forward job if you are handly with simple electrical work (crimp, solder, heat wrapping etc etc) .

If you have specifics once you get started post them up, we'll help you out. I'm sure plenty guys are still around that did it themselve, me included.

[amnab]

Originally Posted by MLJR235

That video doe not use/ref. the new harness plug or socket holder board. Pleaes look through the entire thread in these 3 pages. Post #48 has great images of what the new harness plug + new board will look once the job is done. It's a pretty straight forward job if you are handly with simple electrical work (crimp, solder, heat wrapping etc etc) .

If you have specifics once you get started post them up, we'll help you out. I'm sure plenty guys are still around that did it themselve, me included.

Ok bear with me, I'm not familiar with this kind of stuff.

- Why does #1 in the photo have 2 ground wires? Are both supposed to be soldered/spliced onto the original ground wire?
- Is #2 in the photo just there in case the original ground wire needs replacement altogether?
-What are items #3 and #4 used for?

[MLJR235]

I only used the plug harness “#1” and the heat shrink wrap tube #3. I did not need to re-pin the connector as the pins were still okay. That’s what all that other stuff is for.

Here are a few pictures hopefully it clears it up for you

[stlb5]

Here was my thread on this issue:

Passenger Rear Tail Light Issues https://www.2addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1751428

[MaryK88]

I’m sorry for probably a silly question, but I know basically nothing about this stuff. I’m hoping a friend of mine can replace my light unit bc I am out of the warranty. I’m looking for the simplest way it can be done. If I were to purchase a whole new light unit what other items/ wiring harness would I need to wire it into the car?

Thank you all for your help
Mary

[John in VA]

Originally Posted by MaryK88

I’m sorry for probably a silly question, but I know basically nothing about this stuff. I’m hoping a friend of mine can replace my light unit bc I am out of the warranty. I’m looking for the simplest way it can be done. If I were to purchase a whole new light unit what other items/ wiring harness would I need to wire it into the car?

First you need someone to determine if your issue is with the wiring or bulb socket. If you read through the thread you'd know those parts are what are being replaced. There may be no need to spend big bucks for a light unit. Good luck getting your issue resolved!

[David B]

So, I purchased a new rear left taillight bulb board and it came with this pigtail. I’m assuming this is the grounding issue fix however where does the pigtail get connected to?

[David B]

Where did you purchase the connector labels “1”? I have the new taillight bulb assembly which came with the pigtail that attaches to the ground lug on the bulb side of the board. The other side has the female version of connector in #1.

[mb67]

This issue happened to my '15 228i convertible a couple of months ago and it was so annoying to get repaired.

[Matt1081199]

It appears that this issue may be starting to happen with my f30. I started getting the left break light malfunction error so I replaced the bulb and that worked for a few weeks until I got the same error again. I didn't notice any charring or burning on the wire harness so maybe this issue is just starting and hasn't completely burnt out my pins yet. I'm actually thinking about replacing my tail lights with led ones. Would I need to worry about this fix if I do that. I assume the led tail lights would draw much less current so maybe the ground cable would be sufficient for those. Can anyone confirm this?