Rear tail light problem

The rear tail lights on the left side are dim, the rear tail lights on the right side are bright. I checked the bulbs on the left and they are fine, but are dim (weak). I did notice the black plastic connector (wiring) that connects to the light bulb housing (holder) is burnt and one of the spade pins is burnt. Any DIY links for a fix? Likely, other BMW cars have had this same problem. Is this a ground wire problem? Need help and assistance. Car inspection time is coming. Thanks .

wow man, you got no help with this, i had the same problem, my entire light just went out

Originally Posted by jpupster

The rear tail lights on the left side are dim, the rear tail lights on the right side are bright. I checked the bulbs on the left and they are fine, but are dim (weak). I did notice the black plastic connector (wiring) that connects to the light bulb housing (holder) is burnt and one of the spade pins is burnt. Any DIY links for a fix? Likely, other BMW cars have had this same problem. Is this a ground wire problem? Need help and assistance. Car inspection time is coming. Thanks .

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=472357

plus more if you search

wow I have same problem, my left side is brighter than the right and the left side the ground wire is all burnt up and the connector is sort of broken, Could this be why that side is brighter than the other? Im positive its not the bulbs cause I switched them all around.

Im also getting some annoying bulb out warning on my right side for some reason AGHHHHH

Hey guys!! Perfect for you I just fixed mine.!!

Driver side was toasted for me pin 5 was gone totally black and burnt out and melted my light bulb holder, and the connector.

Did you guys want me to write up a DIY??

I'm guessing yes I call it... Tailight Connector/ Holder Fix.

It's a very common problem in E46's.

EDIT:

Refer to my guide guys. Hope it helps.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=516775

I had exactly the same problem, including the connector toasting. I suspect it started because the connector pins don't fit very tightly and with time they develop a high resistance. I twisted them all so that they press hard into the socket, and that fixed it.

I fixed my problem by just taking the ground wire and connecting it to the metal piece on the bulb housing. The other side where I was getting the "light out error" and it being dimmer than the otherside was fixed by simply replacing the back part (the bulb housing part) with an spare one I had lying around from my stock amber lights and it did the trick. No more light out error and the brightness is identical to the other side

I did the same thing as Sunny31. Worked great.

I had the exact same problem on my right side.....i checked and it was the ground wire that was loose in the connector so what i did was twist the whole light wire up while the lights were on and when i saw the lights get brighter i kept it in that position and tighten the light housing back in....everything has been fine ever since the warning went off also

I have the same problem with my left side being dimmer than my right side. I also have the problem with having a error on the passenger side. It comes on every now and then I guess Ill check out my ground wire on the left side.

Sunny31 - Can you explain to me how exactly you fixed the error code for the rear light. What do you mean by the back aprt of the housing? The part where you screw it in? Do I basically need to just replace the bulb so I dont get the error anymore? Thanks

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=512469