Have you ever been driving your BMW at night, only to suddenly discover that one or both of your tail lights have ceased to function? It is a situation that can easily cause uneasiness to any driver no matter how experienced they are. A faulty tail light is not just an inconvenience—it’s a risk to the safety of the driver, passengers, and other road users.
If your tail lights are flickering, not lighting up, or doing some other weird stuff, then it’s high time to sort it out. Luckily, most of the issues with tail lights can be easily fixed if one has some practical skills and the right equipment. Here, we want to take a closer look at the potential problems related to the BMW tail light assembly and how you can solve them to keep your car in good shape and ready for the road.
Identifying and Fixing the Problem
Burnt-Out Bulbs
Faulty bulbs are the most common issue with tail lights. As time goes by, the bulb can get damaged or burnt out and this makes the light not work again. If one or more of your tail lights are not lighting up, then it is most likely a result of a burnt bulb. It is a simple problem that usually requires swapping the bad bulb with a new one.
Faulty Wiring
If the bulbs are fine then the problem could be the wiring. Broken wires can make the tail lights to blink or not to light up at all. This could be due to many factors including improper connections, faulty cables or even rusting. Look at the wiring that comes to the tail light assembly to see if there are signs of wear or if the connection is loose. A multimeter can help you check for continuity and also check whether power is getting to the tail lights.
Damaged Lens
This covering is important to protect the bulb and internal part of the tail light from harsh weather conditions. If the lens is cracked or broken, moisture can penetrate through the holes and get to the light. When the bulb is exposed to moisture, it may burn out quickly or develop some electrical problems. A cracked lens is also not effective in reflecting the light to other cars on the road. Examine the lens for any signs of crack or breakage and if that is the case then the lens needs to be replaced before attending to the bulb.
Electrical Problems
Modern cars including your BMW have complex wiring and numerous electronic components. It is linked to tail lights, which implies that problems can sometimes originate in other electrical parts rather than the assembly of the tail light. Some of the known electrical issues that may affect a car include fuse issues, faulty control modules or complications with the car’s onboard computer.
If you cannot still turn on the tail lights after you have eliminated other possibilities it is advised to check the fuses. Check the tail light fuse, which may be in the trunk or under the dashboard of the car. It is relatively easy to change a blown fuse although you should ensure that the correct amperage fuse is used.
Seek Professional Help
While many tail light issues can be fixed at home with basic tools and some patience, some problems might be beyond your expertise. If you’ve tried the above steps and the tail lights are still not working, it might be time to visit a professional mechanic. They have the tools and knowledge to diagnose and fix more complex issues.
Visit Our Nearest Workshop To Have Your BMW Serviced
If you are in Texas or Georgia and you need mechanics to work on luxurious European cars, then you can trust our mechanics at European Service Center. We have 4 branches within each state and this makes our services available to people in; Cumming, Norcross, Alpharetta, Chamblee, Duluth, Dunwoody, Buckhead, Roswell, Atlanta in Georgia as well as Houston, and Dallas in Texas.
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to replace the tail light on your BMW, don’t worry, we are here to assist you. You just bring your car to our workshop and our qualified BMW mechanics will use the latest equipment for the repair. Visit our website now and look for the nearest workshop to your home to book an appointment.