Lights failure BMW X3 1.9 Diesel

[DodgySailor]

Dear all, my BMW X3 has develop this intermittent fault on the lights (see pictures). Mechanic did reset the system and the fault disappeared but it is back again and it looks like the brakes and the indicators do not work from time to time. Is this something easy to fix that I can attempt or is it a case of going back to the garage?
Thanks for any advice!

 

[jj4091]

Do you only notice it when the ignition is turned on at engine start or does it have a start button

 

[accelerator]

Have you done the basics like check bulbs, connections and fuses?

Have you checked your car's user manual?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Check for corrosion on connectors, leading to the lights.

 

[DodgySailor]

Do you only notice it when the ignition is turned on at engine start or does it have a start button

It happened while driving back home quite randomly. Can a faulty bulb or fuse be the problem? If so it should not be intermittent right?

 

[DodgySailor]

Have you done the basics like check bulbs, connections and fuses?

Have you checked your car's user manual?

I have not (I do not have it although I assume it can be found online)

 

[accelerator]

First thing I'd check is are the connections to the lights seated securely, and are the bulbs seated securely within the lights.

It could also be wiring damage, e.g. something might have melted a wire. Check the integrity of lighting wires.

 

[accelerator]

Go to:

Microsoft Copilot: Your AI companion

Microsoft Copilot is your companion to inform, entertain and inspire. Get advice, feedback and straightforward answers. Try Copilot now.

copilot.microsoft.com

Paste in this:

What is the cause of this error on the BMW X3? "Control lights, turn indicator, brake light, dipped beam or other lighting functions faulty. Stop vehicle, check and continue journey cautiously if appropriate."

and you will get more things to look at.

Have you changed any bulbs recently? Apparently BMWs are sensitive to aftermarket parts and these may cause the error.

 

[DodgySailor]

I checked the bulbs and they look OK. But thanks for all advice anyway.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I checked the bulbs and they look OK. But thanks for all advice anyway.

Looking OK, is not enough. Poor contact of the bulb to the bulb holder, or bulb holder to earth, or any less than perfect connection, anywhere in the loom feeding those lights - can trigger the warning. Resetting it doesn't really help, the problem causing the warning, needs to be tracked down.

The diagnostic technique, beginning with the warning off, is - ignition on, all those mentioned lights on, with someone watching the dash display. You go around the car, tapping and thumping around the lights, waggling wiring about, until the warning shows up - then you have likely found the problem. Repeat the process, concentrating on confirming exactly where the fault showed up last time.

 

[DodgySailor]

Thanks, I did this and now the right indicator turns the left beam on and off which is quite weird. I do not think this can be caused by a bad connection at all! In any case I do not think it is fixable by me so I have an appointment with the garage.... thanks anyway

 

[accelerator]

Did you try Copilot like I mentioned?

It could be you have the incorrect bulbs, and it could be that you need a new battery.

 

[DodgySailor]

Did you try Copilot like I mentioned?

It could be you have the incorrect bulbs, and it could be that you need a new battery.

Yes but to no avail. Checked the bulb, fuses....if there is a cable corroded somewhere is going to be hard to find

 

[carmanmemoranda]

Were any bulbs changed shortly before you had the 1st message ?