Touring Lights

Wed Jul 22, 2009 12:41 am

Annoyingly, my drivers side rear light is playing up - The fault lights are on for the brake light and the rear main light. I've confirmed that there is nothing wrong with the brake light (it comes on when it should), but the main light is fooked - I've changed the bulb and still no joy. The other bulbs in the cluster all come on correctly, just not this one. Only two options - either the bulb holder is shot, or there is something awry with my wiring - Could someone who knows, let me know their thoughts! Please!

Wed Jul 22, 2009 12:43 am

Also, as I suspect the culprit is the bulb holder, i'm going to buy one off FleaBay. Are they all the same? Coupe/Touring/Saloon? Facelift.

Wed Jul 22, 2009 1:03 am

Touring lights are the same as any other E30 facelift lights, but there are at least three different designs of bulb holder (all interchangable) that are fitted to them.
One sort has exposed steel rods making up the wiring, and looks cheap and nasty, but in reality is probably the most reliable. The version that looks the best quality is the one that fails, IIRC.

Wed Jul 22, 2009 1:13 am

ChemicalAl wrote:Also, as I suspect the culprit is the bulb holder, i'm going to buy one off FleaBay. Are they all the same? Coupe/Touring/Saloon? Facelift.

Ive got a spare set if you want Al.

Im free wednesday night if you need it.

Wed Jul 22, 2009 1:28 am

Brilliant - Where are you in Edina? I'd be able to pop round tonight.
Let me know what you want for it and i'll sort you out with cash upon collection.
Thanks very much!

Wed Jul 22, 2009 1:30 am

ChemicalAl wrote:Brilliant - Where are you in Edina? I'd be able to pop round tonight.
Let me know what you want for it and i'll sort you out with cash upon collection.
Thanks very much!

Do you mean now or Wed night?

Im very near Fort Kinnaird.

Wed Jul 22, 2009 1:31 am

Just read your PM

Wed Jul 22, 2009 1:36 am

Cool - know the area.
PM me with full address, time and cost and i'll be there.
Cheers again!
Al

Thu Jul 23, 2009 6:27 am

Help - Changed the bulb holder (Thanks v much Sanchez!) and the main light still doesn't work. I'm assuming that this only leaves a wiring fault?! Does anyone know what I need to do now? I've checked the wiring on the wee black plug at the rear light and all seems fine

Thoughts and possible cost estimations very welcome!

Thu Jul 23, 2009 7:37 am

Where is the Lamp Check Module situated in the boot of the E30 Touring? I've tried to search on here for further info on the lighting issue and this seems like it could be a starting point?!
Brian Moooooore, please help!!

Thu Jul 23, 2009 10:36 am

Lamp check module is inside the LH cubby hole, high up, and semi hidden behind some metalwork. Has two plugs on it - one plug is the wires in and the second plug goes to the relevant rear lights.
Modules are usually very reliable, but dry joints inside are theoretically possible, or one of the plugs might not be fully on.
Does the corresponding front sidelight work OK? This is hard wired to the rear light, with no plugs and sockets in between, except for the check module ones.

Thu Jul 23, 2009 10:48 am

Hi Brian - cheers for coming back to me. All the front lights work - mains, full beams, parking lights, and fog lights.

Thu Jul 23, 2009 10:49 am

BTW - found the module and made sure that both plugs were in correctly.
Also checked all relevant fuses and nothing has blown.

Thu Jul 23, 2009 12:04 pm

Hi Al.

Do you have a multimeter where you can check to see for 12volts at the bulb holder?

Thu Jul 23, 2009 12:17 pm

Hi fella,
Yep, just about to start hunting the shed for it!
Pain in the ass this!

Thu Jul 23, 2009 2:34 pm

I have an 89' 325i Touring.. and had the same problems...

Looking at the bulbs I noticed that someone had fitted 5w bulbs in my reversing lamps... changed for the correct 10w bulbs and it solved the problem. No longer does the rear lights warning light come on.

Still everytime I start my car the stupid brake lights, light is on.. if I just dab the brake it disappears.. would rather it didnt come on at all though..

Thu Jul 23, 2009 2:41 pm

Leemc2009 wrote:Still everytime I start my car the stupid brake lights, light is on.. if I just dab the brake it disappears.. would rather it didnt come on at all though..

The control panel brake light is meant to come on when you start the car, my tourings brake lights are then on so you can check they work before you hit the brake pedal to turn it off.

I think it's a neat idea