[Smoulder20]

Hi,

I had an intermittent fault with rear left indicator brake light. I found the earth had burnt out so replaced the pin and socket. The fault warning went away all other lights work except the indicator. When the hazards are on they flash on the dash normally but when you click the left indicator it flashes rapidly. The mirror and front on the left side work just not the rear. Any ideas? Checked all 4 fuses and replaced bulb.

Thanks

[3-GT]

I'd guess it's still a bad earth. Have you checked the pins in the bulb holder or replaced the holder?

Sounds like it works on hazards because its utilising the earth from the other lights in the system to complete the circuit.

If you have a multimeter try testing at the plug if it's earthed. Then check from the bulb holder.

If you don't have a multimeter try earthing the holder to the car body directly with a spare piece of cable just to try.

[Smoulder20]

Thanks for your response 3-GT, yes I have replaced the holder and the pin/plug. It's so frustrating, I've read alot of posts about a bad earth on the 3 series. I cannot find any breaks in the earth cable. I connected a multimeter to the earth and the indicator and got a reading of 0.05??

[Smoulder20]

Another thing I have read is something about resetting the the short circuit but I would of thought it would shut down all power to the entire light?

[martin10chk]

Originally Posted by Smoulder20

Another thing I have read is something about resetting the the short circuit but I would of thought it would shut down all power to the entire light?

If the bulb illuminates under some circumstances (and from what you say it does with the hazards on) there has to be continuity between the bulb filament and earth. So there is an adequate earth connection. That says that power is not supplied when you use the indicator. Since these things are now all controlled by electronic modules that must mean there is a fault condition. The module having detected a problem may have disabled the indicator power to that bulb (although strangely not the hazard power - can't fathom that). But it sounds like it needs to be plugged into diagnostics and the fault condition needs to be cleared.

[Smoulder20]

Ahh ok thank you. The indicator bulb on the left doesnt light up at all when the hazards are on, sorry what i meant was the dash light arrows flicker normally and not rapidly when the hazards are on.

[Smoulder20]

Would Bimmerlink work to clear the condition?

[Smoulder20]

All sorted it did need a reset. Thank you for your help

[3-GT]

Good stuff. Nice easy fix is always nice.