left tail lights are not working .. HELP!!

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Massachusetts
#1
Hi everybody // i have a 1993 bmw 318is and my left tail light and front left corner are not working...


Hi everybody... I'm new to this.. so give me a break if I did something wrong... Ok 1st of all.. I had to replace my left corner lense and had to buy new wires for the bulb socket because someone stole it [:(] ... I bought the wires from the dealership for 17 bucks.. WOW just for 3 wires... pretty expensive...

ok here's the deal... the original wires (harness) was colored coded... green/black lined.. etc... the harness that the dealer gave me was all green... I didn't know what to do.. so i tried to wire them all together ... i checked to see if the bulb was working.. only the signal light is working, but when i turn on the lights, it doesnt turn on...

for the rear tail light, I checked the bulbs, and they were fine... i dont know what is wrong!!! help me!!!.. is it the fuse?? i dont know.. help me please!!!
 
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Location
CT
#2
Check the fuses. The left and right tails run off different fuses in case you do blow one, the other side still works
 
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Location
N.E. Ohio
#3
For the rear tail lights . . . Take cover off and then take out the light bulbs and then take out the tail light itself. Take off the black cover and you should see a thin metal template. You need to clean the area's where the bulb holders make contact. Clean off all corrosion.

Hope this helps . . .
 
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Location
N.E. Ohio
#4
Ok . . . I found this . . but it's the Canadain version . . . it's from a bentley Manual.

I hope this helps . . . I can send you the larger version . . just PM me

 

epj3

Senior Member
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Lancaster, PA
#5
Sky city, that is just a blank image [rofl] Sorry it just made me chuckle a little [:)]

My friends e36 has the same problem. The tail light bulb holder design is a pretty dumb design. There's a metal plate that the bulb holder's supposed to make contact with...well, the contacts wear down, corrode (like someone already mentioned), etc.
 
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Location
N.E. Ohio
#11
johnnybmw1 said:
wut does the bulb holder look like???
Go into your trunk . . . take off the cover that is on the tail lights . . . . and there are 5 things that are sticking out . . may grey or black or white. If you twist them I believe counter clock wise they come out and that's the bulbs holder.

Holds in your brake lights and back up and parking lights.
 
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Location
N.E. Ohio
#12
johnnybmw1 said:
how do i know if a fuse is blown or not?? what am i suppose to look for?? what does a blown fuse look like?? sorry for the dumb questions.. I a newbie at cars

1. Open fuse box and press latch and remove lid.
2. Pull out fuses of the defective circuit with the removal tool.
3. Change blown fuse (Melted Metal Strip) and insert new fuse.
 


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