Both backup and one tail light are out. Voltage to socket until you put a bulb in???

tritone88 · 02-11-2013, 04:53 PM

This is really weird or maybe not to those who know the answer. Have a 2006 E90 sedan. Both backup lights and the right tail light in the trunk are out. First swapped out all bulbs, tail light still out. Then swapped the bulb carrier left to right and still no light. Tested voltage across socket with bulb out and it shows 12 volts. Then put brand new bulb back in and voltage disappears!!!!!!????? Remove bulb and 12 volts reappears. I have never seen this before. Any suggestions? The FRM module?

I can't believe it is a trunk wiring break as I've read since there is in fact voltage to the sockets until a good bulb is put in.

Thanks

atinybug · 02-11-2013, 05:22 PM

Maybe you're using the wrong type of bulb? I remember on my old e46 I didn't know any better and put a bulb with the metal part being copper or something, and for some reason it screwed up the wiring back there and even affected the headlights. It can only use the ones with the silver colored metal parts.

tritone88 · 02-12-2013, 09:37 AM

Thanks for your reply. I'm using the standard BMW OEM bulbs.

02-11-2013, 04:53 PM	#1
tritone88 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Santa Rosa, Ca Posts: 13 My Ride: 2001 325i	Both backup and one tail light are out. Voltage to socket until you put a bulb in??? This is really weird or maybe not to those who know the answer. Have a 2006 E90 sedan. Both backup lights and the right tail light in the trunk are out. First swapped out all bulbs, tail light still out. Then swapped the bulb carrier left to right and still no light. Tested voltage across socket with bulb out and it shows 12 volts. Then put brand new bulb back in and voltage disappears!!!!!!????? Remove bulb and 12 volts reappears. I have never seen this before. Any suggestions? The FRM module? I can't believe it is a trunk wiring break as I've read since there is in fact voltage to the sockets until a good bulb is put in. Thanks Last edited by tritone88; 02-11-2013 at 04:55 PM.

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02-11-2013, 05:22 PM	#2
atinybug Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Atlanta Posts: 190 My Ride: e92 335i	Maybe you're using the wrong type of bulb? I remember on my old e46 I didn't know any better and put a bulb with the metal part being copper or something, and for some reason it screwed up the wiring back there and even affected the headlights. It can only use the ones with the silver colored metal parts.

02-12-2013, 09:37 AM	#3
tritone88 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Santa Rosa, Ca Posts: 13 My Ride: 2001 325i	Thanks for your reply. I'm using the standard BMW OEM bulbs.