Tail light failure

[MPowerA7X]

Hey, I recently replaced my tail lights with the Depo clears to get rid of the orange, but I get the Tail Light Failure message on the screen though all bulbs are working. I searched around the forum and saw someone wrote that anything other than OEM lights will cause this. Is this true for the Depo's and is there a simple explanation for why this is happening and how I could go about fixing it? Much thanks...

[x2nervisx]

I have depo crystal clear tail lights and I don't have any failure messages.

[Scott May]

It can be very, very random. Lots of people get the message, some people dont.

How to fix it:

Either buy OEM tails.

Get use to the annoying amber light in your obc (i did this on my old car)

or go under the dashboard by your left leg, spend an hour splicing wires and such so that the check control module is tricked into thinking its all ok. Here is the DIY at bimmerforums -> TAIL LIGHT FAILURE Fix!!! Finally! =) - Bimmerforums - The Ultimate BMW Forum

[Paradigm_Guy]

You can do the above fix or buy a new pair of non-cheap tails. Going cheap doesn't pay.

[RacerJames666]

I live in Southeast Alaska, and I have an idea.
My M3 was doing the same thing, euro tails installed,aftermarket blued/amber turns, but the problem wasnt a constant. It wasnt till I washed the car the problem got worse. From what I can tell, water coming off the channels for the rear decklid goes straight into the taillights, moisture buildup as a result. Also, the harness connectors for the tails will hold a fair amount of water. The trick is:

Pull covers and harness(es).
Blow out water and any other moisture from female/male conn.
Super Lube on both sides of connector
re-connect
Volia!
Super Lube is available damn near anywhere, is water proof and used for boat applications,salt and fresh. Neat thing about it is its superior di-electric properties. I mean coat the shit out of whatever ails you! Its wonderous stuff indeed!

[Scott May]

well that may be an issue, but the main reason for this problem is because of... i think its the difference in the voltage it detects or something, its in the computer not the wires exactly.

but thats good to check too

[RacerJames666]

very true, although the difference in wattage is usually between led bulbs and standard incandesant bulbs. Blackout or other similar bulbs to stock ones usually carry the same wattage draw, but who really knows what the hell is up! These e36's are full of wonderous electrical problems!

I say good luck on your adventures! Hope all works itself out magically, as it often does for me on my 633csi. Gotta rub it with BMW Magic Dust, part#666-420-69-187

[MPowerA7X]

Thanks for the help. Right now I'm gonna just have to suck it up and deal with the Tail light failure message for the time being, since I really don't want to buy expensive oem's. I got these Depo's for 69.95, the message is a small price to pay for the cheap price i got them for. Hopefully I will replace them in the future.

[RacerJames666]

The bulb holders. Was getting the message yesterday, and after much fiddling around, discovered that the spring clip inside the bulb holder wasnt providing much pressure to lock the bulb in the holder. Took my key and bent it out so the spring pressure was increased, bulb firmly locked in the holder this time. So far, havent had the obc say a damn word. And, I should add that the watery connectors on my tails produced the brake light circut failure message, not bulb failure. I also have the depo euro tails, and noticed the bulb holders dont fit in super securely, one in peticular has to be just so. My advice is to get some monkey to sit in the drivers seat with the lights on and the brake depresed, and you fiddle around with the bulbs to see why its not getting contact. process of elimination. The bulbs shouldnt have anything to do with it, provided they 5 watt bulbs for turn signal, 21/4 watt for brake/running lights(two fillament) and 21 watt for single fillament. Leds are waaaay less draw, and makes your computer think there is little to no bulb happening. Hope that helps some, as I been down this road for couple weeks and I think its over(fingers crossed)

JP