Tail lamps randomly not working
#1
Tail lamps randomly not working
Hi fellow MINIacs,
My 2004 MCS is suffering from a random tail lamp failure. All my bulbs are working when I check them, please bear that in mind, but I've been pulled over by another motorist on two separate occasions in the past few months, telling me that I have absolutely no tail lamps lit, whether turning, braking or just driving along.
When I have checked them, they're all working. So it seems that this is randomly occurring. I'm not sure if it happens after a period of time, and possibly because the bulbs are heating up to a point where something cuts off?
I'm using the MINI clear tail lamp housings, (shown with ignition turned off above), and to get rid of the dreaded "fried egg" look inside the lights, I changed to the silver mirror-coated bulbs (which are OEM parts, mind you).
I have had this set up going smoothly for probably 10 years now, until this recent problem.
Again, the bulbs all work when I check them out last night, but maybe it's the bulbs somehow? Maybe the mirror coating makes them hold heat longer, and somehow causes a "safety shutdown" or something? I'm obviously not an electrician, so looking for your expertise, guys.
They are NOT LED bulbs, by the way. They're OEM replacement bulbs:
The top and bottom bulbs:
http://new.minimania.com/part/NMA330...ilver-Oem-Gen1
The middle bulb: http://new.minimania.com/part/NMA330...Clear-Oem-Gen1
Let me know if you have seen this strange phenomenon at all before, and what I might do to remedy this situation.
Thanks, guys!
-Jonnieoh
My 2004 MCS is suffering from a random tail lamp failure. All my bulbs are working when I check them, please bear that in mind, but I've been pulled over by another motorist on two separate occasions in the past few months, telling me that I have absolutely no tail lamps lit, whether turning, braking or just driving along.
When I have checked them, they're all working. So it seems that this is randomly occurring. I'm not sure if it happens after a period of time, and possibly because the bulbs are heating up to a point where something cuts off?
I'm using the MINI clear tail lamp housings, (shown with ignition turned off above), and to get rid of the dreaded "fried egg" look inside the lights, I changed to the silver mirror-coated bulbs (which are OEM parts, mind you).
I have had this set up going smoothly for probably 10 years now, until this recent problem.
Again, the bulbs all work when I check them out last night, but maybe it's the bulbs somehow? Maybe the mirror coating makes them hold heat longer, and somehow causes a "safety shutdown" or something? I'm obviously not an electrician, so looking for your expertise, guys.
They are NOT LED bulbs, by the way. They're OEM replacement bulbs:
The top and bottom bulbs:
http://new.minimania.com/part/NMA330...ilver-Oem-Gen1
The middle bulb: http://new.minimania.com/part/NMA330...Clear-Oem-Gen1
Let me know if you have seen this strange phenomenon at all before, and what I might do to remedy this situation.
Thanks, guys!
-Jonnieoh
#2
Moving you to the Stock Problems/Issues area.
OK, Syracuse the "Salt City" so the question is whether the car has been driven during the winter, the type of weather when the roads are white not from snow but dried on salt.
I would check the wiring harness to see if any wires are broken inside. Would think a bare wire would cause a blown fuse. Could be a ground issue as well, would need to determine what ground point the light circuit is run to.
OK, Syracuse the "Salt City" so the question is whether the car has been driven during the winter, the type of weather when the roads are white not from snow but dried on salt.
I would check the wiring harness to see if any wires are broken inside. Would think a bare wire would cause a blown fuse. Could be a ground issue as well, would need to determine what ground point the light circuit is run to.
#3
#5
Hi fellow MINIacs,
My 2004 MCS is suffering from a random tail lamp failure. All my bulbs are working when I check them, please bear that in mind, but I've been pulled over by another motorist on two separate occasions in the past few months, telling me that I have absolutely no tail lamps lit, whether turning, braking or just driving along.
When I have checked them, they're all working. So it seems that this is randomly occurring. I'm not sure if it happens after a period of time, and possibly because the bulbs are heating up to a point where something cuts off?
I'm using the MINI clear tail lamp housings, (shown with ignition turned off above), and to get rid of the dreaded "fried egg" look inside the lights, I changed to the silver mirror-coated bulbs (which are OEM parts, mind you).
I have had this set up going smoothly for probably 10 years now, until this recent problem.
Again, the bulbs all work when I check them out last night, but maybe it's the bulbs somehow? Maybe the mirror coating makes them hold heat longer, and somehow causes a "safety shutdown" or something? I'm obviously not an electrician, so looking for your expertise, guys.
They are NOT LED bulbs, by the way. They're OEM replacement bulbs:
The top and bottom bulbs:
http://new.minimania.com/part/NMA330...ilver-Oem-Gen1
The middle bulb: http://new.minimania.com/part/NMA330...Clear-Oem-Gen1
Let me know if you have seen this strange phenomenon at all before, and what I might do to remedy this situation.
Thanks, guys!
-Jonnieoh
My 2004 MCS is suffering from a random tail lamp failure. All my bulbs are working when I check them, please bear that in mind, but I've been pulled over by another motorist on two separate occasions in the past few months, telling me that I have absolutely no tail lamps lit, whether turning, braking or just driving along.
When I have checked them, they're all working. So it seems that this is randomly occurring. I'm not sure if it happens after a period of time, and possibly because the bulbs are heating up to a point where something cuts off?
I'm using the MINI clear tail lamp housings, (shown with ignition turned off above), and to get rid of the dreaded "fried egg" look inside the lights, I changed to the silver mirror-coated bulbs (which are OEM parts, mind you).
I have had this set up going smoothly for probably 10 years now, until this recent problem.
Again, the bulbs all work when I check them out last night, but maybe it's the bulbs somehow? Maybe the mirror coating makes them hold heat longer, and somehow causes a "safety shutdown" or something? I'm obviously not an electrician, so looking for your expertise, guys.
They are NOT LED bulbs, by the way. They're OEM replacement bulbs:
The top and bottom bulbs:
http://new.minimania.com/part/NMA330...ilver-Oem-Gen1
The middle bulb: http://new.minimania.com/part/NMA330...Clear-Oem-Gen1
Let me know if you have seen this strange phenomenon at all before, and what I might do to remedy this situation.
Thanks, guys!
-Jonnieoh
I'd suspect there's a multi-pin connector somewhere that is loose or corroded or perhaps heating up & losing connectivity. My Haynes manual doesn't show connectors.
Otherwise, it's the Lighting or Body Control Module $$$.
If it happens again, see if any of the front lights are affected.
#6
If it truly affects ALL the rear lights, then I think you're looking for a single point of failure, since there are multiple circuits involved.
I'd suspect there's a multi-pin connector somewhere that is loose or corroded or perhaps heating up & losing connectivity. My Haynes manual doesn't show connectors.
Otherwise, it's the Lighting or Body Control Module $$$.
If it happens again, see if any of the front lights are affected.
I'd suspect there's a multi-pin connector somewhere that is loose or corroded or perhaps heating up & losing connectivity. My Haynes manual doesn't show connectors.
Otherwise, it's the Lighting or Body Control Module $$$.
If it happens again, see if any of the front lights are affected.
#7
Oh geez, you guys have some good suggestions, but you're worrying me if it's that expensive Body Control Module... I do have a "rainroof", as you so eloquently put it. And if memory serves, I've already replaced one of those <<gulp>>
I'll check the grounds first. Fingers crossed.
Thanks for the suggestions, guys!
I'll check the grounds first. Fingers crossed.
Thanks for the suggestions, guys!
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#9
#10
I would check those connects in the trunk first. For both sides to not work is weird and could be a BCM issue https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...rd-issues.html if it got wet. I have not seen anything weird with the oem clear taillights other then they can burn out one by one, and its a full panel replacement as they are soldered in.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ide-lamps.html
That's where I would start. I believe the wire hareness connects and goes up the right hand side of the car in behind the trim if I remember right.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ide-lamps.html
That's where I would start. I believe the wire hareness connects and goes up the right hand side of the car in behind the trim if I remember right.
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MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
#11
Shoppingtown is a shell of its' former self. The Carousel Center Mall expanded about 8 years ago by A LOT; now called "Destiny USA", a terrible name for a mall. But it's making the other malls around the area die.
Take care!
-Jon