Interior Lights Issue

Weste46 · 10-04-2012, 08:43 PM

My interior lights decided to stop turning on today. I got home and opened my door, and they did not turn on. I put the key in the ignition and turned it to position 1 and pushed the middle light, and got a small fade of light and then nothing. It happens every time now that I try this. The battery doesn't seem to be bad, the car starts just fine, and the trunk lights and smaller overhead lights turn on. So what's the issue? Thanks for any help!

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Weste46 · 10-04-2012, 08:44 PM

I forgot to say, the trunk lights and smaller lights turn on when car is off, and ALL lights turn on when car is on.

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Ice Cold · 10-04-2012, 09:09 PM

Did you check the fuse box?

hi its me alec · 10-04-2012, 09:11 PM

Check the fuse box, and check the two ash tray light bulbs for breakage or deterioration. The first time I took my center console out, I ripped the little rear ash tray light bulb off, and those two wires touched and shorted out all my interior lights. So it sounds like a similar issue here.

Weste46 · 10-04-2012, 09:23 PM

I wouldn't think it would be a fuse if it turns on at about 5% power EVERY time I pull my key out and put it back in. It never works twice, I always need to put the key back in. Could you send me a quick picture of what ashtray lights you're talking about? I'm not following fully. Thank you for the replies!

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Weste46 · 10-04-2012, 09:26 PM

When I got home I checked all connections to my angel eyes and one was shorting to the frame, I unplugged the AE's for now and covered anything from shorting any further. I don't see how this could relate though.. the lights work fine when car is on.

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Weste46 · 10-05-2012, 06:14 AM

Tried again this morning, same thing. I noticed they will turn on after the car is just turned off, but will not let me turn them back on (other than a brief low powered surge) until I start the car again.

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Weste46 · 10-05-2012, 02:09 PM

Okay, so ive always had a subtle pop come from under my hood after I turn my vehicle off. Now, as soon as the pop happens, that's when the lights stop working. Anything on this pop?

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Weste46 · 12-09-2012, 12:36 PM

I never updated and thought I should; there ended up being a short from my AEs on the footwell light, but never blew a fuse. took off my Orion Lites and all was well.

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christmascompany · 12-12-2012, 01:24 AM

Thanks for sharing the knowledge about Interior lights issue.

10-04-2012, 08:43 PM	#1
Weste46 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Westfield, IN Posts: 488 My Ride: 2001 330ci View My Garage	Interior Lights Issue My interior lights decided to stop turning on today. I got home and opened my door, and they did not turn on. I put the key in the ignition and turned it to position 1 and pushed the middle light, and got a small fade of light and then nothing. It happens every time now that I try this. The battery doesn't seem to be bad, the car starts just fine, and the trunk lights and smaller overhead lights turn on. So what's the issue? Thanks for any help! Sent from my DROID RAZR using Bimmer App __________________ Rule of Thirds: Three Pedals, Three Liters, Three Series.

10-04-2012, 08:44 PM	#2
Weste46 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Westfield, IN Posts: 488 My Ride: 2001 330ci View My Garage	I forgot to say, the trunk lights and smaller lights turn on when car is off, and ALL lights turn on when car is on. Sent from my DROID RAZR using Bimmer App __________________ Rule of Thirds: Three Pedals, Three Liters, Three Series.

10-04-2012, 09:09 PM	#3
Ice Cold Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 2,121 My Ride: 2005 330xi View My Garage	Did you check the fuse box? __________________ Follow Me On Instagram: JamesMarshall_E46 My Progress Thread - How To Set a Signature - Black Sedans FTMFW -James-

10-04-2012, 09:11 PM	#4
hi its me alec Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 14,790 My Ride: BMWs + 1988 Pathy View My Garage	Check the fuse box, and check the two ash tray light bulbs for breakage or deterioration. The first time I took my center console out, I ripped the little rear ash tray light bulb off, and those two wires touched and shorted out all my interior lights. So it sounds like a similar issue here. __________________

10-04-2012, 09:23 PM	#5
Weste46 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Westfield, IN Posts: 488 My Ride: 2001 330ci View My Garage	I wouldn't think it would be a fuse if it turns on at about 5% power EVERY time I pull my key out and put it back in. It never works twice, I always need to put the key back in. Could you send me a quick picture of what ashtray lights you're talking about? I'm not following fully. Thank you for the replies! Sent from my DROID RAZR using Bimmer App __________________ Rule of Thirds: Three Pedals, Three Liters, Three Series.

10-04-2012, 09:26 PM	#6
Weste46 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Westfield, IN Posts: 488 My Ride: 2001 330ci View My Garage	When I got home I checked all connections to my angel eyes and one was shorting to the frame, I unplugged the AE's for now and covered anything from shorting any further. I don't see how this could relate though.. the lights work fine when car is on. Sent from my DROID RAZR using Bimmer App __________________ Rule of Thirds: Three Pedals, Three Liters, Three Series.

10-05-2012, 06:14 AM	#7
Weste46 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Westfield, IN Posts: 488 My Ride: 2001 330ci View My Garage	Tried again this morning, same thing. I noticed they will turn on after the car is just turned off, but will not let me turn them back on (other than a brief low powered surge) until I start the car again. Sent from my DROID RAZR using Bimmer App __________________ Rule of Thirds: Three Pedals, Three Liters, Three Series.

10-05-2012, 02:09 PM	#8
Weste46 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Westfield, IN Posts: 488 My Ride: 2001 330ci View My Garage	Okay, so ive always had a subtle pop come from under my hood after I turn my vehicle off. Now, as soon as the pop happens, that's when the lights stop working. Anything on this pop? Sent from my DROID RAZR using Bimmer App __________________ Rule of Thirds: Three Pedals, Three Liters, Three Series.

12-09-2012, 12:36 PM	#9
Weste46 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Westfield, IN Posts: 488 My Ride: 2001 330ci View My Garage	I never updated and thought I should; there ended up being a short from my AEs on the footwell light, but never blew a fuse. took off my Orion Lites and all was well. Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX __________________ Rule of Thirds: Three Pedals, Three Liters, Three Series.

12-12-2012, 01:24 AM	#10
christmascompany Banned User Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 2 View My Garage	Thanks for sharing the knowledge about Interior lights issue.

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