db
On Fri, 13 Mar 1998 20:24:51 +0000, Barry Hodgetts

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<arkend…@demon.co.uk> wrote:
>The brake light switch has two cables out. One to the Test button unit
>And one to the "Circuit test switching unit" located at rear of car near
>Left light cluster. These cables are green/red. The other clue is the
>Number 54 on the terminal plugs, which is the code for brake lights
>Circuits.

>When you turn on the ignition the brake fail led comes on and only goes
>out when the brakes are first applied if they are both working.

>The other cable that looks interesting would be the green black from the
>"Circuit test switching unit" to the "test button unit".Ref 54KL
>I have not checked this but I guess this will change state when the
>Brake lights are illuminated.

>The fault would be a break in this cable or a fault on one of the units.

>My only experience was a broken track on the Test button unit causing an
>Intermittent fault stopping the flasher working. Easily fixed once
>Located.

>ba…@arkendale.demon.co.uk
>Barry Hodgetts

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>       I have had an 84 533i for about 3 months now and have thus-far
>enjoyed the car very much, but I have a question.  Since I got the
>car, the brake lamp warning LED in the overhead panel comes on as soon
>as I start the car, and will not reset.  I have not thought that much
>of it (it has become standard for me to hit the ‘test’ button to
>silence the dash flasher as soon as I start the car).
>       Then today a headlamp burned out (follow me with this for a
>second…) and I discovered that when you fix a problem, the LED
>*does* in fact go out and not return!  (imagine my suprise!<G>)
>Anyway, my brake lights are working fine, all contacts polished and
>greased.  I have measured the resistance across both bulbs (ie. from
>plate to plate=<5ohms).  
>       I am looking for anyone who may have wiring diags. or
>information that could tell me how the diag. board senses for the
>problem.  I assume that I have a wiring problem here and am open to
>all sugestions.  Thanx!
>               db

The brake light switch has two cables out. One to the Test button unit
And one to the "Circuit test switching unit" located at rear of car near
Left light cluster. These cables are green/red. The other clue is the
Number 54 on the terminal plugs, which is the code for brake lights
Circuits.

When you turn on the ignition the brake fail led comes on and only goes
out when the brakes are first applied if they are both working.

The other cable that looks interesting would be the green black from the
"Circuit test switching unit" to the "test button unit".Ref 54KL
I have not checked this but I guess this will change state when the
Brake lights are illuminated.

The fault would be a break in this cable or a fault on one of the units.

My only experience was a broken track on the Test button unit causing an
Intermittent fault stopping the flasher working. Easily fixed once
Located.

ba…@arkendale.demon.co.uk
Barry Hodgetts

>I had a brake light indicator come on.  Lifted the trunk and checked all
>brake lights.  All were fine, but the dad gum brake light failure indicator
>still came on.  Cleaned all contacts with no improvement.  Turned out the be
>the high mounted (center mounted brake light on the package shelf) that was
>burned out.  Did not see it for the longest time since the trunk lid was
>open for me to work on the "real" brake lights.  Boy was my wife glad when
>that indicator light finally went out.

>Moral:  Check ALL your brake lights.

>don

        Good thought.  My car doesn’t have a third brake light, but I
don’t know if it originally did or not.  The car may be searching for
the third lamp, and not finding it.  Hmmm.. What year is your model?

db

I too have an E28 (1987 535is). I may be mistaken, but it sounds like the
brake sensor is indicating low brake pads. You may want to check them. Also,
there is an E28 specific web page that might be able to help. I don’t have
the address, but there is another resource that I have found to be quite
helpful. The address is http://www.bestweb.net/~bretta/brakes.html . Best of
luck, and enjoy your beemer. CHEERS!!

If you wish to respond to me , please remove the nospam from my email
address.

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Denis Bradly Burns wrote in message <34ff5851.53879…@nntp.cntfl.com>…

I had a brake light indicator come on.  Lifted the trunk and checked all
brake lights.  All were fine, but the dad gum brake light failure indicator
still came on.  Cleaned all contacts with no improvement.  Turned out the be
the high mounted (center mounted brake light on the package shelf) that was
burned out.  Did not see it for the longest time since the trunk lid was
open for me to work on the "real" brake lights.  Boy was my wife glad when
that indicator light finally went out.

Moral:  Check ALL your brake lights.

don

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Denis Bradly Burns wrote in message <34ff5851.53879…@nntp.cntfl.com>…
> I have had an 84 533i for about 3 months now and have thus-far
>enjoyed the car very much, but I have a question.  Since I got the
>car, the brake lamp warning LED in the overhead panel comes on as soon
>as I start the car, and will not reset.  I have not thought that much
>of it (it has become standard for me to hit the ‘test’ button to
>silence the dash flasher as soon as I start the car).
> Then today a headlamp burned out (follow me with this for a
>second…) and I discovered that when you fix a problem, the LED
>*does* in fact go out and not return!  (imagine my suprise!<G>)
>Anyway, my brake lights are working fine, all contacts polished and
>greased.  I have measured the resistance across both bulbs (ie. from
>plate to plate=<5ohms).
> I am looking for anyone who may have wiring diags. or
>information that could tell me how the diag. board senses for the
>problem.  I assume that I have a wiring problem here and am open to
>all sugestions.  Thanx!
> db