[AlpinaB3]

Hi F30Post-ers,

I'm a fresh f30 owner. I came from a 2003 BMW 325i and made the leap in to a new (to me) F30 328i. Some family friends were at the end of their lease, and gave me the opportunity to buy it out from them so I did! I did the usual background check on the car and discovered no accidents. It's a 2012 with only 35,000 kilometres on it. Now recently a friend pointed out to me that my turn indicators in the mirrors aren't working, right or left. It's a Canadian market vehicle, if that makes any difference. I don't remember ever seeing them work, is this something that is coded? Or is this a common issue? I've looked around and saw that sometimes water can get in the housing a kill the LED. But it seems suspicious both would be out.

[TheBingoBalls]

Wait, what? BMWs have turn indicators?



All jokes aside, if the actual bulb is out or faulty, you should get a fault indication. Do the signals in the dash light up?

[AlpinaB3]

No dash codes. The indicators in the headlights, and the taillights work just fine, its only the ones in my mirror that seem to be an issue. Unfortunately I happen to live about an hour out from the nearest BMW dealership. If I can't figure it out by the weekend I'll probably head out there and get it properly diagnosed

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by AlpinaB3

No dash codes. The indicators in the headlights, and the taillights work just fine, its only the ones in my mirror that seem to be an issue. Unfortunately I happen to live about an hour out from the nearest BMW dealership. If I can't figure it out by the weekend I'll probably head out there and get it properly diagnosed

If you are out of warranty, why are you going to drive an hour to get ripped off by the dealer? bring it to a local shop.

[uncleruckus]

What are turn indicators ? I didnt even know my left hand stalk moved up and down

If it's not under warranty, definitely take it to an Indy shop. There should be bunch of Indy shops that specialize in BMW/German cars in Vancouver

[Kashington]

Take to a local Indy shop or mechanic - no need to get ripped at the dealer.

[mr_kay]

Apparently this is a common issue. My passenger side one doesn't work. It's actually an LED that lights up a fiber optic cable so you have to change the entire piece, not just the LED. I did this and it still didn't work. A friend who is a BMW tech told me usually it a faulty mirror wire harness...it doesn't bother me at all so I left it alone.

[AlpinaB3]

Originally Posted by tex2670

If you are out of warranty, why are you going to drive an hour to get ripped off by the dealer? bring it to a local shop.

Unfortunately the nearest BMW shop/euro shop is still over an hour away. Canada is basically a big waste land with massive gaps between towns. I think I'll try buying new indicators and installing them myself, I used to have an e46 so I'm pretty good with DIY garage work! I don't live in Vancouver, but an hour outside of it in a town called Rosedale

Also, I have a third party warranty that only covers my drive train

[AlpinaB3]

UPDATE:

So after spending a weekend tearing both mirrors apart and using a multimeter I have found that the wiring harnesses are supplying both mirrors' turn signals with power, but it seems that either the plugs (Which are weather sealed), or the signal light units are the issue.

I suspect it's the latter of the two and replacement signals will be $59,95 each.

ALSO I noticed an LCI model F30 with its mirror signal out driving home last week

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by AlpinaB3

the plugs... are weather sealed

Probably not well enough. Open them up, make sure they're not corroded. IMO every electrical connection that's not inside the cabin should be sealed with dielectric grease to prevent any possibility of corrosion.

[mr_kay]

Originally Posted by AlpinaB3

UPDATE:

So after spending a weekend tearing both mirrors apart and using a multimeter I have found that the wiring harnesses are supplying both mirrors' turn signals with power, but it seems that either the plugs (Which are weather sealed), or the signal light units are the issue.

I suspect it's the latter of the two and replacement signals will be $59,95 each.

ALSO I noticed an LCI model F30 with its mirror signal out driving home last week

Where did you test the power? Is there a harness that goes specifically to the mirror turn signal? Any specific pins to test? I have to do the same on one of mine. I changed the light fixture already and it didn't solve the issue.