Author Topic: Help! Dash-lights, sidemarkers and more out! (Read 4790 times)

Nivola · « **on:** May 15, 2008, 11:52:23 PM »

Well, here's an interesting one.

At night, my headlights (low and high) work, my dash idiot lights work, turn signal lights, blue high-beam light, window switch and interior/glove compartment lights work, but...

Any interior lights that should come on when the headlights are on (e.g. orange dash lights, A/C lights, OBC lights) do not come on, and all my side marker lights are out and the passenger side front turn signal is out and passenger rear brake light is out.

This all happened at once. All of the dash items/switches work, there is just no lighting at night.:confused:

I've checked the fuses and can't find any that are out.

Ideas???

haledj · « **Reply #1 on:** May 15, 2008, 11:59:43 PM »

Idea: broken headlight switch, because it controls the dimness of the lights

Nivola · « **Reply #2 on:** May 16, 2008, 01:09:18 AM »

I'll try checking the headlight switch...

I did a complete re-check of the fuses, and found #23 7.5A burnt, which controls all the lights which are currently out for me. Each time I tried replacing the #23 fuse, the new fuse would burn out.

I tried checking all the lights (corner lights, etc.) for burnt bulbs, twisted lines but could find nothing. I even tried larger fuses (just for the heck of it) up to 20A, and they all burnt out.

I've had no issues with my lights before.

Royalratch · « **Reply #3 on:** May 16, 2008, 08:21:43 AM »

Deffo check the headlight switch assembly and wires connecting to it is they're shorting somewhere.

Also check the bulbs and contact socket for the exterior lights in question.

Cobra Jet · « **Reply #4 on:** May 16, 2008, 09:43:26 AM »

sounds like a hot wire within a harness (or as stated above, the headlight switch) is either touching something metal or is touching another contact point (such as another wire) and shorting out. No matter how many fuses you install, they're going to blow until the problem is located & fixed.

Nivola · « **Reply #5 on:** May 16, 2008, 11:36:26 AM »

Quote from: Cobra Jet;49497

sounds like a hot wire within a harness (or as stated above, the headlight switch) is either touching something metal or is touching another contact point (such as another wire) and shorting out. No matter how many fuses you install, they're going to blow until the problem is located & fixed.

I've printed out the #23 fuse / switch routing details and will be searching along the effected locations splices. I have my suspicions that this may be near the center console, around my AKG shifter plate, which may be pinching some wires, but I'm not certain if they are tied into the #23 fuse.

BMWManiac · « **Reply #6 on:** June 18, 2008, 10:46:36 PM »

I have the same problem....I was messing with the wires in the HVAC area when my Tach and all the interior lights went out. Replaced fuse #21 and now my tach works, but the lights still don't....

Nivola · « **Reply #7 on:** June 18, 2008, 11:33:52 PM »

My issue turned out to be pinched wires grounding out near my AKG shift plate; fixing that and a new fuse and I was all fixed.

BMWManiac · « **Reply #8 on:** June 19, 2008, 06:39:43 AM »

BMWManiac · « **Reply #9 on:** June 20, 2008, 11:07:17 PM »

I drove home tonight without any lights, except my window switches had lights?

Nivola · « **Reply #10 on:** June 21, 2008, 01:22:14 PM »

Quote from: BMWManiac;51578

Akg?

AKG Motorsport

BMWManiac · « **Reply #11 on:** August 04, 2008, 01:40:47 PM »

I still haven't fixed the problem and it is really the only thing that needs to be addressed right now. So, perhaps some more info for the m42 forum crowd....

I noticed that when I pull the light knob, the clock in my 6 button OBC goes very, very dim to where I can't see it at night. It is completely bright with the button pushed in like normal, so there is something going on. Almost makes me think that the lights are coming on, but the dimmer is what is messing it all up. I just figured even the lowest dim setting wouldn't look like it is off. At night though, there is not a hint of light coming from any of the switches, EXCEPT my window switches!

Thoughts?

BMWManiac · « **Reply #12 on:** August 05, 2008, 07:11:19 PM »

Also, noticed that my window switch lights are on all the time, no matter if the headlights are on or not