No Reverse Lights Issue?

volksfragen · Mon, Jul-12-2010, 06:45:46 AM

Hey guys,

I recently purchased a used E46 M3 2003.5.
Before hand, I owned a heavily modded 2004 320i but decided to go with some more power

Ive participated on bimmerforums and a local BMW forum but I decided to come here for a strick E46 M3 community, so hello!

My first problem with the car is the Reverse Lights do not work when I shift into Reverse (has SMG transmission)

I have tested the bulbs, they are good. No bulb out indicator.
I have voltmetered the plug going to the bulb carrier and am not getting any power at all.

So that leads me to ask what could possibly be the problem.
is there a fuse strictly for the reverse lamps? all the other lights on the boot/rear all work properly.

Thanks guys!

Edit. I checked the fuse and its fine, also swapped for a working fuse and same issue.

mugenh22a4 · Mon, Jul-12-2010, 12:22:12 PM

I think if the reverse light fuse (if there is one) was blown, the light-out indicator would come on. Anybody know if the LCM controls the reverse lights?

chalaka · Mon, Jul-12-2010, 01:19:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by volksfragen

Hey guys,

I recently purchased a used E46 M3 2003.5.
Before hand, I owned a heavily modded 2004 320i but decided to go with some more power

Ive participated on bimmerforums and a local BMW forum but I decided to come here for a strick E46 M3 community, so hello!

My first problem with the car is the Reverse Lights do not work when I shift into Reverse (has SMG transmission)

I have tested the bulbs, they are good. No bulb out indicator.
I have voltmetered the plug going to the bulb carrier and am not getting any power at all.

So that leads me to ask what could possibly be the problem.
is there a fuse strictly for the reverse lamps? all the other lights on the boot/rear all work properly.

Thanks guys!

Edit. I checked the fuse and its fine, also swapped for a working fuse and same issue.

check your fuse box in the passenger side compartment ..
there is one dedicated for reverse light ..

i got mine fixed after replacing one of the fuses .. when installing the reverse camera, the technician fixed this on mine ... hope it helps

it didn't show error symbols on my dash.

and sorry i didn't note down the fuse he swapped out ..
you should be able to reference it out from the card you have for the fuses...

E46er4Life · Mon, Jul-12-2010, 02:30:47 PM

Maybe its the reverse light switch on the tranny acting up.

#9 in the diagram, p/n 23147524811

mugenh22a4 · Mon, Jul-12-2010, 03:08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chalaka

check your fuse box in the passenger side compartment ..
there is one dedicated for reverse light ..

i got mine fixed after replacing one of the fuses .. when installing the reverse camera, the technician fixed this on mine ... hope it helps

it didn't show error symbols on my dash.

and sorry i didn't note down the fuse he swapped out ..
you should be able to reference it out from the card you have for the fuses...

did you read his edit?

volksfragen · Tue, Jul-13-2010, 04:18:19 AM

As stated the fuse was fine.

I have done research on the Reverse Light Switch located in the tranny.

I am going to try that and I will let yall know what comes of it.

volksfragen · Thu, Jul-15-2010, 05:44:11 PM

Here's an update for everyone.

I got part 9 from that diagram, replaced it and problem solved!
I tested the old switch and it was completely pooched!

Thank you guys for the help, saved me like $300 from the stealership!

theBeachBoy · Thu, Sep-30-2010, 12:56:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by volksfragen

Here's an update for everyone.

I got part 9 from that diagram, replaced it and problem solved!
I tested the old switch and it was completely pooched!

Thank you guys for the help, saved me like $300 from the stealership!

For the information of anyone else using the handy search function like me, how hard is it to reach this switch?

Mine is probably fried as I have no reverse tilt mirror nor reverse lights...

boomr · Thu, Sep-30-2010, 03:36:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by volksfragen

Here's an update for everyone.

I got part 9 from that diagram, replaced it and problem solved!
I tested the old switch and it was completely pooched!

Thank you guys for the help, saved me like $300 from the stealership!

Had the same problem with my M3 I bought last summer. Checked the bulbs first (bulbs ok), checked the fuse second (fuse ok), & than replaced the switch on trans, bada bing, reverse lights have worked fine since than.

volksfragen · Thu, Sep-30-2010, 05:03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theBeachBoy

For the information of anyone else using the handy search function like me, how hard is it to reach this switch?

Mine is probably fried as I have no reverse tilt mirror nor reverse lights...

You have to take off like 2 plastic panels off the bottom of the car to access the transmission and the plus is right there. very Simple.

Mon, Jul-12-2010, 06:45:46 AM	#1
volksfragen Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 473 In the garage: '03 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Calgary, Alberta	No Reverse Lights Issue? Hey guys, I recently purchased a used E46 M3 2003.5. Before hand, I owned a heavily modded 2004 320i but decided to go with some more power Ive participated on bimmerforums and a local BMW forum but I decided to come here for a strick E46 M3 community, so hello! My first problem with the car is the Reverse Lights do not work when I shift into Reverse (has SMG transmission) I have tested the bulbs, they are good. No bulb out indicator. I have voltmetered the plug going to the bulb carrier and am not getting any power at all. So that leads me to ask what could possibly be the problem. is there a fuse strictly for the reverse lamps? all the other lights on the boot/rear all work properly. Thanks guys! Edit. I checked the fuse and its fine, also swapped for a working fuse and same issue. Last edited by volksfragen; Mon, Jul-12-2010 at 06:57:28 AM.

Mon, Jul-12-2010, 12:22:12 PM	#2
mugenh22a4 เป็นคนจีน Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 7,404 Reputation: 0 Location: Seattle	I think if the reverse light fuse (if there is one) was blown, the light-out indicator would come on. Anybody know if the LCM controls the reverse lights? __________________ 2008 ISF, Smokey Granite Mica on Black

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Mon, Jul-12-2010, 02:30:47 PM	#4
E46er4Life Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 223 Reputation: 0	Maybe its the reverse light switch on the tranny acting up. #9 in the diagram, p/n 23147524811

Tue, Jul-13-2010, 04:18:19 AM	#6
volksfragen Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 473 In the garage: '03 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Calgary, Alberta	As stated the fuse was fine. I have done research on the Reverse Light Switch located in the tranny. I am going to try that and I will let yall know what comes of it.

Thu, Jul-15-2010, 05:44:11 PM	#7
volksfragen Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 473 In the garage: '03 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Calgary, Alberta	Here's an update for everyone. I got part 9 from that diagram, replaced it and problem solved! I tested the old switch and it was completely pooched! Thank you guys for the help, saved me like $300 from the stealership!